United States has issued an official clarification regarding the suspension of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) for Pakistan, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
According to a statement released on the US Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) website, the decision to suspend the program does not affect the current batch of 54 Pakistani students who are already in the US under the exchange program. These students will complete their academic term as scheduled and return to Pakistan on time. Moreover, they will continue to receive all agreed allowances and benefits, USEFP assured.
The US also refuted reports about the termination of the prestigious Fulbright Program, calling such claims baseless. USEFP clarified that the U.S. Department of State is currently reviewing its global exchange programs including those in Pakistan, to align them with the priorities of the current U.S. administration.
Despite the suspension of the Global UGRAD for Pakistanis. Government-funded many including the Fulbright scholarship for Pakistani students. Participants in these programs continue to receive their scholarships and stipends without interruption.
It is worth noting that the announcement to discontinue the UGRAD program after 15 successful years was first made on USEFP’s official website, surprising many who had long benefited from the initiative. The clarification aims to reassure students, educational institutions, and the general public that the U.S. remains committed to supporting academic exchange and cultural ties with Pakistan, even as program structures evolve.