KARACHI: U.S. Consul General JoAnne Wagner today participated in a convocation ceremony at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), Jamshoro, during which she joined Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in handing out degrees and medals to the students graduating from the U.S.-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCAS-W).  These 40 graduates are among the students who also participated in exchange visits at the University of Utah in the United States under the program funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The Chief Minister expressed his appreciation for USAID support and thanked the people of the United States for supporting education and health projects in the province.

“Make a difference and be the change that builds Pakistan’s tomorrow,” Consul General Wagner said, motivating the graduates. “With your newly acquired skills and knowledge, you are ready to make important contributions to enhance access to clean water, sanitation, and proper hygiene; protect water-related ecosystems; and help Pakistan adapt to the threats posed by water related challenges.

Vice Chancellor of MUET, Dr. Muhammad Aslam Uqaili, and Minister of Education Syed Sardar Ali Shah along with USAID Director for Sindh and Balochistan, Michael Hryshchyshyn also participated in the ceremony.

The USPCAS-W at Mehran University is one of the research centers the United States Government has established to support Pakistani universities under the U.S. Government’s $127 million program (PKR 17.75 billion). The program supports applied research to find innovative solutions for Pakistan’s water, energy, and food security challenges.