AKU-IED holds graduation ceremony for Advanced Diploma Programmes

Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) held a graduation ceremony for the Class of 2007 in two of its advanced diploma programmes on September 8, 2007 at Aga Khan University (AKU), Karachi . The diplomas were awarded to the graduates of ‘Advanced Diploma in Education: Educational Leadership and Management', and ‘ Advanced Diploma in Education: English Language Teaching' by the chief guest Mr Mazharul Haq Siddiqui, Vice-Chancellor, University of Sindh , Jamshoro.

Vice Chancellor Siddiqui said in his address that the work being done by AKU-IED in developing and delivering quality programmes in teacher education, educational leadership, English language teaching, early childhood education and development, and indeed several other areas was commendable. He stressed the importance of public-private partnership in efforts to improve the quality of education in the country. Speaking on the occasion, Dr David Taylor, Acting Provost, AKU, appreciated the support of the Federal and Provincial governments in the implementation of AKU's programmes and initiatives.

Dr Muhammad Memon, Director AKU-IED said that the Institute took the lead to develop programmes in educational leadership for head teachers and principals in response to the needs of the stakeholders. Education systems need to make joint efforts to enhance capacity of teachers, teacher educators and educational managers to develop schools as learning institutions in Pakistan . In order to transform the schools, school heads need to acquire core learning capabilities of fostering aspirations, developing reflective dialogue and understanding the complexity of the system.

AKU-IED's several programmes are field-based and are meant to create a ‘multiplier effect' as the graduates go back to their institutions and impart the benefits of their learning to fellow teachers, teacher administrators, school leaders, and indeed to the students in the classroom. The Advanced Diploma programme in Educational Leadership and Management is designed to facilitate the change process in schools and bring about an improvement in the quality of school management and governance. To date, this programme has graduated 228 teachers and head teachers.

The Advanced Diploma Programme in English Language Teaching addresses the needs of teachers from varied backgrounds, with the aim of enhancing the participants' pedagogical content knowledge with an emphasis on reflective practice and ‘constructivism' for change in teaching practice. The programme takes into account the classroom settings of the teachers in their respective institutions.

The quality of its educational iniatiatives has made AKU a role model for other institutions in the region. When reviewing existing programmes or adding new ones, AKU ensures the attributes of quality, relevance and impact are kept in mind.