Pakistan’s Talent Showcased in Celebration of International Education Week (IEW)

November 17-22, 2014: The EducationUSA centers at the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) celebrated the 15th International Education Week (IEW) with style this year. A new event, “USEFP’s Got Talent” was launched to provide Pakistani youth with a platform to showcase their talent. The talent shows were held at Forman Christian College in Lahore, the Institute of Business Administration IBA in Karachi, and Bahria University in Islamabad. Local high school and college students performed for panels of celebrity judges. Winners received IPads or Kindles. USEFP’s Got Talent was held in partnership with Pakistan’s No.1 radio network, FM89.

IEW is an opportunity to promote and celebrate the benefits of international education and cultural exchange. Started as a joint initiative between the U.S. Department of State and U.S Department of Education, IEW is part of the effort to promote global learning programs and encourage future leaders to study, learn and exchange experiences in the United States.

Last year’s most popular events: IEW Sports Day and IEW Painting Competition were once again held in Islamabad and Lahore respectively. Over 400 students from 12 schools competed in football, basketball, and volleyball. Over 60 deaf students participated in the painting competition held at the Deaf Reach School in Karachi. Prizes were given to the best art work judged by local artist, and alumnus of the USEFP-managed Global Undergraduate Program. The week also featured webinars and networking sessions for school counselors, high achievers, and parents.

USEFP Executive Director Rita Akhtar addressed the audience and participants at the grand finale of USEFP’s Got Talent-Islamabad and said, “Students don’t have enough opportunities to show their talents. USEFP has been working in Pakistan for 64 years now, helping students get admission to colleges and universities in the U.S., whether through scholarship and exchange programs or through independent applications. U.S. universities encourage talent and achievement and offer superb programs in the performing arts and music and this talent show is a good way to highlight this. It has also been a lot of fun to see so much talent.”