NEW YORK: The Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) program was praised for its impactful role in developing young leaders and promoting cross-cultural understanding during a meeting between Aamer Ahmed Atozai, Consul General of Pakistan in New York, and Ken LeBlond, a representative of the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Mr. LeBlond, who manages the SUSIs program at UMass Amherst, briefed the Consul General on the structure and objectives of this U.S. Government-funded initiative, says a press release.
The program brings undergraduate students from Pakistan and other countries to the United States for intensive short-term academic sessions centered on leadership development, civic engagement, and a comprehensive understanding of U.S. society and public policy.
Consul General Atozai commended the program’s role in fostering leadership skills, encouraging open dialogue across cultures, and building long-term people-to-people ties between Pakistan and the United States. He emphasized that educational exchanges like SUSIs not only empower youth but also strengthen bilateral relationships at the grassroots level.
The two sides also discussed ways to enhance the cultural immersion of Pakistani students by encouraging greater engagement with the Pakistani-American community. The Consul General expressed the Consulate’s full support for the initiative and its willingness to facilitate meaningful community and institutional linkages.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to expanding academic collaboration and supporting youth-focused diplomacy as a powerful tool for international understanding and long-term cooperation.
