A disappointing news for Pakistani students, the United States State Department has officially ended the UGRAD Programme for Pakistani students. This decision ends a popular exchange programme that ran for 15 years and helped thousands of Pakistani undergraduate students study in the US for a semester.
The United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) confirmed this development on its website and social media. USEFP expressed concern for the students who had applied this year. “We understand this news will be particularly disheartening for those who applied and were looking forward to this opportunity,” the statement said.
The Global UGRAD programme began in Pakistan in 2010. It was not only about education—it gave students a chance to learn about American culture, grow leadership skills, and make international connections. Many students return home with new ideas and broader views.
USEFP praised the programme’s past impact and advised students to look for other scholarships and exchange programmes that matched their goals. The announcement ended by wishing students success in their future education and careers.
Read more: Sindh Government Announces Scholarships for Minority Students
USEFP Encourages Exploring Alternatives
In addition to this, there have been reports from the US media about sudden visa cancellations affecting nearly 450 international students. Many of these students are from Pakistan and other Muslim countries. These cancellations were made without notice or a legal hearing. Students from top universities like Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, and the University of Michigan were affected.
University officials believe the US government is quietly cancelling the visas of students who supported Palestinian causes during campus protests. However, some students said their visas were cancelled even though they did not join any protests. This has raised serious concerns about the fairness and clarity of the process.
For Pakistani students, both the end of the Global UGRAD programme and sudden visa issues show that studying in the US is becoming more difficult and uncertain.
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