Pakistan’s Unlikely Hot Spot
Amid the nation’s political turmoil, a restaurateur brings glamour to Lahore

By PETER WONACOTT
September 1, 2007; Page P7

LAHORE, Pakistan As the son of a courtesan, Iqbal Hussain learned early that beauty has a price. In his career as an artist — painting portraits of prostitutes mostly — Mr. Hussain sold images of sullied beauty for great sums. The sun falls behind the domes of the Badshahi mosque.

Now, the 57-year-old Mr. Hussain is owner of Coco’s Den, a symbol of a nascent effort to capitalize on this city’s well-worn charms. His restaurant is set beside two majestic monuments in the crumbling, ancient heart of Lahore. In the evenings, the rooftop is crammed with wealthy locals and tourists who peer over the red sandstone walls of the 17th century Badshahi Mosque, one of the world’s largest.

You can check out the rest of the story at: online.wsj.com/article/SB118859664577115054.html

LAHORE: A group of 15 Pakistani educators recently returned home after completing a three-week summer course at Plymouth State University (PSU), New Hampshire, the United States.

Funded by the US State Department, the Pakistan Educational Leadership Institute (PELI) was organised by PSU and the Lahore-based NGO Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA), stated a press release on Friday.

“People-to-people interaction helped us remove misconceptions about each other,” said ITA’s Saima Hasrat, while University of Education’s Mubasher Nadeem said the programme “broadened my vision”. Other participants called the programme a “wonderful experience” and the graduation ceremony a “memorable event”.

In Washington DC, the group met South and Central Asian Affairs deputy assistant secretary John Gastright and Educational and Cultural Affairs deputy assistant secretary Alina Romanowski. The educators also met representatives from Senator Judd Gregg’s office, Pakistani Embassy, and State Department’s Education and Cultural Affairs office. The 2007 programme was steered by PSU’s Blake Allen, and it focused on research and evaluation techniques to track the impact of teacher education.

Since the programme’s beginning in 2004, 80 educators, including senior subject specialists at the secondary level, have participated in it. The categories covered in the programme are English, mathematics, science and school leadership.

According to ITA, Pakistani alumni have trained around 10,000 educators in Pakistan in their role as master-trainers.

The selected participants this year represented following institutions: Departments of Education in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sindh Education Foundation, Allama Iqbal Open University, University of Education, Directorate of Staff Development, University of Punjab, Federal College of Education, Sanjan Nagar Public Education Trust, and Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi.

Here is the story on the “Daily Times” Web site:

Friday, July 27, 2007

Pakistanis ‘graduate’ at PSU

By BOB MARTIN

HOLDERNESS - Just a day after returning from Washington D.C. as part of a seminar, 15 educators from Pakistan participated in a commencement ceremony this week, making them the fourth graduating class of its kind at Plymouth State University…

DURING THE Wednesday afternoon closing ceremony for the 2007 Pakistani Educational Leadership Institute Participants Sarwat Naz Qureshi of Pakistan proudly displays her certificate.

A story also ran in the “Union Leader” on Saturday, July 21–It’ll be posted when a copy is available.

the “Record Enterprise” Thursday, Aug. 2.

PSU Says Goodbye to Pakistani Educational

08/02/2007 – PLYMOUTH— After more than three weeks of intense training sessions, meetings at Harvard University and the U.S. State Department in Washington D.C., this year’s 15 participants of Plymouth State University’s Pakistani Educational Leadership Institute (PELI) officially completed their program with closing ceremonies July 25 on the PSU campus, leaving for home the next day.

Pakistani Educational Leadership Institute participant Faiza Shahrukh receives her certificate from Plymouth State University President Sara Jayne Steen at closing ceremonies held last week. Fifteen Pakistani educators completed an intensive three-week summer program of study in professional development at PSU last week.

The PELI program focused on best practices in education and exemplary models in professional development and pedagogy. The institute experience also provided opportunities for citizen exchanges that reflect the essence of life in a democratic society. In congratulating the institute members, University President Sara Jayne Steen spoke about the difficulties between the U.S. and Pakistan and said some people think the problems are too difficult and avoid them, but that education is about touching human lives and solving problems.

She talked about the ongoing reciprocal learning between the group members and the Plymouth State faculty and staff, describing that learning as “genuinely effective and mutually respectful.” In closing, President Steen quoted Miranda, a character in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, “O brave new world, That has such people in’t!” and explained that in that speech Shakespeare challenges the reader to consider whether Miranda’s view is naïve or correct. She said, “Today is one of those moments when Miranda may be right. Sometimes people are extraordinary, and there are opportunities presented to us.”

