This May, USEFP hosted its annual Fulbright Connect event in the capital city. More than 125 Fulbright and Humphrey alumni from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and nearby cities came together for a night of engagement and idea sharing.
This professional networking event is hosted every year across six cities nationwide for Fulbright and Humphrey alumni, U.S. Government representatives, and special guests. It provides a chance for returning grantees to meet seasoned alumni, strengthening the ties that make the Fulbright community in Pakistan such a vibrant and diverse network.
This year’s gathering held special significance as a heartfelt farewell was extended to USEFP’s exiting executive director Rita Akhtar, who has played a pivotal role in shaping alumni programming. Participants expressed deep gratitude for Akhtar’s years of leadership.
“It has been a great privilege to observe the professional trajectories of so many alumni. These programs have created a community of change makers that continue to serve Pakistan. I’m very proud of that,” said Akhtar.
The evening also marked a new beginning as the alumni community welcomed Dr. Peter Moran, USEFP’s newly appointed executive director, with great gusto. With an extensive background in international education and academic leadership, Dr. Moran brings a fresh perspective and renewed commitment to enhancing the Fulbright Program’s reach and relevance.
Fulbright Connect events are central to USEFP’s ongoing efforts to engage alumni and foster collaboration across sectors. Pakistan’s Fulbright alumni network spans government, academia, civil society, and the private sector, building bridges between the United States and Pakistan through knowledge, innovation, and service.
