Skardu, July 22, 2025 — The serene valley of Skardu came alive with the spirit of connection, inspiration, and storytelling as over 60 participants, including more than 40 exchange alumni, gathered for the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) Baltistan Chapter Reunion at Railsa, Skardu.
The event, hosted by PUAN with the support of the U.S. Mission to Pakistan, served as a vibrant platform to celebrate the achievements of U.S. exchange alumni from the region and to strengthen professional and personal bonds within the alumni network.
A Welcome Rooted in Shared Experience
Kelly Ryan, Deputy Director, Public Engagement at the U.S. Embassy Islamabad, warmly welcomed the attendees. Reflecting on his own journey as a Fulbright alumnus, he said:
“Being part of a U.S. exchange program is one of the proudest parts of my life. These programs are truly transformative—personally, professionally, and in connecting and building bridges between communities across the world.”
He appreciated the warm hospitality of the Baltistan alumni and commended their efforts in creating impact across diverse sectors. “You are part of a global network of the brightest minds, which includes over 600 heads of state, 2,100 cabinet ministers, 89 Nobel Laureates—and here in Baltistan, it includes educators, entrepreneurs, lawyers, professors, community leaders, and change-makers.”
While acknowledging recent structural changes within PUAN, Kelly reaffirmed that PUAN remains a valuable platform and resource for alumni. He encouraged the participants to stay engaged through programs such as PUAN Masterclasses, Thematic Conferences, the Internship Program, PUAN Grants, and PUAN Connects—all designed to build capacity, foster collaboration, and strengthen regional networks.
“This reunion is not just a celebration—it’s a commitment to stay connected and amplify your stories. We want to hear about your personal and professional journeys and share them with the world.”
Stories of Transformation and Leadership
The reunion featured powerful alumni stories that reflected the far-reaching impact of U.S. exchange programs.
Maria, a 2028 Global UGRAD Fellow, spoke about how her exchange experience opened doors to cultural understanding and civic engagement:
“Through service projects and cross-cultural dialogue in the U.S., I was able to break stereotypes—both about Pakistan and about the U.S. That experience completely reshaped my worldview and equipped me to initiate change back home.”
Another powerful voice was Professor Dr. Ghulam Raza, Head of Ecology and Resource Management at the University of Baltistan. He highlighted how his exchange visit to Oregon University and later to Boston Architectural College with fellow faculty members inspired him to pioneer the university’s Bachelor’s program in Archaeology—a unique step toward conserving the region’s cultural and architectural heritage.
“Human capital is the greatest investment. If you plan for generations, you invest in people—and the U.S. Mission is doing just that here in Baltistan.”
He also emphasized the urgent need to conserve natural resources in the face of climate change, especially in environmentally fragile regions like Baltistan.
A Visionary Tech Entrepreneur’s Journey
Afzal Hussain, a Community College Initiative Program (CCIP) alumnus and founder of Skarchan Pvt. Ltd, shared his inspiring journey from mountain adventurer to tech entrepreneur. Fuelled by his exchange experience, he established a tech company in Skardu focusing on AI and coding.
“Instead of looking for jobs, I decided to create them. Inspired by Silicon Valley, I envision turning Skardu’s Sadpara Road into our very own ‘Silicon Valley’.”
He credited PUAN’s ongoing engagement—particularly the 2024 Masterclass on Analytics and AI at NUST—as a catalyst behind his company’s recent milestone: the development of a game-changing AI agent.
Celebrating a Shared Purpose
The reunion concluded with final remarks from Kelly Ryan, followed by a group photo and networking lunch. As alumni shared their ideas, collaborations, and success stories, a renewed sense of purpose filled the air.
PUAN will feature many of these alumni journeys on its digital platforms in the coming weeks, continuing to celebrate the contributions of U.S. exchange alumni in Baltistan and beyond.
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