Tweets began pouring in just a few minutes after the event started, each accompanied by #PUANIslamabadWalay. After three years of pandemic restrictions, the evening of the Islamabad-Rawalpindi Chapter reunion brought together approximately 700 alumni to network and share ideas with one another.
Paul Giblin, Public Diplomacy Officer, U.S. Embassy, gave encouraging remarks and acknowledged the tireless efforts of PUAN alumni by calling it. “the largest and the best alumni network.” PUAN Country President Syed Khurram Gillani and Islamabad-Rawalpindi Chapter President Syed Shahid Kazmi encouraged participants to volunteer for the philanthropic activities of the network. The Chapter reunion also featured a job fair that brought international and local companies led by alumni to offer on-site recruitment.
Deputy Chief of Mission Andrew Schober highlighted the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Pakistan bilateral relations on the eve of the reunion. Recognizing the extensive contributions that members of the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) have made to their communities since the organization’s founding in 2008, the Deputy Chief of Mission stated, “the 75th anniversary of relations between our two countries demonstrates our enduring people-to-people ties. The future depends not just on our leaders; it depends on our people. PUAN and its 37,000 members are a great example of the power of that people-to-people relationship.”
The reunion also had two interesting discussion panels. The first panel discussed the significance of the Alumni Small Grants (ASG) program and how to utilize these grants to improve local communities. The panel was comprised of alumni who had successfully completed ASG projects. They shared best practices and success stories of ASG projects. The second panel highlighted the exchange experiences of more established senior alumni to inspire new alumni to give back to their communities.
Several prominent alumni and mentors were awarded distinguished Alumni and Emerging Leader awards for their continued commitment to the cause of engaging and empowering communities.
The reunion was the gathering of a diverse group of people in the PUAN Islamabad-Rawalpindi Chapter; from teenage YES alumni to mid-career professionals of the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP); the diversity of age, occupation, and backgrounds made the event an enriching experience for all those who attended it. It was truly an evening to reconnect, recharge, engage, and get inspired by the enthusiasm of 700 exchange alumni.
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