The US government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is sponsoring a two-week study tour for 27 deans and faculty members from Pakistani universities nation-wide as well as provincial Secretaries of Education at Columbia University, New York. The tour is designed to enhance these Pakistani education professionals' capacity for strategic planning and policy development.
"Pakistan and the US have enjoyed a long and close co-operation in higher education that spans more than 50 years and covers a variety of disciplines from science and medicine to teacher training. This USAID-funded study tour is yet another expression of the US government's long-term commitment to Pakistan and is having a transformational impact on teacher-education," said Karen Freeman, USAID Deputy Mission Director.
Furqan Bahadur Khan, Additional Secretary for Inter-Provincial Co-ordination, appreciated the efforts of the US. government for improving the quality of education across the country. The USAID-funded study tour will provide an opportunity for university professors and senior officials to observe the US educational system first-hand and to establish long-term collaborative relationships with their US counterparts. The training will be, especially useful as these professionals return to Pakistan and help the provinces develop educational systems as mandated by Pakistan's 18th amendment.-PR