British Council Chief Visits Pakistan to Mark 90 Years of Global Connection
— November 11, 2024
ISLAMABAD (AIA) The British Council’s Chief Executive, Scott McDonald, is visiting Pakistan from 11-15 November, marking a significant milestone as the organisation celebrates 90 years of global connections. This visit underscores the British Council’s dedication to fostering educational, cultural, and economic ties between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, according to a press release.
Since opening its first office in Karachi in 1948, the British Council has expanded to over 300 staff members across Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore, helping millions of Pakistanis access educational and cultural opportunities. The British Council remains committed to supporting Pakistan’s youth, educators, and communities in achieving their potential and promoting a peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous future.
McDonald expressed his enthusiasm for the visit, noting, “Pakistan has one of the strongest British Council operations globally, and I am thrilled that we continue to create lasting opportunities for young Pakistanis to succeed and build an optimistic future.”
During his visit, McDonald will tour British Council offices in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. His schedule includes attending a ceremony commemorating 10 years of the Scotland Scholarship for Women and Girls, overseeing school exams, and reviewing cultural heritage projects funded through the Cultural Protection Fund, a partnership with the UK Department for Culture, Media, and Sport. He will also engage with senior government officials and launch new programmes.
The British Council has played a crucial role in education and cultural exchange in Pakistan, facilitating over 1,000,000 exams across 40 cities in the past 18 months and supporting 435,000 children in enrolling in public schools. Through the Scottish Government’s scholarship scheme, the Council has enabled 2,000 young women to pursue higher education and has helped bring 17,000 girls into school over the last decade.
The Pak-UK Education Gateway, a collaboration with Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission, aims to address critical issues such as climate change while supporting research, student mobility, and access to UK qualifications, with 10,000 Pakistani students currently enrolled in UK programmes.
Celebrating its 90th anniversary, the British Council’s longstanding partnership with Pakistan exemplifies its commitment to building trust and fostering enduring ties between the people, institutions, and governments of both nations.