Under HESSA a U.S. government-funded project, four-day training for student service professionals from Pakistan’s public sector universities was held at UET Lahore. This USAID-supported workshop was part of a broader U.S. government partnership with 16 public sector universities across Pakistan to provide Pakistani students with the resources needed to succeed in their future careers. Dr. Randy McCrillis and Dr. Kari Ellingson from the University of Utah, Carrie Johnson from the American University in Cairo, and Dr. Kevin D’Arco from Duke University led trainings on topics such as student leadership development and mental health services. Participants gained valuable insights into how to effectively support students on their campuses.

Mr. Ansar Ali Khan, Deputy DSA and Mr. Aqeel Ahmed, Lecturer Pharmacy represented MUST under Student’s Executive Leadership and Student’s Mental Health Program respectively. At the workshop’s closing ceremony, U.S. Consul General in Lahore Kristin Hawkins emphasized how this USAID initiative is part of a longstanding U.S. commitment to supporting education in Pakistan. Consul General Hawkins said, “For decades, the United States has been Pakistan’s steadfast partner in expanding educational opportunities for Pakistani students. In close collaboration with our Pakistani partners, the United States has funded the construction of schools and university facilities across Pakistan, provided free-of-cost opportunities for Pakistani youth to study abroad, and strengthened the quality of existing academic programs. This week’s USAID workshop on strengthening higher education across Pakistan is the latest step in our educational partnership.”