US Ends Global UGRAD Program for Pakistanis

In a major development, the United States has officially ended the Global Undergraduate Exchange (UGRAD) Program for Pakistani students, marking the conclusion of a 15-year-long educational partnership between the two nations.

End of a Longstanding Exchange Program

Launched in 2010, the Global UGRAD Pakistan Program offered fully funded opportunities for undergraduate students to study for one semester at various universities across the U.S. The initiative provided participants with academic exposure, leadership training, and valuable cross-cultural experiences, fostering stronger educational and social connections between Pakistan and the United States.

Over the years, more than 2,500 Pakistani students benefited from the program. Many alumni went on to become community leaders, innovators, and professionals contributing to Pakistan’s academic, business, and public sectors.

US Embassy Confirms Program Closure

In an official statement, the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad acknowledged the program’s impact and expressed appreciation for the participants who helped strengthen people-to-people ties. However, officials did not disclose a specific reason for the program’s discontinuation.

The Embassy reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to educational cooperation, noting that other scholarship initiatives—such as the Fulbright Program—will continue to offer Pakistani students opportunities for academic exchange and higher education in the United States.

Reaction and Implications

The announcement has sparked disappointment among students and alumni nationwide. Many took to social media to express gratitude for the transformative experiences the program provided, while others voiced concern about reduced international exposure for Pakistani undergraduates.

Education experts believe the decision may reflect a shift in U.S. foreign aid and educational priorities, possibly linked to global funding realignments. Analysts also emphasized that Pakistan should now focus on developing local and regional exchange initiatives to ensure students continue to gain international learning opportunities.

Looking Ahead

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has not yet released an official response but is expected to comment in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, education stakeholders are calling for new collaborations and partnerships to fill the gap left by the UGRAD program.

The conclusion of this program marks the end of an era in Pakistani-American educational exchange, but it also presents an opportunity for Pakistan to invest in indigenous scholarship schemes that empower its youth and strengthen global academic engagement on its own terms.