The latest edition of the PUAN Fortnightly Newsletter is here! Brought to you by the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network, this issue offers a thoughtfully curated selection of professional, academic, and engagement opportunities designed especially for our alumni community. Stay informed, expand your network, and discover what’s next, delivered straight to your inbox every two weeks.
Let Freedom Ring
As part of the “Let Freedom Ring” program commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence, Chargé d’ Affaires Natalie Baker today unveiled a life-size replica of the Liberty Bell at the new United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) building. A powerful symbol of freedom, resilience, and shared democratic values, the replica marks the beginning of a nationwide initiative. In total, fifteen Liberty Bell replicas will be placed at Lincoln Corners across the country, where local artists will be invited to paint each bell around the theme “What Freedom Means to Me.”
Celebrating Excellence: U.S. Exchange Alumni Welcomed into PUAN
Consul General Tom Eckert, U.S. Consulate General, Peshawar welcomed distinguished recent alumni of U.S. Government exchange programs to the Consulate for a special certification ceremony. He congratulated the participants on successfully completing their programs and joining the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN), one of the world’s largest and most active exchange alumni communities. Consul General Eckert recognized the alumni for their leadership, commitment, and potential to create positive change in Pakistan and beyond, contributing to a stronger, safer, and more prosperous world.
Freedom 250: From Classroom to Community- Samina Bashir’s Exchange-Driven Impact in Education
From exchange to impact, this is what long-term educational leadership looks like. A Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Program alumna (2023), Samina Bashir has translated her U.S. exchange experience into meaningful change in classrooms and communities across Pakistan. From student-centered teaching methods to educator training, environmental action, and mentoring future exchange applicants, her work reflects the lasting power of people-to-people connections.
Her journey shows how U.S. exchange programs build leaders who collaborate, innovate, and give back, long after the exchange ends. Read more here.
Freedom 250: From Exchange to Global Leadership- Youth Development and Drug Demand Reduction
From a U.S.-supported exchange to global leadership, Ahmed Shah’s journey shows how international exposure can create lasting impact. An Emerging Leaders of Pakistan (ELP) 2013 alumnus, Ahmed turned his exchange experience into a career dedicated to youth development and drug demand reduction (DDR). Today, he leads international fellowship programs, builds cross-border partnerships, and empowers young leaders across Asia, Africa, and beyond, applying U.S.-informed ideas to real-world challenges. His story reflects the power of people-to-people connections and long-term collaboration between Pakistan and the United States. Read more here.
Call for Stories: Freedom 250 Alumni Pictorial Stories
To mark 250 years of U.S. leadership and global engagement, the Pakistan–U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) invites alumni to contribute to the Freedom 250 Alumni Storytelling Campaign, a year-long digital initiative showcasing how U.S. exchange experiences are creating real-world impact in Pakistan and beyond. Alumni are encouraged to submit pictorial stories (photos + text) highlighting how U.S.-informed ideas, skills, and values influence their professional, academic, entrepreneurial, or community work. Stories should reflect at least one Freedom 250 theme, such as U.S.–Pakistan economic engagement, innovation and collaboration, people-to-people partnerships, or leadership shaped by exchange experiences, and include a forward-looking call to action.
Get ready to turn your ideas into action! As we prepare to announce the next round of the PUAN Grants Program, we encourage alumni to start brainstorming innovative ways to give back and uplift their communities. Whether your passion lies in education, entrepreneurship, technology, social inclusion, or community development, this is your opportunity to transform exchange-inspired ideas into meaningful impact. Stay tuned for the official announcement and get ready to lead change where it matters most.
Please note that selection is competitive and featured stories will require alignment with the Freedom 250 theme and necessary clearances. View more details here.
Get Ready: PUAN Grants Announcement Coming Soon
Submissions should include a written story of 400–500 words, accompanied by 3–4 high-quality photographs that reflect your work, engagement, or impact. Content may be submitted in English or Urdu and must clearly demonstrate a strong connection between your U.S. exchange experience and your current professional, academic, entrepreneurial, or community impact. Send your stories on: pakistanusalumninetwork@gmail.com.
Applications Open Now for 2027 Fulbright Student Program
The 2027 Fulbright Student Program is now accepting applications! Fulbright is the U.S. government’s flagship educational exchange program and provides funding for graduate studies, including Master’s or PhD degrees. This covers tuition, required textbooks, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance. Check your eligibility and apply today at www.usefp.org The application deadline is April 1, 2026! The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for all applicants. If you have any questions, please reach out via info@usefp.org
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.
