Send-off Reception for Spring 2018 Exchange Scholars

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Pakistani officials recognized 24 students and 7 faculty members from National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar (UET Peshawar) who will spend a semester at Arizona State University (ASU) in the United States. During their U.S.-sponsored exchange program, they will conduct research on Pakistan’s most pressing energy challenges.

This is the fifth cohort of energy engineering students and faculty members traveling to the United States under the USAID-funded U.S.-Pakistan Centers for Advanced Studies in Energy program. During their four-month stay, the students and faculty will engage in experimental research on energy at ASU labs under the supervision of faculty to design, execute and analyze experiments in areas such as solar panels and batteries. They will also take part in industrial visits to learn more about power generation mechanisms in the United States.

Speaking at the ceremony, USAID Mission Director Jerry Bisson said, “This exchange program focused on energy research is a symbol of the partnership between the United States and Pakistan for developing strong educational institutions.” He encouraged the students to use this opportunity to hone their skills in energy research under the supervision of senior professors at ASU.

Students from the outgoing batch also shared their excitement about the program and the opportunity to work with international researchers.

A total of 111 students and faculty members from NUST and UET Peshawar have successfully completed exchange programs so far and are currently working on energy projects. These exchange visits provide faculty an opportunity to enhance their teaching skills and to learn how to build successful partnerships between academia and the corporate sector, while students will focus on research and industry awareness.