Representatives of the participants affirmed the cultural exchange that occurred between the groups. Professor Mubasher Nadeem said, “We have brothers over here, we have sisters over here and we have friends over here.” Referring to the imminent parting, he quoted Robert Frost … “The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.

Nadeem’s colleague, 2004 and 2007 alumna Samia Rehman Dogar, highlighted the opportunity of working with distinguished intellectuals and thanked them for their “sincere efforts in providing our success in leadership that will help the people of Pakistan.” Each participant was called to the platform for presentation of an official certificate in a university diploma cover and a green and white sash with both Pakistani and university emblems.

PSU hosted the group of Pakistani educators for the fourth consecutive year as part of its Pakistani Educational Leadership Institute. Since 2004 PSU has trained 65 educators from Pakistan in three summer institutes; this group brings the number of program participants to 80. According to statistics compiled by Lahore-based Pakistani partner Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi, alumni of the program acting as master trainers in Pakistan have trained almost 10,000 educators. The Department of State’s Education and Cultural Affairs Bureau (ECA) works closely with Plymouth State University and the Pakistani partner organization, Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi, to ensure that the program curriculum reflects U.S.-Pakistan education cooperation goals. PELI information, photographs and videos are available online at www.pelinstitute.org.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

The Exchange

A Pakistani Roundtable in New Hampshire: A panel of educators from Pakistan joins us. They are studying this summer at Plymouth State University. They’re here to get the leadership tools they need to promote change in their country’s educational system. We’ll talk with our panel about that and about life in Pakistan – the culture, the politics and their impressions of America.

US State Department Hosts Pakistani Educators for Special Training Program

WASHINGTON D.C. –The U.S. Department of State welcomes a group of 15 Pakistani educators and administrators, who arrived in the United States earlier this month for an intensive summer training program on the campus of Plymouth State University in Plymouth, New Hampshire. Under a Citizen Exchange grant from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Plymouth State University (PSU) is hosting a group of Pakistani educators for the fourth consecutive year as part of its Pakistani Educational Leadership Institute. Since 2004 PSU has trained 65 educators from Pakistan in three summer institutes; this group brings the number of program participants to 80.

While in New Hampshire, the Pakistani participants are taking part in intensive training in research design and in quantitative and qualitative assessment and evaluation methodologies. They will utilize these methodologies upon their return to Pakistan to evaluate the success and effect of the program on the work of the participants from the previous three years. According to statistics compiled by Lahore-based Pakistani partner Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi, alumni of the program acting as master trainers in Pakistan have trained almost 10,000 educators. The group also will travel to Boston, Massachusetts, during their program, and conclude their program with a trip to Washington, DC.

The Department of State’s Education and Cultural Affairs Bureau (ECA) works closely with Plymouth State University and the Pakistani partner organization, Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi, to ensure that the program curriculum reflects U.S.-Pakistan education cooperation goals. The curriculum focuses on best practices in education and on exemplar models in professional development and pedagogy. The institute experience also provides opportunities for citizen exchanges that reflect the essence of life in a democratic society.

For more information about Citizen Exchange programs or other exchanges managed by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, contact Darlene Kirk, (202) 203-7616. More information on the U.S.-Pakistan education cooperation is available at: http://pakistan.usembassy.gov/pakistan/h06113002.html.

2007/618

Released on July 20, 2007

Check back to Mary Ann’s Web site as she promises that more clips will be posted after this weekend.

You can see more of Mary Ann’s work online at: www.getsaint.com..

Host Laura Knoy led the discussion through a variety of subjects including education as a vehicle for peace; media misrepresentations of foriegn cultures; and the Pakistani guests’ impressions of New Hampshire having been here for nearly a week. Both Yasir and Faiza were candid in their comments regarding common perceptions–or misperceptions that Americans often have about Pakistanis and vice versa. I was impressed by the depth and breadth of their insights. PELI director Blake Allen added context to the program by providing an overview of PELI. She is the ultimate advocate for this program and her enthusiasm is infectious.

Following is the promo for today’s on NHPR’s Web site

The Exchange

A Pakistani Roundtable in New Hampshire: A panel of educators from Pakistan joins us. They are studying this summer at Plymouth State University. They’re here to get the leadership tools they need to promote change in their country’s educational system. We’ll talk with our panel about that and about life in Pakistan – the culture, the politics and their impressions of America.

Pakistan Summer Institute for Teacher’s Training 2006.

Overview by Khawaja Tariq Shafi

After the devastating earthquake of October 2005, It was a great privilege for me and also for my companions that we got a chance cope with our trauma through Plymouth State’s 4 week Summer Institute , because many of us has had experienced losses of life as well as property.

