ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and the United States have renewed their higher education partnership. The new agreement will support academic and research opportunities for Pakistani scholars.
The agreement was signed between the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP).
The renewed partnership will cover Financial Year 2026-27 through 2031-32. It will include several major academic and scholarship programmes.
These programmes include the Fulbright Master’s and PhD programmes. The agreement also covers the Visiting Scholar Programme for post-doctoral scholars.
The Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Programme is included as well. The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Programme will also continue.
The Fulbright Scholarship programme aims to support 66 PhD scholars over five years. Additional opportunities will be available through other programme streams.
The initiative will help Pakistani scholars pursue advanced education in the United States. It will also support research and professional development.
Scholars are expected to contribute to Pakistan’s development after completing their programmes. The partnership aims to strengthen the country’s academic and research capacity.
Under the agreement, HEC will provide at least $4.54 million annually. Total funding will be capped at Rs6.48 billion over five years.
The agreed payment schedule includes $2 million by June 30. Another $2 million will be provided by January 31.
The remaining balance will be paid by April 30. These payments depend on the timely release of government funds.
Interest earned on HEC funds held by USEFP will support student grants. This will provide additional financial support for students.
The selection process will remain based on merit. No fixed quotas will apply to specific groups, regions or categories.
HEC will directly participate in selection panels. It will also help identify priority study areas.
These fields will align with Pakistan’s national development and security needs. The approach aims to maintain academic quality and transparency.
A Joint Review Committee will monitor the programme twice each year. Representatives from both partner institutions will take part.
The committee will assess programme performance and overall impact. USEFP will also provide annual audited financial statements to HEC.
Relevant financial records will remain available for review. These measures are designed to strengthen accountability and financial oversight.
The renewed Fulbright Scholarship partnership will also support wider academic cooperation. HEC and USEFP plan joint awareness initiatives across Pakistan.
The initiatives will use HEC’s network of higher education institutions. This will help increase awareness of international academic opportunities.
The agreement also allows future cooperation in faculty and administrator exchanges. Other related educational initiatives may also be explored.
The partnership builds on the original Fulbright-HEC PhD agreement signed in February 2016. That agreement committed $25.786 million for 125 Pakistani scholars.
The earlier initiative was linked to the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor. The corridor was launched in June 2015.
The latest agreement represents the third phase of Fulbright-HEC cooperation. It marks nearly a decade of academic collaboration between the two institutions.
Over the years, the partnership has helped strengthen Pakistan’s research capacity. It has also promoted educational links between Pakistan and the United States.
The renewed Fulbright Scholarship agreement reflects both countries’ continued focus on higher education. It also supports research, innovation and professional development.
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The government said it remains committed to expanding access to quality education. It also aims to develop a skilled workforce through international partnerships.
