ISLAMABAD: 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).

According to the federal ministry of education, the renewal of partnership reaffirmed shared commitment to academic excellence, human capital development, research, and international educational cooperation.

The agreement was signed by USEFP Executive Director Dr Peter Moran and HEC Executive Director Professor Dr Ziaul Haq at the USEFP headquarters in Islamabad on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Moran stated: “USEFP-administered programs empower participants to develop skills and practical knowledge that directly benefit Pakistan’s development across all sectors of society. We are grateful for the continued partnership of the governments of the United States and Pakistan in advancing this mission.”

Agreement signed to support 66 PhD scholars while expanding opportunities for advanced education, research and academic exchange

Prof Haq on the occasion remarked: “The HEC–Fulbright long-standing partnership stands as a hallmark of educational cooperation and continues to deliver immense value to Pakistan’s higher education landscape.”

“The United States is proud to renew this partnership with Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission,” said David Moyer, Acting Minister Counselor for Public Diplomacy at the US Embassy.

According to a press release issued by the embassy, the programmes supported through the agreement reflect both governments’ investment in empowering future leaders, scholars, and professionals who will contribute to Pakistan’s progress while strengthening US-Pakistan ties.

“Through this partnership, Pakistani students and scholars gain access to the renowned American education system while improving capacity across Pakistan’s higher education sector. Americans coming to Pakistan collaborate on innovative research, business, and public health ventures that benefit U.S. universities, businesses, and the wider public,” it added.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the education ministry said Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Wajiha Qamar took the lead from the ministry in advancing Pakistan–United States educational cooperation.

“A significant milestone under Wajiha Qamar’s 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,” said the press release.

“The Ministry of Education 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 socioeconomic and institutional development upon their return.

As part of the financial commitment, HEC will provide at least $4.54 million annually, with the total funding commitment capped at Rs6.48 billion over the five-year period. The agreed payment schedule provides for $2 million by June 30, a further $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. 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 new agreement builds upon the original Fulbright-HEC PhD partnership signed in February 2016, under which $25.786 million was committed to support 125 Pakistani scholars during the fiscal year 2016–20. That landmark initiative emerged from high-level engagement between Pakistan and the United States, including the meeting between then US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif in October 2015, and was linked to the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor launched in June 2015.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2026