Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning and Development, met with Sherry Kenson Hall, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and her delegation to discuss areas of mutual interest. The talks emphasized expanding cooperation in science, higher education and research as a means to strengthen the longstanding Pakistan US partnership.
The federal minister underlined the need to deepen collaboration to further stabilise bilateral ties and to open new avenues for future education and human resource development. Both sides highlighted practical steps to enhance academic exchanges and joint research initiatives that can benefit Pakistan’s scientific and higher education landscape.
It was noted that many Pakistani students are pursuing advanced degrees in the United States under the Fulbright programme and are contributing to national capacity building. The Government of Pakistan also reiterated its target, via the US Knowledge Corridor, to prepare 10,000 quality PhDs over the next ten years as part of a long-term strategy for human resource development.
Officials agreed to continue dialogue and translate the shared priorities into concrete programmes in research collaboration, faculty exchange and scholarships. Strengthening the Pakistan US partnership in higher education and research is expected to create fresh opportunities for students, researchers and institutions across Pakistan.
