KARACHI: US to increase funding in many education schemes
KARACHI, April 3: The United States is keen to contribute towards the promotion of education in Pakistan. This was stated by the US consul-general in Karachi, Douglas C. Rohn, while expressing his views at a get-together here on Saturday night. The director of US educational foundation in Pakistan, Dr Grace Clark and Consul Officer Terry Steers-Gonzalez of US embassy in Islamabad, were also present on the occasion.
Mr Rohn pointed out that most of the financial allocations of the USAID in Pakistan were towards primary education while some of the money was diverted for the higher studies.
He was of the view that the US wanted a good system of education in Pakistan which was a high priority country especially in view of its geo-strategic location.
The US consul-general further said that the USAID was also planning to fund master’s degree programmes in the country.
Dr Clark spoke in detail about the Fulbright Programme for the study in the United States, and the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Programme.
It was pointed out that the Fulbright/USAID Fellowship Programme seeks to improve mutual understanding between the people of the two countries through academic exchange.
According to Dr Clark the application deadline was May 27 for 2005-07, this programme would fund two years of graduate study in the United States for a master’s degree programme. In addition to academic work, persons selected were expected to share information about Pakistani life and culture with their US colleagues and community groups in the US.
She said that the Fulbright/ USAID Fellowship Programme was meant for all disciplines especially arts, humanities and social sciences as well as the pure and applied sciences with the exception of clinical medical field and MBA.
Grant funds provide tuition, textbooks, air fare, basic living stipend and health insurance.
Applicants must have taken the GRE. They must possess a high level of fluency in spoken and written English and a TOEFL score of 220 or higher or be willing to register for and take the TOEFL examination before the final selection process.
Successful applicants must be committed to serve Pakistan in the public or private sector, the participants were informed.
It was also pointed out that Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Programme was for the mid-career professional study in the US. The application deadline for the 2006-07 programme was June 3. This was a non-degree 10-month programme of academic study.
Dr Clark stressed that it was important that the applications, complete in all respects, were submitted on time.
She said the academic record of the applicant, proficiency in English language and the reason for pursuing such a programme would also count as far as the selection process was concerned.
Dr Clark cited one example in which an applicant was unable to be selected in 14 consecutive attempt but was ultimately selected in the 15th attempt.
Replying to a question, she pointed out that last year there were about 900 applicants from Pakistan for the Fulbright Programme.
Consul Officer Terry Steers-Gonzalez also spoke.—APP
