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The
Fulbright program was the main focus of activity
in May and June. In a last push for recruitment,
USEFP extended the deadline for the 2012 Fulbright
competition and announced it in a DVC with 37
universities arranged through the Higher Education
Commission (HEC) as well as in a press event. The
announcement was picked up by the top-rated
national talk-show of Pakistan: GEO TV’s “Aaj
Kamran Khan Kay Saath” giving USEFP and the
Fulbright Program unprecedented visibility.
Another high-profile event was the Pre-departure
Orientation for 126 Fulbright Masters and PhD
grantees held at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad on
June 29-30. The Chief Guests on the occasion were
Dr. Javaid Laghari, Chairman HEC, and Mr. Mark
Davidson, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy.
Ms. Theresa Drake, Program Officer, South and
Central Asia Division, Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State, flew
in from Washington D.C. to take part. The
orientation was preceded by a dinner hosted by the
U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Ambassador
Richard E. Hoagland, at his residence. In May, 60
Community College Initiative Program grantees were
also given a pre-departure orientation. Ms. Mary
Beth Hartenstine, Program Manager, Community
Colleges for International Development, Inc. (CCID)
and Ms. Patrice M. Boulous, Project Coordinator
and Assistant Director, Admissions / International
Students, Northampton Community College,
Pennsylvania traveled from the U.S. for the
occasion. A Pre-departure Orientation for incoming
U.S. Scholar grantees was held in Washington D.C.
on June 21-23. Executive Director Rita Akhtar and
Program Manager Saleem Razaque were able to attend
and brief the seven scholars slated to travel to
Pakistan on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program
in the coming year.
A big event for USEFP’s EducationUSA advising
centers was the News Educational Expo. (The News
is the second leading English newspaper of
Pakistan.) Held in Islamabad on June 11-12,
Karachi on June 18-19, and Lahore on June 27-28,
the Expo attracted more than 9000 potential
students and parents. Educational advisers had an
opportunity to talk to hundreds of students
considering studying in the U.S. A summer camp was
organized by USEFP from June 3-24 to give
concentrated assistance to graduate and
undergraduate students in the process of applying
to U.S. colleges or universities. As a follow up
to the South Asia Tour that traveled to Islamabad
in March, 40 O/A‘ Level students will be visiting
Valparaiso University, Indiana in July 2011. The
visit will enable them to learn about the
opportunities, expectations, and rewards of
American higher education.
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