The latest edition of PUAN’s fortnightly newsletter is out now! Catch up on recent highlights, community updates, and exciting opportunities for professional and academic growth from the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network.
Reconnecting, Reflecting, and Reigniting Exchange Spirit: PUAN South AJK Reunion 2025
Despite the monsoon drizzle and chilly breeze, the warmth of connection filled Mirpur, AJK on July 9, 2025 as alumni gathered for an inspiring day of stories, reconnections, and shared purpose for Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN)-South AJK Chapter Annual Alumni Reunion 2025. Honored to host Kelly Ryan, Deputy Director Alumni Affairs, U.S. Embassy, who engaged deeply with attendees from programs like Access, TEA, UGRAD, and ICFJ. From Access grads now in medical school to alumni leading in journalism, education & corporate sectors, the event celebrated the lasting impact of U.S. exchange programs. Read more here.
Scaling New Heights: PUAN’s Power-Packed Masterclass on the Business Life Cycle
With support from the U.S. Embassy Pakistan, the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN), in strategic partnership with LMKT, hosted a five-day masterclass June 23-27, 2025 titled “Mastering the Business Life Cycle” at the National Incubation Center, Karachi. This in-residence program brought together over 40 U.S. exchange alumni from across Pakistan, representing all 14 PUAN chapters and a range of sectors including technology, manufacturing, services, and social entrepreneurship. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Scott Urbom, U.S. Consul General U.S. Consulate General Karachi, Karachi noted that the impact of this masterclass will extend beyond one week and contribute to long-term economic resilience. Vice Chancellor of NED University, Professor Dr. Muhammad Tufail, highlighted that entrepreneurship is the future of Pakistan’s economy and emphasized that such programs empower promising individuals to lead economic progress. NIC Karachi Project Director Azfar Hussain said that NIC is proud to host initiatives that combine innovation and impact, reinforcing the center’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs who are shaping Pakistan’s future.
PUAN Masterclass Day 1: Exploring the Business Lifecycle and Building Sustainable Models
Day one featured an insightful session on understanding the business lifecycle by Syed Azfar Hussain, Project Director at NIC Karachi, outlining critical stages of growth, sustainability, and transformation. This was followed by a hands-on workshop on building sustainable business models by Muhammad Salik Khan, Head of Incubation at NIC, guiding participants in designing ventures rooted in market realities.
A thought-provoking panel on business growth challenges moderated by Andeel Ali and joined by Sara Munir, Syed Naseh, and Furqan Qureshi explored the evolving entrepreneurial landscape. The day concluded with a focused mentorship session on operations and HR led by Khizer Ahmed, founder of Kaacib and Hukum Janab, offering actionable strategies to build strong, people-centric startups. Read more here.
PUAN Masterclass Day 2: Finance, Tech, and Real-World Insights
Day two of the five-day PUAN Masterclass on Business Life Cycle Management at National Incubation Center, Karachi focused on empowering alumni with practical tools to improve financial management and leverage technology for sustainable business growth. The day began with an in-depth training session on Financial Management for Startups, where participants explored essential frameworks for budgeting, forecasting, and maintaining healthy cash flows, critical for early-stage ventures aiming for stability and scalability. This was followed by a hands-on mentoring session on Technology Adoption in Businesses for Efficiency, led by Anas Niaz, Founder of Bionics. He shared actionable strategies on integrating emerging technologies to streamline operations, boost productivity, and drive innovation across business models. In the afternoon, Harris Jamali, Managing Partner at HM Associates, led a compelling session on Finance and Investments. He walked participants through best practices for securing capital, building investor trust, and scaling responsibly while maintaining financial discipline.
Later in the day, participants visited the AshreiTech Academy at the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park (NASTP). There, they engaged with tech ecosystem leaders including Mr. Muhammad Shoaib Arif (Project Director, NASTP), Mr. Azam Mughal (CEO, SecureBeans), Mr. Ansab Naqvi (Founder, Asani.io), and Ms. Mehwish from PayFast. Each shared real-world insights on building and scaling tech ventures within NASTP’s collaborative innovation environment. Read more here.
PUAN Masterclass Day 3: Exploring Marketing, Innovation Risk, and Karachi’s Startup Ecosystem
Day 3 of the five-day PUAN Masterclass focused on strengthening alumni skills in marketing, managing innovation risks, and exploring Karachi’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. From expert-led sessions on marketing strategies and sales alignment to insightful visits to The Hive and IoBM’s Shahjehan Syed Karim Incubation Center, participants engaged with industry leaders and startup founders driving innovation across Pakistan. Read more here.
PUAN Masterclass Day 4: Mentorship, Innovation Sprints, and Strategic Networking
Day four of PUAN Masterclass at National Incubation Center, Karachi focused on real-world lessons in resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The day began with a candid fireside chat on startup successes and failures, featuring honest reflections from top founders and mentors. Alumni then received personalized advice in one-on-one mentoring sessions. In the afternoon, an Innovation Sprint equipped participants with key skills in cybersecurity, AI, and digital marketing. The day wrapped up with a high-impact networking dinner, connecting PUAN alumni with U.S. Consulate officials and leaders from Pakistan’s business and startup ecosystem. Read more here.
PUAN Masterclass Day 5: Global Vision and Entrepreneurial Momentum
Day 5 of the PUAN Masterclass on Mastering the Business Life Cycle at National Incubation Center, Karachi wrapped up an inspiring week of learning, connection, and growth. The final day focused on scaling enterprises, exploring U.S. trade and investment opportunities, and the power of collaboration. Alumni engaged in sessions led by experts like Andeel Ali and Furqan Karim Kidwai, followed by a dynamic panel on successful partnerships. The program concluded with reflections from alumni, NIC leadership, and the U.S. Consulate General Karachi team along with a certificate ceremony celebrating the achievements of all participants. A strong finish to a transformative five-day journey of entrepreneurship and impact! Read more here.
Call for Applications: Fulbright Foreign Language Teacher Assistant (FLTA) Program 2026
Opportunity for Aspiring English Language Teachers!
The Fulbright Foreign Language Teacher Assistant (FLTA) Program 2026 invites young English language teachers to apply! This program offers the opportunity to teach Urdu or Pashto at a university in the United States while simultaneously enhancing your teaching skills and professional experience.
The application deadline is Thursday, July 31, 2025! For more information and to submit your application, visit www.usefp.org. Have questions? Email us at flta@usefp.org.
Call for Applications-Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship
Call for Applications! Are you a passionate mid-career professional looking to advance your career and make a global impact? The U.S. Mission to Pakistan and USEFP invite applications for the 2026 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program. This exchange program is fully funded by the U.S. Department of State, offering you the opportunity to enhance your leadership skills, expand your professional network, and gain insights from experts. For information about eligibility, requirements, relevant fields, the application process, and to apply, read more here. The last day to apply is Tuesday, July 15, 2025. For queries, email humphrey@usefp.org.
Join the Team Driving Alumni Impact-Now Hiring: Assistant Outreach/Alumni Officer at PUAN
We’re Hiring! The United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) is looking for a dynamic Assistant Outreach/Alumni Officer (Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network) to join our Islamabad team. If you have a passion for public engagement, alumni relations, event management and meet the academic & experience requirements, this is your opportunity to work closely with the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) and the U.S. Mission in Pakistan. Apply by: July 16, 2025; Location: Islamabad. Click here to view full job description and apply now https://www.rozee.pk/job/detail/1632864
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.
