Contact: Allison Matthews
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State now is a member of the U.S. Department of State's Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Pakistan.
The Global UGRAD-Pakistan program specifically involves a diverse group of youth leaders from underserved populations across the South Asian republic of more than 180 million people.
Akash Kumar recently came to campus through joint efforts of the department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Washington, D.C.-based International Research & Exchanges Board, or IREX. He is enrolled in the university's pre-engineering program.
Through U.S.-based training and practical experience in leadership positions, community engagements and study in professional fields, Kumar and other undergraduate participants are gaining skills needed to implement long-term civic and economic changes in their communities when they return home.
In addition to academic studies, Kumar and his peers at other institutions will be performing community service activities as they learn about American traditions through IREX's Cultural Passport to America program.
Global UGRAD-Pakistan members also serving as unofficial ambassadors for their country while in the U.S. In this role, they are available to make presentations about Pakistani life and culture at local schools, civic organization and other community venues.
Founded in 1968 and staffed by more than 400 professionals worldwide, IREX is a nonprofit organization that works to provide thought leadership and innovative programs that promote positive and lasting change globally. For details about Global UGAF-Pakistan, visit www.irex.org/project/global-undergraduate-exchange-program-pakistan-glob....
At MSU, the program is coordinated by the Office of International Relations in the International Institute. For more information, contact Karin Lee, director of international relations, at 662-325-5001 or karinlee@international.msstate.edu
Complete information on MSU is found at www.msstate.edu.