US State Department Discontinues ‘Global Undergraduate Exchange Program’ for Pakistan

The U.S. Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP), which has been a prominent institution since its founding in 1950 through the joint efforts of the U.S. and Pakistan governments, has announced the conclusion of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) for Pakistan.

This decision, communicated officially by the U.S. Department of State, marks the end of a 15-year legacy of educational exchange. The program has been instrumental in offering students invaluable academic, cultural, and leadership development opportunities.

In a formal statement, USEFP expressed regret over the program’s termination, recognizing the disappointment for those students who had applied for this year’s cohort. “The Global UGRAD Program has made a significant impact, empowering thousands of students and enriching communities both in Pakistan and the United States,” the statement read.

The Global UGRAD program has served as a vital platform for fostering mutual understanding and strengthening ties between Pakistan and the U.S. It has left a lasting legacy by creating a network of globally-conscious alumni. Despite the program’s discontinuation, its impact will continue to inspire future educational and cultural exchanges.

In light of this development, education advocates in Pakistan are calling for the creation of new programs to continue the spirit of international educational exchange that Global UGRAD embodied.