Hunza & Gilgit, July 25–26, 2025 — The Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) Gilgit Chapter brought together over 70 alumni from across Gilgit-Baltistan for two memorable reunion dinners—first in Hunza on July 25 and then in Gilgit on July 26—to celebrate the lasting impact of U.S. government exchange programs and the strength of a growing alumni community.
PUAN’s two-day series of events began with a dinner reception in Hunza at Serena Hotel Hunza, followed by a larger reunion dinner in Gilgit at Serena Hotel Gilgit. Both events provided vibrant platforms for reconnection, reflection, and celebration of alumni achievements.
Together, the reunions drew 60 participants in Gilgit and 13 in Hunza, representing a diverse group of alumni from Fulbright, Global UGRAD, CCIP, YES, and other prestigious exchange programs.
Celebrating Shared Journeys and 75 Years of Fulbright
The highlight of the Gilgit reunion was a warm welcome address by Kelly Ryan, Deputy Director for Public Engagement at the U.S. Embassy Islamabad. He began by expressing gratitude to the team members from U.S. State Department, the Regional English Language Office (RELO), and the USEFP for their support in organizing the event and in fostering long-standing people-to-people ties across Pakistan.
“Thank you for traveling from near and far to attend this gathering. This year, we proudly celebrate 75 years of the Fulbright Program, and alongside that, we honour the legacy of 181 other U.S. government exchange programs that continue to transform lives and strengthen communities.”
Alumni Spotlight: Voices from the Mountains
The Gilgit reunion featured a distinguished lineup of alumni speakers who shared how their U.S. exchange experiences shaped their personal growth, professional contributions, and leadership journeys.
Rohani Barkat
Global UGRAD Fellow 2015 | Former President, PUAN Islamabad & Gilgit Chapters
Rohani reflected on her journey of engagement with PUAN since returning from the U.S.:
“Being part of PUAN has been an amazing experience—from volunteering to leading two chapters. These opportunities helped me grow as a leader and stay connected with inspiring alumni. I look forward to continuing our engagement and building new bridges.”
Ms. Shehnaz Gul
Former Honorary Council Member, Gilgit Chapter | Head of Educational Development, Karakoram International University (KIU), Hunza
A double alumna of the Pre-STEP and American English Language Teacher Program at Arizona State University, Ms. Gul shared:
“Before these programs, I struggled with communication and lacked confidence. But through these experiences, I’ve become a different person—confident, connected, and inspired. Now as Head of Department for Education in Hunza, I actively motivate my students to apply for these programs. They truly change lives.”
Dr. Zaeem Zia
Fulbright Alumnus | Former District Health Officer, Islamabad | Current Regional Director Health & Director, Nursing Education, Gilgit-Baltistan
Dr. Zia delivered a compelling address about applying lessons from his Fulbright experience to healthcare innovation in Pakistan:
“From leading the COVID-19 response with smart lockdowns and expanded vaccination strategies to launching nursing colleges in Gilgit-Baltistan, our work has been shaped by the learning from Johns Hopkins University and the University of Oklahoma.”
He emphasized that localizing nursing education would greatly improve human development indicators by offering affordable, quality training to students within the region—especially those unable to access education in larger cities.
Maria Eman
Community College Initiative Program (CCIP) Alumna | Master of Ceremonies
Maria shared her powerful story of overcoming societal doubt to pursue a U.S. exchange opportunity:
“Many doubted that a girl like me could travel alone to the U.S.—but I proved them wrong. The exchange program empowered me. Since returning, I’ve worked with several national and international NGOs across Pakistan. Standing here, I say: thank you, U.S. Embassy. Thank you, PUAN.”
Hunza Reception: A Celebration of Roots and Aspirations
Held a day earlier on July 25, the Hunza dinner reception at Serena Hotel Hunza brought together 13 dedicated alumni for a more intimate evening of networking and reflection. PUAN representatives encouraged the group to continue engaging with the broader alumni network and highlighted upcoming opportunities for collaboration, professional growth, and grant funding.
The Hunza gathering also allowed space to discuss community challenges and alumni-led initiatives in the areas of education, trade and business, health, and tourism development.
Closing Reflections & Looking Ahead
The Gilgit reunion concluded with a group photo and a networking dinner, where participants exchanged ideas, shared experiences, and celebrated the diversity and strength of the PUAN community in Gilgit-Baltistan.
As the regional alumni network continues to expand, PUAN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting chapters through localized engagement, strategic programming, and national visibility.
For photo highlights visit:
#PUAN #GilgitReunion2025 #HunzaReception #75YearsOfFulbright #ExchangeAlumni #USPakistanPartnership #BuildingBridges #PUANGilgitChapter
