SARGODHA – United States Consul General to Lahore Colleen Crenwelge welcomed 125 students to the US State Department-funded English Access Microscholarship Program in Sargodha.
Under this initiative, over 13,000 students have graduated from Access programs across Pakistan since 2004. The US Department of State currently supports Access Programs in 80 countries around the world, says a press release issued by the US Consulate Lahore here on Thursday.
The English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) provides a foundation of English language skills to students between the ages of 13-20 through free afterschool classes and intensive learning activities.
Access students increase their ability to participate successfully in the socio-economic development of their country and to compete for and participate in future US exchange and study programs. Access includes activities related to US and Pakistani culture, the development of information technology skills, as well as leadership and community service.
A selected number of Access students have had the opportunity to participate in short exchange programs in the United States. The US Embassy currently supports more than 2,500 Access students in Pakistan.
The US Consulate General in Lahore launched the program in partnership with the University of Sargodha.
This is the second Access program launched in collaboration with the university. The envoy told the participants that “The Access Program will make you better students by helping you develop your English, leadership, and critical-thinking skills.
In the two-year program, you will have the opportunity to participate in many language-enhancing activities ranging from projects to public-speaking workshops.” She encouraged the students to take full advantage of their opportunities, continue to pursue their English studies even after the program ends and to inspire others to give back to their communities.
