The United States' Fulbright Scholarship programme for Pakistan is the largest in the world and it will be doubled next year to accommodate more Pakistani students to pursue Master's and Ph.Ds degrees in US universities. This was stated by the US Consul General William J Martin while speaking at a leadership conference jointly organised by US Consulate and Blink to commemorate UN international Youth Day at a local hotel here on Friday.
He said that more than 8,000 Pakistanis have participated in fully funded academic or professional development programmes in the United States. About 5,000 Pakistani youth are currently enrolled in US government funded English language programme in Pakistan, he added.
Martin pointed out that US government has a sincere interest in supporting programmes that invest in the future of Pakistan's young people. He said that Pakistani youth are using their innovative spirit to revolutionise their society and communities and added that the youth can change the communities and societies and the direction of future course.
He said young people enjoy tremendous power in Pakistan as they constitute 63 percent of the total population. They must utilise this advantage to change the society. You are the vanguard of future generation and you must inspire the change, he noted. Martin said that not only Pakistani students are sponsored to study in USA, but American youth will also be supported during 2011-12 to come to Pakistan under exchange programme.