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AKU’s Seminar on Language, Culture, and Identity: Issues
and Challenges
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Educationists Highlight Role of English Language in Access to Higher
Education
“The importance of English language has been recognized at national,
regional and global levels. Global trends in education, technology
and business suggest that English as a world language will play a
significant role in the years to come.” This was stated by Dr
Hamida Khuhro, Minister for Education and Literacy, Government of
Sindh, who was the chief guest at the inaugural session of the two-day
international seminar titled “Language, Culture, and Identity:
Issues and Challenges” that concluded on July 17, 2005. The
seminar was organized by Aga Khan University (AKU) Centre of English
Language (CEL).
The prime objective of the seminar was to address issues related to
culture and identity in learning a foreign or second language, such
as English; and to provide English language teaching (ELT) professionals
the opportunity to develop strategies for addressing relevant issues
and emerging challenges in Pakistan in particular, and the region
in general.
Addressing English language teachers and educationists from Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Syria, Malaysia and the UK, as well
as faculty, staff and students of the University, Dr Khuhro said that
the rapid spread of English has serious implications for all developing
countries, including Pakistan, and “the role of English for
access to higher education is undeniable – and the government
fully realizes this fact.” Dr Khuhro noted that English as a
medium of instruction in higher education in Pakistan demands the
introduction of efficient and suitable English language programmes
which provide support to students with limited English proficiency
on the basis of access and equity. “There is an urgent need
to train teachers especially from the public sector, schools, colleges
and universities in the latest English Language Teaching approaches
and methodologies, to enhance the proficiency of their students,”
the Minister pointed out. She assured that she would support the idea
of introducing multilingualism in the classroom, in order that students
develop command also over their own mother tongues. The Minister praised
the Centre of English Language at AKU for playing its due role in
contributing to the development of English Language Teaching in Pakistan
and the region, terming the seminar an effort in that direction.
In his keynote speech Dr Rama Kant Agnihotri from Delhi University,
India, highlighted the importance of human multilinguality in the
march towards peace, justice, and equality. He said that there was
a positive relationship between multilingualism, mental growth and
educational achievement, which pointed to the need for promoting multilingual
education in schools.
On this occasion, Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, President Aga Khan University,
described the seminar theme as highly relevant in the present multilingual
and multicultural societies where the learning and teaching of an
international language, such as English, is imperative for, amongst
other reasons, economic advancement. "The importance of English cannot
be over-emphasized as it has now become one of the few international
languages in which nations across the world teach higher education
and conduct business," he noted. The President said that "encouraging
bilingualism in Pakistan will be a service to the country."
Charles Walker, Director of British Council, Karachi, shed light on
British Council's long history of collaboration with CEL, saying that
the core aim of the British Council was to develop lasting and productive
relationship between the people in Britain and Pakistan.
Dr David Taylor, Acting Provost of AKU, dubbed the seminar an opportunity
to share expertise, opinions, and research with like-minded people
worldwide, and Dr Sabiha Mansoor, Head of CEL, reiterated CEL's commitment
to playing a vital role in the development of English Language Teachers
not only in Pakistan, but also across the region.
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