Jan 23, 2013 07:30 PM EST By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

Universities from Khyber Pakthunkhwa (located in the north-west part of Pakistan) in alliance with American universities will take part in a three-year partnership, which will include research and faculty exchanges and an influx of $8.6 million from the U.S.

The conglomerate from Khyber Pakthunkhwa comprises of Abdul Wali Khan University, Kohat University of Science and Technology, University of Peshawar, University of Science and Technology Bannu and the Institute of Management Sciences.

The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakthunkhwa, Ameer Haider Khan Hoti, said that this partnership will strengthen ties between both the countries, which have been somewhat strained since the last decade. Hoti said that the exchange of information will not only help improve the curriculum of the universities here but also increase their research capabilities as well.

The alliance will also comprise of joint research projects between the Southern Methodist University and the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University and the University of Kentucky and the KP University conglomerates. 

Universities from both the sides will focus on subjects such as business education, psychology, American studies, business administration, management sciences, mass communications, media studies, social anthropology and women's and gender studies.

U.S.Consul General Robert Reed said that his country will be investing around $8.6 million over the next three years in the partnership. 

In order to help millions of Pakistan students complete their education and attain degrees, the U.S. has devoted itself to varied projects in Pakistan. 

Apart from introducing such partnerships, America is also planning on developing centers for advanced studies in areas of energy, water and agriculture at top universities in Pakistan. Plus, it also aims to introduce new degree programs at 90 teacher training colleges and universities and giving U.S. funded scholarships to more than 10,600 low income students in Pakistan.

The U.S.-funded exchange programs will facilitate 1,000 Pakistani students to attend US colleges and universities.

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