ISLAMABAD, April 6: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) have agreed to enhance Fulbright Programme in Pakistan to $90 million. This was announced by the US ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C. Crocker at a ceremony held at his residence here on Wednesday. The HEC chairman, Dr Attaur Rehman, and Federal Education Minister Lt Gen (retired) Javed Ashraf Qazi were also present on the occasion.

The planned expansion will make Fulbright Programme in Pakistan among the world’s largest, Mr Crocker said, adding, the programme will enable 500-600 Pakistanis to pursue their Master’s level studies in the US.

The Fulbright Programme, administrated by the US State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs through the binational US Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP), is the US government’s flagship educational exchanges programme, he said. The students are awarded Fulbright scholarships on open merit basis.

He said USAID was providing $15 million to the programme this year and planned to provide the same amount each year over the next four years for a total of $75 million. This will make the US government’s support for this programme in Pakistan the largest for any Fulbright degree programme, the ambassador said. However, the US Congress must approve the planned commitment each year, he said.

The $15 million provided this year will enable 112 Pakistani students to complete their Master’s degree programme at the best US universities, he added.

Talking about the strict visa procedures for students adopted after 9/11, Mr Crocker said all over the world, including Islamabad, visa process was being streamlined for students.

It is a major investment, and on the basis of such programmes, the relationship between the US and Pakistan will be further strengthened, he said.

“This USAID contribution, and our plan for similar contributions in next years, represents a major investment in Pakistan’s future. It is also great way to build mutual understanding and lasting personal and professional ties between Pakistanis and Americans,” he said.

Under the cooperation between the USAID and the HEC, the latter will provide the programme $15 million or $3 million each year over the next five years. A matching amount of $15 million will be provided by the USAID. These funds will be used to provide scholarships for Pakistanis students to do their PhDs in the US.

The master’s programme, which is of two years, will be called the Fulbright/USAID Fellowship and the doctoral programme, which usually is of three to four years, will be called the Fulbright/HEC/USAID Fellowship. However, this PhD programme needs approval of J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Attaur Rehman said: The $30 million Fulbright doctoral programme, with $15 million coming from Pakistan and $15 million from the United States, is hopefully the beginning of a long-lasting cooperation between the two countries in the field of higher education and science and technology, Dr Atta said.