PESHAWAR: US Consul General William Martin welcomed home on Sunday 11 students and faculty members from the University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar, who recently completed a semester at Arizona State University.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded the exchange programme, which offered participants an opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research relating to Pakistan’s energy challenges, according to a statement.

Mr Martin urged the students and faculty to put their new skills and experiences to use locally.

“By providing opportunities to promising young researchers, we hope to break down barriers for the creators and the innovators who will find solutions to the development challenges facing Pakistan and the world,” said Mr Martin.

A programme participant, Mohammad Ishaq, said that the exchange visit was a valuable opportunity not only to improve his research skills but also to experience American culture and make new friends.

Approximately, 100 students and faculty members from the UET, Peshawar, would have the opportunity to carry out applied energy research at Arizona State University over the next four years as part of USAID’s $127 million US-Pakistan Centres for Advanced Studies in Energy programme.

To date, USAID has provided more than 15,000 scholarships for Pakistani students and researchers to pursue their studies in Pakistan and America.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2016