LAHORE: A group of 105 students along with faculty members from National College of Business Administration and Economics spent a day out visiting various military units and formations of Pakistan Army at Lahore Garrison yesterday.

The day-long programme was organised to enlighten the students on routine functioning of Pakistan Army, its organisation and defence capabilities. Such visits are being arranged under ‘Know your Army’ - an initiative exclusively taken for the youth on instructions of Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif.

The students witnessed a demonstration by Quick Reaction Force to combat terrorists and commended the agility and fighting capability of the elements of Light Commando Battalion. They were also imparted technical knowhow in weapon handling and small arms firing skills.–PR

The students also visited the forward defensive locations and commended the professionalism, dedication and resolve of Army officers and jawans in defending the motherland.

The day long programme culminated with flag lowering ceremony at Pak-India joint check post at Wagha. The students were thrilled by smart turnout and bearing combined with immaculate drills by troops of Pakistan Rangers. They were captivated by highly charged crowd at the venue, chanting full throated slogans of Pakistan Zindabad.

On the conclusion of visit, the students thanked the Army higher command for arranging such a splendid and informative visit for them.

Factory workers’ children get English language skills

OUR STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE

Around 100 students celebrated their graduation from the English Access Micro-scholarship Program in Kasur yesterday.

A press release issued by the US Consulate in Lahore said that majority of the students’ parents are factory workers who were proud of their children’s accomplishments.

The English Access Micro-scholarship Program (Access) provides a foundation of English language skills to non-elite, 13-20 year old students through afterschool classes and intensive learning activities, according to the release.

Rachael Chen, the Public Affairs Officer U.S. Consulate General in Lahore, was the chief guest at the Graduation Ceremony. She encouraged the students to continue learning English, and referring to the Access Program logo, which is a key, she said that with English language skills, the students now hold a key which they can use to open the doors of success.

Access students gain an appreciation for American democratic values, increase their ability to participate successfully in the socio-economic development of their country, and gain the ability to compete for and participate in future U.S. exchange and study programs.

Access includes activities related to U.S. and Pakistani culture, the development of information technology skills, as well as leadership and community service. A selected number of Access students have had the opportunity to participate in short exchange programs in the United States.

The US Embassy currently supports 2930 Access students in 25 locations in Pakistan. Over 11,000 students have graduated from Access programs across Pakistan since 2004. The US Department of State currently supports Access Program in 85 countries around the world.