The University of Peshawar and the Consulate General of the United States of America have inked an agreement to jointly establish a public information and activity centre at the Lincolns Corner of Varsity.
A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect was signed by the Vice Chancellor UoP Prof. Dr. Muhammad Rasul Jan and the US Consul General Mr. Gabriel Escobar in a ceremony held at the University of Peshawar. Public Affairs Officer Mr. Rymond Tripp and officials of the University were also present on the occasion. The mutual agreement would remain effective for three years wherein the University would provide maintenance and operational support to the corner and allow the Consulate to organize seminars and regular public activities on local and international issues on a prior permission from the UoP authorities.
The Consulate on the other hand would provide the necessary equipment like the computers, faxes and other necessary material on as and when requirement. The US consulate would also arrange speaker programs, cultural events, educational exchange and alumni activities, besides providing coordination and information concerning similar sponsored activities.
The prevailing environment was unpredictable and has posed many challenges to the local population especially the youth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA, said Vice Chancellor UoP Prof. Dr. Muhammad Rasul Jan while talking to the delegation.
He added that University is from Universe and we would encourage debates and discussions of topics relating to national and international issues. Dr. Jan said that the underprivileged people of FATA have had enough of the war and deprivation and it was high time to take concrete measures for peace. The development activities and promotion of education should follow so as to attain economics and infrastructure development in the war torn area, he said.
The US and Pakistan relations are not restricted to the war on terror and the former intends to have cordial people to people interaction with Pakistani people especially with the youth said Consul General Mr. Gabriel Escobar.
He added that the new generation of both the countries should move forward and build stronger ties for benefit of the both the nations.
The Consul General vowed to support the students of FATA studying in University of Peshawar in their pursuit for higher education. He was of the opinion that south East Asia was the focus of their mutual cooperation in the field of economics and commerce in the future.
Source: The Frontier Post.
