Over a 100 Pakistan students have been selected to participate in a United States government-funded exchange programme which allows students to study in an American college or university for a semester.

On Friday, a pre-departure orientation was organised in Islamabad by the United States Education Foundation Pakistan (USEFP) to brief the Pakistani students who will proceed to the US in fall as part of Global Undergraduate Exchange Programme (Global UGRAD).

Speaking at the event, US Ambassador David Hale congratulated the students participating in the programme, a US Embassy Islamabad press release said.

“The United States has a long tradition of embracing international students, and I am certain that each of you will represent your nation well and return home to Pakistan with new ideas and skills,” he said.

USEFP Executive Director Rita Akhtar said the exchange programme was more than just an academic experience.

“It is an opportunity to explore community service programmes, to share your culture with the Americans you meet, and to broaden your perspective in other ways.”

The 100 Pakistani students who will take part in Global UGRAD this year hail from every region of the country and will pursue a broad range of academic fields including engineering, business administration, and sciences at US universities.

Since it was launched in 2010, nearly 1,400 Pakistani students have participated in Global UGRAD.