The United States Educational Foundation Pakistan (USEFP) on Tuesday announced an end to the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program for Pakistan, adding the State Department had informed it the Global UGRAD-Pakistan Program will no longer be offered.
In a posting on Instagram, the USEFP said it understood the news may be disappointing for Pakistani students who had already applied and were looking forward to the opportunity. “Over the years, the Global UGRAD program has provided life-changing experiences to thousands of students, fostering academic growth, cultural exchange, and leadership development. We are immensely proud of the impact this program has had on its participants and the communities they have touched,” it said.
“We sincerely appreciate your interest in the program and your commitment to personal and academic growth,” it continued. “While this chapter is closing, we encourage you to explore other exchange and scholarship opportunities that may align with your aspirations,” it advised.
The discontinuation of the program underscores a broader trend of the incumbent Trump administration to end funding for various educational programs. In recent weeks, the U.S. has also started revoking visas for foreign nationals who had spoken out in favor of Palestine, raising fears over the security of students. Students in Pakistan are now fearing a similar cessation of the Fulbright scholarship program, though there has been no indication it would also end.
The Global UGRAD program launched in 2010, benefiting over 2,500 Pakistani students. The program aimed to enhance students’ community engagement, leadership skills, and commitment to service.