Dear PUAN Tribe,
Explore the latest edition of the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) Fortnightly Newsletter featuring exciting opportunities, inspiring alumni highlights, upcoming programs, and recent activities from across the PUAN community. Stay connected, expand your network, and discover new ways to engage, collaborate, and grow with fellow exchange alumni across Pakistan and beyond.
Eid Greetings for PUAN Members
As we celebrate the spirit of Eid, the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) extends warm wishes to our incredible alumni community across Pakistan and around the world. May this joyous occasion bring peace, happiness, good health, and renewed hope to you and your loved ones. Eid reminds us of the values that unite the PUAN Tribe, compassion, community, service, gratitude, and meaningful human connection. Your tremendous efforts continue to inspire positive change across Pakistan and beyond. Thank you for being an important part of the PUAN family. May this Eid bring new opportunities, stronger connections, and continued success in all your endeavors.
Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Meets Pakistani Leaders and Exchange Alumni
During a productive visit to Pakistan, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapur met with senior leaders on the full spectrum of bilateral issues and engaged with members of the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN), highlighting the important role of exchange alumni in strengthening U.S.-Pakistan people-to-people ties, collaboration, and long-term partnership.
KP Startup Leaders Discuss Technology, Workforce Development, and Investment Opportunities
U.S. Consul General Tom Eckert met with National Incubation Center Peshawar leadership Bilal Farooq Khan, Asim Ishaq Khan, and Farhad Shafqat Qayyum, along with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa entrepreneurs and startup executives Esha Zeb, Mashaal Khan, and Fatima Khan, coordinator at the Lincoln Corner NUST. They had an excellent conversation on commercial diplomacy, U.S. technology, workforce development, education, and investment opportunities.
Celebrating Alumni Leadership in Sports and Community Development
U.S. Consul General Tom Eckert was inspired to meet with Samar Khan, alumna from PUAN KP chapter, an accomplished internationally renowned athlete from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and alumna of the U.S. global sports mentorship program. Samar is building on her exchange experience to create opportunities for young people to work together, explore, and get outside. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has such natural beauty and potential for tourism that will connect people with nature and each other, driving economic growth that benefits both our countries. We’re proud to support leaders like Samar who are making a difference in their communities.
PUAN Alumni Join U.S. Consulate Dialogue on Peace and Conflict Resolution
U.S. Consul General Tom Eckert, Public Affairs Officer Rob Tate, and Political and Economic Section Chief Kapil Gupta met with Dr. Jamil Ahmad and distinguished alumni of U.S. exchange programs to discuss innovative approaches to peacebuilding, conflict resolution, human rights, and justice initiatives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Supported through an Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund grant, the initiative highlights the continued commitment of the U.S. Consulate General to empowering local leaders and strengthening community-driven impact across the province. The meeting was joined by PUAN alumni Mr. Shahzad Naif, Ms. Rabia Fayyaz, Ms. Tahira Kaleem, Ms. Wagma Feroz, Ms. Shawana Shah, and Ms. Kainat Farooqi, who are contributing to positive social change and community engagement efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The discussion reaffirmed a shared commitment to strengthening partnerships, promoting security, and advancing people-to-people ties between Pakistan and the United States.
U.S. Consulate Peshawar Engages Youth Leaders on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Education
U.S. Consul General Tom Eckert, Public Affairs Officer Rob Tate, and Political and Economic Section Chief Kapil Gupta met with the Consulate Peshawar Youth Council for fantastic discussions on entrepreneurship, innovation, and education. The Youth Council toured the new Lincoln Corner at the U.S. Education Foundation Pakistan (USEFP) and learned about the free expert academic advising available to all prospective students who dream of studying in the United States at EducationUSA. They also toured an art exhibition on America 250 and learned about our early history, independence, and fundamental values of liberty and democracy.
Freedom 250: Muhadsa Naqvi’s Journey of Youth Leadership and Community Empowerment
Muhadsa Naqvi, a UGRAD & AWE 2022 alumna, is turning her U.S. exchange experience into youth leadership and community impact in Pakistan. Through mentorship and leadership initiatives, she is empowering the next generation of changemakers. Read more here.
Update Your Profiles to Be Part of Exciting Opportunities Coming Up Next at PUAN
As PUAN continues to expand opportunities for alumni across Pakistan, we invite all members to take a few minutes to review and update their profiles on the PUAN alumni portal. Keeping your profile updated is essential to ensure you remain eligible for upcoming programs. It also helps us better connect you with opportunities that align with your skills, interests, and professional goals. With a network of over 45,000 alumni, PUAN is committed to creating meaningful engagement and impact, but this starts with having accurate and up-to-date information from our members. Updating your PUAN profiles also helps us connect you with initiatives that best match your skills, interests, and professional goals. It also enhances your visibility within the alumni network and ensures that you receive timely updates and important communications. We encourage all alumni to log in to the PUAN portal today and make sure their information is complete and up to date, your next opportunity with PUAN could be just one update away. Click here to update your information on PUAN Alumni Portal.
Lincoln Corners Pakistan
Lincoln Corners are partnerships between the U.S. Embassy and local institutions across Pakistan, serving as American-style cultural and information centers. They are multi-media resource hubs offering access to reliable information about the U.S., English language learning, and a venue for cultural programs and open dialogue. PUAN members are strongly encouraged to utilize these centers for networking, hosting alumni events, accessing eLibraryUSA research databases, and connecting with local communities. We encourage all PUAN alumni to actively make use of these Corners! They are ideal venues for networking, hosting alumni-led activities, conducting training sessions, accessing eLibraryUSA research databases, and engaging with local communities through meaningful programs. Visit the website of Lincoln Corners to find the Corner nearest you and explore collaboration possibilities.
Join Our PUAN Facebook Groups
Don’t miss out on what’s happening right in your area! The Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) is powered by 14 chapters across the country, and your local chapter is the best way to network, collaborate, and connect with fellow alumni in your city or region. Each of these chapters maintains a dedicated closed Facebook group, serving as your go-to space for local event announcements, chapter-specific project discussions, and instant networking opportunities. We encourage you to find and join your respective chapter’s closed group today. Simply search for your chapter name on Facebook and request to join or simply click here. Let’s build a stronger, more engaged local network together!
Send Us Your Recent Publications
At PUAN, we are continually inspired by the incredible work that U.S. exchange alumni have been doing. The dedication and contributions of our alumni are making a significant impact, and we are proud to have you all as part of the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN). We would love to hear about your recent accomplishments. If you have published an op-ed, journal article, news piece, or any other work in the past three months, please let us know by filling out this quick questionnaire. Additionally, we encourage you to keep us informed of your future publications by emailing us at info@puan.pk. Your continued support and engagement are vital to the success of PUAN, and we are grateful for your contributions. Please note that the compilation of alumni publications is a recurring activity. Therefore, we kindly request that you avoid submitting the same information more than once.
