ISLAMABAD, NOV 17 (DNA) –German Ambassador to Pakistan Bernhard Schlagheck has underlined the importance of people-to-people contacts and exchange between the civil societies of Germany and Pakistan for enhanced bilateral relations.

He expressed these views while welcoming the German alumni during a function at his residence.

The cultural section of the German Embassy organised the German Pakistan Alumni Network at the residence of German ambassador to strengthen ties between former German scholarship holders from Pakistan and the German Embassy.

More than 100 alumni who visited Germany on different scholarship programs like DAAD scholarship, Alexander von Humboldt scholarship, Cross Culture Program scholarship and others took part in the meeting.

All of them spent some time in Germany either for studies, research or professional trainings.

Additionally, participants of subject-related short-term trips to Germany offered by the German Federal Foreign Office as well as German language teachers who attended trainings in Germany funded by Goethe-Institut took part in the alumni meeting.

Afterwards, representatives of the different scholarship programs shared their experiences gained during their stay in Germany.

As part of the event, the German organisation GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) gave an insight into their activities in Pakistan in the renewable energy sector and on climate change during an interactive panel discussion with representatives from the Pakistani government and the private sector.

More and more Pakistanis are interested in studying or doing research in Germany, so the German Pakistan Alumni Network is constantly growing. Currently, more than 4000 Pakistani students are studying in Germany.

They are attracted by high quality education and a conducive research environment. With its exchange programs, the German government supports students, scholars and professionals to gain experience in Germany, advance their career and broaden their horizon on a professional, cultural and personal level.

Today’s alumni meeting was an experience-sharing and networking opportunity for German Pakistan Alumni.The participants also discussed their expectations and ideas for an active German-Pakistan Alumni network for the future.

The event ended with a cultural performance by Asfand Yar Khattak and Alina Chaudry.=DNA