US Ambassador Donald Blome congratulated 120 Pakistani students and scholars on Thursday for receiving prestigious Fulbright scholarships to pursue Master's and PhD programs in the United States. The group also includes participants in the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program. The Fulbright Program, the US government's flagship academic exchange initiative, is notably one of the largest in Pakistan. To prepare departing students for their academic journey and cultural immersion, the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) organised a two-day pre-departure orientation. “You have succeeded in an incredibly competitive application process, and you should be proud of your achievement,” said Ambassador Blome. “I’m particularly pleased to see such a diverse group of Fulbright participants here, representing many geographical regions of Pakistan and various walks of life,” he added. This year's cohort will begin their studies at 66 US universities, covering disciplines such as health, education, computer sciences, environmental studies, and social sciences.  The group includes 102 Master's and 13 PhD students as well as five Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant fellows. Women constitute 55% of the group, highlighting the program's commitment to gender equality.  The program in Pakistan is managed by USEFP, a binational commission established in 1950 by the governments of the US and Pakistan. To date, over 2,896 Pakistanis have received Fulbright awards, contributing to addressing shared international challenges. Funded by the US government, Fulbright academic exchanges enable students to attend top-tier universities, conduct groundbreaking research, share knowledge, and forge global connections. The scholarship covers travel, living stipends, health insurance, and tuition for the entire study period.