As another fortnight ends, we’re thrilled to share the latest updates from the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network! From casting impact in their respective communities to becoming the agents of change, our alumni are continuing to connect, collaborate, and create positive change. Give a reading to the latest issue of our newsletter to celebrate the achievements and impacts of our alumni members creating in their communities and stay informed about the exciting opportunities of professional and personal growth.

PUAN Releases Episode 1 of PUAN Change Makers-Plastic Reuse Innovations

PUAN Change Makers is our exciting new video series that showcases the incredible journeys of Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) alumni. With huge success of series’ trailor yielding more than one million views, here is the Episode-1 of the series that features Salman Tariq for plastic reuse innovations for a sustainable Pakistan. Salman Tariq, a Fulbright Scholar and member of the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) , is making a real impact in Pakistan’s energy and environment sectors. After earning his MPA from Columbia University , he returned home to co-found #Davaam, a social-enterprise startup focused on reducing plastic waste and empowering women through innovative solutions. Under his leadership, Davaam has developed Pakistan’s first consumer product refill station and introduced sanitary napkin dispensing machines in workplaces, all while winning the prestigious Green Challenge Fund in 2021. This video showcases how Salman and other alumni are creating positive change in their communities. Watch it to see the difference they’re making!

PUAN Releases Episode 2 of PUAN Change Makers-Sports for Social Change

The second episode of PUAN Change Makers features Misban Hina who shares her inspiring journey of creating a positive impact across various communities in Pakistan by empowering women through sports and outdoor activities, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan. Misbah Hina, a member of the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN), represented Pakistan in the 2019 sports exchange program “Addressing Gender-Based Violence through Sport” in the United States, funded by the U.S. Mission in Pakistan. She is the founder of the Misbah Volleyball Academy, an initiative aimed at empowering women through sports and outdoor activities in the northern region of Gilgit-Baltistan. As a national volleyball player and an avid skier, Misbah represented the Pakistan Women’s Volleyball Team at the Jubilee Games in Dubai in 2016. Her passion for skiing also led her to serve as the head of the Islamabad Women Ski Association, where she participated in several ski championships. Misbah holds a degree in sports sciences from Punjab University, Lahore, and has successfully implemented a seed-funded project in collaboration with Right To Play and Women Win, organizing volleyball training camps and sports events for young girls.

English Access Scholarship Program Launches at Tando Allahyar District, Bhitshah, and Umerkot

The United States is empowering 425 bright students in Sindh through the English Access Scholarship Program. The two-year program officially launched in Tando Allahyar District, Bhitshah, and Umerkot, provides economically disadvantaged youth with life-changing English language skills, 21st-century competencies, and intercultural understanding. This initiative is designed to equip these young minds for success in education and beyond, unlocking new opportunities for a brighter future. Public Diplomacy Officer Anamaria Karrels celebrated the start of this transformative journey by awarding certificates to the students and highlighting the U.S. government’s unwavering commitment to investing in Pakistan’s future through education.

Gratitude for Your Participation: Your Feedback Matters

The Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN), along with the U.S. Mission to Pakistan and DCG Communications (an independent Washington D.C.-based research firm), wants to express sincere gratitude to all those who participated in our recent exchange alumni research. Your insights and experiences have been invaluable to our understanding of how exchange programs meet the needs of alumni and support strategic goals. Thank you once again for sparing time for this important activity. Please stay in touch to know future existing opportunities of PUAN!

#PositionsVacant: Job Opportunities at Embassy and Consulates

U.S. Mission Pakistan is an equal-opportunity employer seeking eligible & qualified applicants for full-time positions. To view the vacant positions accepting applications, please visit the website. Note: Please note that under no circumstances PUAN can or will influence the process of hiring. Therefore, reaching out to the concerned via the link is advisable.