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'English
and Higher Education: Future Directions'
Chief Secretary of Sindh,
Dr. Mutawakkil Kazi, on August 16, 2003, expressed the need to eradicate the duality
in the country's education system which ultimately translates into inequality,
poverty, and limitation of opportunities. Dr. Kazi was addressing the inaugural
session of a two-day international seminar organised by the Centre of English
Language (CEL) of Aga Khan University.
The theme of the seminar was "English and Higher Education: Future Directions".
Dr. Kazi who was the chief guest on the occasion said, "The rapid spread of
English language as a means for global communication is becoming a necessity
for all, and the government fully realises this challenge." He expressed Sindh
government's commitment to modernizing the educational set-up, taking AKU as
a model in this regard. He saw the seminar as a beginning of an association
between AKU and the government of Sindh and extended his support to such academic
endeavours.
In his welcome address,
Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, H.I., S.I., President of AKU, stressed the importance
of English in higher education and said, "The present seminar is a focal event
for the Centre to help generate, participate in, and benefit from wide-ranging
discussions on higher education and English language." He also complimented
the faculty and staff of CEL for establishing credibility of AKU in the field
of English language teaching and said that the Centre's receiving of Worldaware
Business Award 2002 was a matter of considerable pride for AKU. Kassim-Lakha
also underscored the need for reform in higher education and said that English
language teachers play an important role in this regard.
Dr. Hilary Nesi from the
University of Warwick, United Kingdom, in her keynote address highlighted the
ways in which introduction of Information Technology altered the study habits
and learning needs of students. She said that there was a need for developing
critical and analytical skills among students for effective use of Information
Technology for study purposes.
Charles Walker, Director,
British Council Karachi, shed light on the long history of collaboration between
AKU and CEL, calling CEL its invaluable partner. Speaking on the occasion Dr.
David Taylor, Acting Provost of AKU, called the seminar an effort to share expertise
and opinions with colleagues worldwide.
Dr Sabiha Mansoor, Head,
CEL, reiterated CEL's commitment to play a role in the development of ELT not
only in Pakistan
but also in the region. In this regard she announced the launching of CEL's
first postgraduate programme - Advanced Diploma Programme in TEFL, being developed
through higher education links with Warwick University,
UK.
The seminar invited prominent
ELT experts and educationists from Pakistan,
UK, UAE, Jordan,
Bangladesh,
Malaysia, and
Saudi Arabia.
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