ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is now home to the world’s largest US government exchange alumni network, with nearly 45,000 Pakistanis having studied or trained in the United States, a living example to enduring power of educational diplomacy between the two nations.
Pakistan becomes home to largest US government exchange-program alumni network in the world, with nearly 45,000 Pakistanis having studied, trained or participated in US-funded academic and professional exchange programs, according to US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker. Speaking on the Pakistan Observer podcast, Baker said the milestone reflects decades of educational cooperation between Islamabad and Washington and underscores the central role people-to-people exchanges continue to play in strengthening bilateral relations.
“This is our Pakistan alumni network. This is the largest alumni network in the world,” Baker said while highlighting the recently inaugurated US Education Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) building in Islamabad.
The new facility houses Pakistan’s flagship Fulbright Program and serves as a central resource for students seeking higher education opportunities in the United States. Baker said the center provides information on scholarships, exchange programs and academic opportunities, while a nationwide network of Lincoln Corners—American resource centers located in universities and public libraries—offers digital libraries, educational resources and guidance for prospective applicants across Pakistan.
She stressed that these educational services are open to the public and remain a cornerstone of US-Pakistan engagement. Baker said the United States recently returned more than 450 cultural artifacts to Pakistan, which have been transferred to the Islamabad Museum.
The repatriation coincided with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Property Protection and Preservation, witnessed during the recent visit of Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Dr. Kapur. Calling the initiative unprecedented, Baker said the US-Pakistan collaboration on returning cultural heritage “is something that other countries have not done” and could serve as “a model for the rest of the world.”
She also praised Pakistan’s efforts to preserve its archaeological heritage, citing visits to Taxila and the archaeology department at Hazara University, where she commended ongoing work to protect the country’s rich historical legacy.
‘Only Pakistan Could Do It’: US Envoy credits Pak leadership for bringing US, Iran to Talking Table
