16 MUET Water Center Students Depart for USA on Exchange Visit

The fift group of 16 MS Scholars of U.S.-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCAS-W) at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET) Jamshoro departed for one-semester exchange visit to the United States on Monday. Before their departure, USPCAS-W Project Director Dr. Bakhshal Lashari and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Education Specialist Hafeez Samo had separate briefing sessions with the departing exchange students at USPCAS-W MUET and at local hotel Hyderabad respectively.

In the briefing at the Center, Dr. Lashari said that the exchange visit would be very much beneficial for the students for their research skills. He noted that USPCAS-W was established in the generous support by the American People through USAID Pakistan. He said that exchange visit is one of the prominent features of the USPCASW – the MUET Water Center, which is also fully funded by USAID. Dr. Lashari further suggested the scholars involve themselves in academic, research, co-curricular and cultural activities during their stay at the University of Utah and the Colorado State University of USA. He also emphasized on the leaving students to have interaction with other international students during their stay in the USA. While Mr. Samo congratulating the selected students for the exchange program said that they are among a few out of hundreds of thousand students who are studying in the country could have an opportunity to visit and study abroad especially at USA.

He said that the students exchange program is not merely learning an academic courses but also it paves the way for socio-cultural activities and exploring the wonders of America like hiking on the hills. He further the exchange program also serves as the great opportunity for networking with other students from different parts of the world. Deputy Director USPCAS-W Dr. Rasool Bux Mahar, Director Internship and Placement Dr. Kamran Ansari, Exchange Scholarship Coordinator Haamid Ali Shaikh, Communication, Media and Outreach Expert Sahib Khan Bhand also attended the meeting. During their four-month exchange visit, the students would attend specific courses and work on their research projects in co-supervision of their respective professors at University of Utah and Colorado State University of USA. The University of Utah is the partner university provides technical assistance for advancing the development and sustainability of the Center. Before this cohort, more than 70 students including 14 faculty members and two technical staff have availed the exchange scholarship opportunity so far.