ISLAMABAD, March 1: Dr James Eldin Reed, president of Massachusetts Fulbright Association, on Tuesday called for making efforts to promote ‘mutual understanding’ between the peoples of Pakistan and the United States.

“There is a dire need to increase the study of United States in Pakistan as well as to increase the study of Pakistan in the US to promote mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries,” Dr Reed told a session on ‘Increasing knowledge of the US in Pakistan’.

The talk, arranged by United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP), was attended by the academia from leading educational institutions of Pakistan and the National Fulbright Alumni Association.

Dr Reed, working on a project to establish US study centres in various Pakistani universities, said compared to other countries in the region such as India, China and even Europe, the study of US is generally neglected in Pakistan.

“Pakistanis are an important part of the US community. They have been making significant contributions as professionals, teachers, students, and even in the arts and culture including important contributions to the American literature.” Still, he said Pakistan has been overlooked also in the US universities with more focus on other countries in the region.

USEFP Executive Director Rita Akhtar encouraged the audience to look into opportunities available to Pakistani students and scholars on USEFP administered programs, and in particular the Fulbright degree program scholarships announced last week .“I am extremely happy to see so many educators and researchers from academia at this event,” she said.

“I hope that in addition to building linkages and to improve educational curriculum in Pakistan, you will encourage your students and colleagues to apply for the recently announced Fulbright awards. We are very fortunate to be able to administer the world’s largest Fulbright program in Pakistan.”