Islamabad:Sixty students gathered Friday at the Serena Hotel to kick off their pre-departure orientation for a year of study at US community colleges, says a press release.

This is the sixth group of Pakistani students to study in the United States under US government-funded Community College Initiative Programme. “I am excited to see these outstanding students from every province of Pakistan go to the United States,” said Dr. Marilyn Wyatt, spouse of US Ambassador Cameron Munter.

“They will be studying in US schools, learning new skills and becoming part of their local communities. They will have the opportunity to show everyday Americans the true face of Pakistan, and learn about Americans beyond the distorted stereotypes in the media.”

The Community College Initiative Programme is a one-year, non-degree scholarship program that provides opportunities for Pakistani young professionals to develop leadership, professional skills and English language proficiency, while studying at a community college in the United States. Participants study agriculture, applied engineering, business management and administration, nursing, media, or tourism and hospitality management.

The US Embassy in Pakistan administers the largest educational and cultural programmes of any US Embassy in the world. More than 8,000 Pakistanis have participated in fully funded academic or professional development programmes in the United States. Five thousand Pakistani youth currently are enrolled in US government-funded English language programmes in Pakistan.The news