EducationUSA Pakistan’s highly anticipated spring edition of the 2025 South Asia Tour was held from February 16 to 25 and brought 22 representatives from 20 accredited U.S. higher education institutions (HEIs) to the country. During the 10-day time frame, visiting HEI reps built lasting connections with students, parents, counselors and EducationUSA team members through large fairs, strategic school and university visits, and curated networking events.
Impressive footfall
Around 950 people attended the fair in Karachi, 730 in Lahore, and 700 in Islamabad, bringing the total footfall to a whopping 2,380 attendees.
“These large fairs are crucial in promoting higher education opportunities in the United States to a wider group of prospective students,” said EducationUSA Advising Director Kathy Aziz. “We always draw large crowds, and this year was no exception. According to the latest Open Doors report, there are currently nearly 11,000 Pakistani students studying in the United States, and it’s great to tangibly observe that interest in U.S. higher education remains high.”
U.S. Consul General Lahore Kristin Hawkins, U.S. Consul General Karachi Scott Urbom, and Chad Twitty, the public engagement officer at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, also participated, further underscoring the significance of these fairs.
Inside Pakistani institutions
The tour also included well organized visits to schools and universities in all three cities, offering more intimate settings for potential student recruitment. During trips to 17 schools and 8 universities, reps were able to offer personalized guidance and directly observe the talent in the country.
“The South Asia tour provides students and counselors direct access to U.S. university representatives, enabling them to gain firsthand information about admissions, scholarships, academic programs, and career prospects,” said USEFP Executive Director Rita Akhtar. “The connections formed during these days help so many students. We are always thrilled to host HEIs so they can see the recruitment potential here.”
Along with the fairs and school visits, the reps also participated in networking events and cultural excursions.
“All the activities and visits were wonderfully organized,” said the Savannah College of Art and Design representative Mahnoor Fatima. “EducationUSA Pakistan’s team is great – everyone is so approachable and accommodating. We were well taken care of.”
Kenneth F DiSaia from the University of Bridgeport praised the tour for effectively meeting all recruitment needs.
“Great team!” he said, echoing Fatima.
