Press Releases 2008
U.S. Diplomat Congratulates Graduates of English ACCESS Micro-Scholarship Program
August 20, 2008
Multan - U.S. Consulate Lahore Principal Officer, Bryan D. Hunt emphasized that, "English ACCESS Micro-scholarship Program graduates now have enhanced English language skills" while speaking to the program graduates in Multan today.
Addressing the graduation ceremony of English ACCESS Micro-scholarship Program, a U.S. State Department initiative implemented by the Better World Foundation, Principal Officer Hunt remarked that the "graduates of the program are now better equipped to gain admission to Pakistan's universities and, in the future, participate in a job market which values communication skills."
Principal Officer Hunt distributed certificates to the graduates of the program. Mr. Hunt and Public Affairs Officer Traci Mell attended the graduation ceremony and enjoyed the skits presented by the students.
The English ACCESS Micro-scholarship Program is an initiative of the U.S. State Department that provides an American-style classroom experience to underprivileged youth around the world. The goal of this two-year program is to adequately prepare bright students in written and spoken English so that they can gain admission to Pakistan's universities, thus permitting them to compete more effectively with students who have studied in English-medium schools.
The first ACCESS program in Pakistan was started in Lahore in 2004. Approximately 1,370 students are participating in the ACCESS Micro-scholarship program throughout Pakistan, which is currently being run in the following cities: Peshawar, Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi and Gwadar.
During their visit to Multan, Principal Officer Hunt and Pubic Affairs Officer Mell also visited SOS village where the SOS Secretary General, Mehnaz Fareed briefed them about the contribution of SOS towards the welfare of children.