Dear PUAN Tribe,
Welcome to the latest edition of PUAN Voices, covering September 19-October 02, 2026. This fortnight, we spotlight the opening of Innovation Hive at USEFP, tremendous success rate of our PUAN National Internship Program, highlights of MIPG ‘Threads of a Nation’, opening of applications for 2027 Fulbright Scholar Program and much more.
From Creativity to Commerce: PUAN MIPG Showcases American Excellence and Creative Entrepreneurship
When creativity meets entrepreneurship, talent can become economic opportunity! Through a Mission Initiated PUAN Grant led by Tauseeq Haider, our IVLP 2012 alumnus, the Arts Entrepreneurship Showcase brought creative professionals, entrepreneurs, designers, and PUAN alumni together to explore the business potential of Pakistan’s creative industries.
Held as part of Freedom 250, the culmination showcased the creative ventures of 20 PUAN alumni, explored how creative businesses can move from passion to growth, and celebrated 250 years of American innovation through fashion, design, and storytelling. U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker, U.S. Embassy Pakistan also highlighted the commercial connections linking U.S. cotton, Pakistan’s textile industry, and the American market, demonstrating how creativity, entrepreneurship, and trade intersect across the U.S.-Pakistan relationship. From alumni businesses to American excellence in creativity and innovation, watch the highlights from the Arts Entrepreneurship Showcase. Read more here for details.
PUAN National Internship Program 2026: 29% of Interns Receive Job Offers
What a fantastic way to wrap up the PUAN National Internship Program 2026! This year, 29% of the interns have received job offers after completing the three-month program. This is a strong reflection of how hands-on professional experience can open doors to the next career opportunity.
From June 1 to August 31, 38 interns gained practical workplace exposure through this program. A big shout-out to all our mentors who volunteered their time and expertise, helping junior alumni build confidence, strengthen professional skills, and take the next steps in their careers.
Innovation Hive Opens in Islamabad to Help Pakistani Entrepreneurs Scale
A new hub for entrepreneurship and business growth has opened in Islamabad. U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker and Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja launched the Innovation Hive at the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP), creating a platform to connect Pakistani entrepreneurs with American expertise, technology, and investors.
Through mentoring sessions, product demo days, and online business classes, the Innovation Hive will provide entrepreneurs with opportunities to strengthen their skills, expand professional networks, and explore pathways to scale their businesses. Visit the Innovation Hive, grow your network, and take your business to the next level.
Fulbright 80th Anniversary Celebration at Lahore under Fulbright Connect
Celebrating 80 years of the Fulbright Program in Lahore! USEFP hosted the Fulbright 80th Anniversary Connect in Lahore, bringing together 95 Fulbright alumni and eight Humphrey Fellows from Punjab. Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate General Lahore, Sandeep Paul, joined as Chief Guest, along with USEFP Board Member and FCCU Rector Dr. Jonathan Addleton. Vice chancellors, faculty, entrepreneurs, bankers, and professionals from public and private sectors shared how their Fulbright experiences have shaped their careers, institutions, and communities.
Recently returned Fulbright and Humphrey fellows connected with experienced alumni, finding mentors, new collaborators, and a network that opens doors across academia, government, civil society, and the private sector. This evening was part of the global celebrations of the Fulbright Program’s 80th anniversary and the Freedom 250 commemorations.
Freedom 250 | Afifa Nasar Ullah Advances Responsible Journalism on Migration, Trafficking and Smuggling
Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) 2023 alumna Afifa Nasar Ullah has spent more than a decade working across journalism, documentary filmmaking, research, and professional training on migration, human trafficking, and migrant smuggling.
Her work with organizations including Deutsche Welle, InfoMigrants, BBC World Service Urdu, ICMPD, and MRC has focused on accurate, evidence-based, and responsible reporting, while also training journalists on verification, responsible interviewing, informed consent, and ethical storytelling.
Afifa has also engaged young people on recognizing risks linked to unsafe migration, deceptive recruitment, and fraudulent employment opportunities. She has now been selected as a Fall 2026 Journalism Fellow at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Global Migration Institute, where her research explores the relationship between migration and emerging technologies, including AI, biometric systems, and digital governance. Through AWE 2023, Afifa added entrepreneurship and professional networking experience to an established career in journalism and documentary filmmaking, continuing to build new pathways for research, professional growth, and responsible communication. Read more about her work here.
Energy Sphere Episode 5: Powering Pakistan’s Digital Future Through Data Centers, AI and Investment
How will the growth of AI and data centers shape Pakistan’s energy and digital infrastructure needs? In the final episode of The Energy Sphere, Barrister Sarah Kazmi and her co-host speak with Hasan Abbas, CEO of Sky 47, about data centers, AI infrastructure, power requirements, and emerging technology and investment opportunities in Pakistan. A PUAN Grants Program project supported by the U.S. Mission to Pakistan through PUAN.
PUAN Grant Builds Digital Expression and Civic Information Skills Among Youth in Vehari
E-Teacher Online Scholarship Program 2018 alumnus Dr. Ali Ahmad is helping young people in Vehari strengthen practical skills in digital expression, civic information, and local journalism through his PUAN Grant project.
The ceremony at COMSATS University Vehari Campus brought together 220 participants to explore digital tools, responsible communication, community engagement, and U.S.-inspired civic tech and journalism approaches. Students also shared how the project helped strengthen their digital skills and practical understanding of online platforms. Read the detailed story here.
Applications Open for 2027 Fulbright Scholar Program
USEFP invites applications for the 2027 Fulbright Scholar Program, a U.S. government-funded program offering Pakistani scholars up to 10 months of lectureship, postdoctoral research, or a combination of both at a U.S. college or university. Pakistani citizens residing and working in Pakistan who have held a Ph.D. or terminal degree for at least two years may apply. The program is open to scholars from all disciplines except clinical medicine, including early-career faculty and researchers with 2–7 years of post-Ph.D. experience and senior scholars with 8–15 years of experience.
The application deadline is Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Visit USEFP’s website for application details or contact scholar@usefp.org with application-related questions.
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 educational centers. They are multi-media resource hubs offering access to reliable information about the United States, American English teaching and learning, strategic cultural programs, professional skills building, and resources for U.S. higher education. We encourage all PUAN alumni to promote these Corners! They provide WiFi and internet access for visitors and engage local audiences through meaningful programs. Visit the website of Lincoln Corners for the Corner nearest you.
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!
