ISLAMABAD, Aug 13: Overwhelmed by pride, Munaza Ashraf had never thought that her daughter Hafsa Ashraf would win a scholarship to the US. But that was before the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) stepped in.

Hafsa Ashraf is among the 26 local government high school students who were selected for a two-week science and technology exchange programme in Washington.

“I’ve never thought she will achieve something this big. I’m very proud of Hafsa. I hope she uses this as a stepping stone to greater things,” said Munaza while holding a camera as she waited for her daughter to pose for a picture with the US embassy representatives.

A tenth grader, Hafsa is a student of F.G. Girls Model School, Humak, and she has never grabbed anything but first or second position in her academic career.

The exchange programme is part of the USAID’s $90 million Links to Learning (ED-LINKS) programme, which will teach the students web development, digital photography and video production. The first batch of students – 14 boys and 12 girls – under this programme has representation of both rural and urban areas of Islamabad.

Speaking at a send-off ceremony organised at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on Wednesday, USAID Mission Director Anne Aarnes said: “I know your parents and teachers are proud of your high academic achievements and your selection for this programme.”

She underlined the need for building “cross-cultural understanding” and termed exchange programmes as the “first step of broadening world view” of the participating students.

“You are going to have once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience American life firsthand, while also learning more about the latest information technology,” Ms Aarnes said, adding that: “I know that you will be proud and effective representatives of Pakistan, and that you will form rewarding friendships with the American students and teachers you meet.”

Asad Khattaq, a tenth grader from F.G. Boys Model School, G-9/4, Islamabad, has been at the top of his class since first grade. A high achiever, he has always aimed for above 80 per cent marks. “I will be representing Pakistan and I’m proud of this honour,” Asad said.

ED-LINKS will send up to 30 students each from Balochistan, Sindh and Islamabad every year. Students are selected on merit basis from underprivileged households in these areas. The ED-LINKS programme woks in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Pakistan.