The Government of Pakistan and the United States have renewed their longstanding partnership in higher education through a new five-year agreement between the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP), reaffirming their shared commitment to academic excellence, human capital development, research, and international educational cooperation.
The renewed partnership reflects the sustained efforts and leadership of Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, Ms. Wajiha Qamar, who has taken the lead from the Ministry in advancing Pakistan–United States educational cooperation, strengthening institutional linkages, and expanding opportunities for Pakistani students, scholars, faculty, and professionals.
A significant milestone under her leadership has been the revival and activation of the Pakistan–U.S. Higher Education Working Group after a gap of nearly 14 years. The Working Group has provided an important institutional platform for sustained engagement between the two countries on higher education, scholarships, academic mobility, skills development, research collaboration, and other areas of mutual interest. The renewed Fulbright-HEC partnership represents an important outcome of this renewed momentum in Pakistan–U.S. educational engagement.
The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training welcomes the new five-year agreement, covering Financial Year 2026–27 through Financial Year 2031–32, encompassing the Fulbright Master’s and PhD Programmes, Visiting Scholar Programme for post-doctoral scholars, Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Programme, and Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Programme.
Under the agreement, the programme has set a target of supporting 66 PhD scholars over the five-year period, in addition to opportunities provided through the other programme streams. The initiative will continue to enable Pakistani scholars and academics to pursue advanced education, undertake high-quality research, strengthen professional expertise, and contribute to Pakistan’s socio-economic and institutional development upon their return.
As part of the financial commitment, HEC will provide at least USD 4.54 million annually, with the total funding commitment capped at PKR 6.48 billion over the five-year period. The agreed payment schedule provides for USD 2 million by June 30, a further USD 2 million by January 31, and the remaining balance by April 30, subject to the timely release of government funds. Any interest earned on HEC funds held by USEFP will be reinvested in student grants, further supporting the educational objectives of the partnership.
The selection process under the renewed agreement will remain strictly merit-based, with no fixed quotas for any particular group, region, or category. HEC will participate directly in the selection panels and contribute to identifying priority fields of study aligned with Pakistan’s national development and strategic priorities. This collaborative approach will ensure that the programme remains responsive to emerging national requirements while maintaining the highest standards of academic merit, transparency, and inclusivity.
To strengthen oversight and assess programme effectiveness, a Joint Review Committee, comprising representatives of the partner institutions, will meet twice annually to review programme performance and impact. USEFP will also provide HEC with annual audited financial statements, while relevant records will remain open for review by HEC upon reasonable notice, reinforcing transparency, accountability, and sound financial governance.
The renewed partnership also envisages broader cooperation beyond scholarship opportunities. HEC and USEFP will undertake joint visibility and awareness initiatives across Pakistan, drawing upon HEC’s extensive network of higher education institutions to expand outreach and ensure greater awareness of international academic opportunities. The agreement further provides scope for exploring future collaboration in faculty and administrator exchanges and other academic and educational initiatives.
The new agreement builds upon the original Fulbright-HEC PhD partnership signed in February 2016, under which USD 25.786 million was committed to support 125 Pakistani scholars during FY 2016–20. That landmark initiative emerged from high-level engagement between Pakistan and the United States, including the meeting between then U.S. President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in October 2015, and was linked to the U.S.-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor launched in June 2015.
The renewed agreement marks another important milestone in what has evolved into a decade-long partnership between HEC and USEFP and represents the third phase of Fulbright-HEC collaboration. Over the years, this partnership has contributed significantly to strengthening Pakistan’s academic and research capacity, developing highly qualified human capital, and fostering enduring educational and people-to-people ties between Pakistan and the United States.
The signing ceremony for the renewed agreement was rescheduled from its original date following the passing of the father of Dr. Peter Moran, Executive Director of USEFP. The Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, HEC, and all stakeholders associated with the programme extend their deepest condolences to Dr. Moran and his family and express their solidarity with them during this difficult time. USEFP’s continued commitment to advancing this important partnership despite these circumstances is deeply appreciated.
Minister of State Ms. Wajiha Qamar reaffirmed that education remains one of the strongest and most enduring bridges between Pakistan and the United States. She emphasized that the revival of the Pakistan–U.S. Higher Education Working Group and the renewal of the Fulbright-HEC partnership demonstrate both countries’ commitment to moving from dialogue to tangible, long-term outcomes for students, scholars, universities, and institutions.
The Government of Pakistan remains committed to expanding access to quality higher education, strengthening research and innovation, developing a globally competitive and highly skilled workforce, and building meaningful international academic partnerships. Under the leadership of Minister of State Ms. Wajiha Qamar, the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training will continue to advance Pakistan–U.S. educational cooperation and translate institutional partnerships into concrete opportunities for Pakistan’s youth and academic community.
The renewed Fulbright-HEC agreement reflects these priorities and underscores the enduring value of educational diplomacy in promoting mutual understanding, knowledge exchange, human capital development, and shared progress between Pakistan and the United States.