The chance was given by ITA and PSU in assistance with the State Dept., Bureau of State Department of USA. Although it was a month based programmed but it changed our whole lives by seeking different techniques and by making social and educational contact with our American brethren.

It was a small but a very focused programmed which not only enhanced our subject knowledge but also created educational leadership and pedagogical skills of Pakistani teachers.

The PSU design team and faculty for this four week program offered enriching seminar for the professional development of Pakistani group.

A series of social gatherings were held to introduce participants to the members of PSU and other NH Community for educational and cultural experience.

We also organized a cultural night named “Jevey Pakistan Cultural Night 2006” in which diverse culture of Pakistan was successfully demonstrated before PSU staff and then family members. Gift ceremony was also one of the traditional events of Pakistani group.

During the stay we got a chance to visit, Niagara Falls, New York City and different states of the USA. These tours were recreational as well as educational. It was really a wonderful experience, along with indoor studies and outside trips as well. We gained a lot and improved our skills regarding new and learner centered teaching and learning in schools.

In short it is a beauty of diverse culture between Pakistan and USA

It can promote good with and cultural understanding between the two countries. I am grateful to ITA, SINP and PSU to have given me a chance to improve my knowledge. This is a kind of program which should be continued in the future.

I am also thankful to Baela Jamil, Beena Raza and Blake Allen and her husband John who really took care of us and also she is still appreciating my work.

Last but not least I am deeply indebted to my department in Azad Kashmir for nominating me for this prestigious training. The competition was tough as we had to go through a rigorous process of test and interviews. This was a lifetime opportunity as I had never been nominated for training outside the country. The fact that I was a senior subject specialist posted in a school from a very backward area in the Kashmir Valley. During the earthquake my school was totally destroyed and my 10-year-old son was an unfortunate victim studying in the same school. The PSU experience has given me the vision, courage and the motivation to overcome my personal tragedy. I left the USA with a very positive frame of mind and am now totally committed to bringing quality changes in the classrooms through training my other colleagues and giving feedback to the Dept. of Education.

Because of my selection for PSU’s Summer Institute my Dept. acknowledged the new pedagogical practices I acquired in a short span of time and as an incentive and recognition of my hard work I have been nominated for M.Ed (assessment and evaluation) Melbourne University, Australia for 2008.

For the fourth consecutive year, thanks to funding from the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Plymouth State University through the Pakistani Educational Leadership Institute will host and engage Pakistani educators and administrators by giving them more skills to lead educational initiatives and affect change in Pakistan. This year’s Institute will host 15 honored guests from Pakistan from July 4 through July 26.

“Plymouth State University’s Pakistani Institutes, designed as training for educational leaders from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan’s public and public/private sectors in partnership with Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi, represent the essence of citizen exchanges,” said PELI Director Blake Allen. “The summer institutes have linked a growing number of people, communities and institutions in New Hampshire and Pakistan due to a shared passion for excellence in education.”

To date, Plymouth State University’s 65 Pakistani alumni have trained over 9,600 educators in American innovations in education as the linkages continue to strengthen and grow.

This year’s list of participants includes educational leaders–directors, professors, and managers–that represent the Pakistani Department of Education, three universities, and private education-based organizations.According to Dr. Munawar Mirza, Vice Chancellor, University Education Lahore, expectations for this group of Pakistani educators are high.

“It is a pleasure to be here today with the PSU nominees… this is an excellent effort,” Mirza told the group as they prepared to leave for the United States. “The initiatives’ greatness lies in the fact that it involves the public sector which caters to majority of the population. It is an excellent idea to send people abroad to learn. This year’s program is slightly different. Previously people have been receiving trainings to teach whereas this time, the focus area is very different and significant. Very little is known in Pakistan through systematic research. This group should learn how classroom teachers research and how can educators use research in their teachings.”

This year the PEL Institute will focus on the following goals. The three-week PEL Institute creates an atmosphere where Pakistani educators can come and immerse themselves in an inspiring and creative learning environment and work to:

• Enhance leadership capabilities to affect positive change in the educational environments and systems in their communities.
• Employ entrepreneurial educational skills by using “the world is our classroom” theme.
• Create a truly collaborative effort that crosses communities, regions, and countries by connecting people through their common goal — excellence in education.
• Develop an instrument to assess the skills and evaluate the programs developed by the 65 previous master trainers, measuring their impact on the organizations and communities that they represent.
• Empower master trainers to adapt American student centered and interactive learning strategies to public education initiatives in Pakistan.
• Continue expanding the collaboration with Pakistan partner ITA that is an integral component of this effort.
• Celebrate a citizens exchange that focuses on sharing ideas and experiences

- end -

Pakistani Teachers To Attend Summer Institute At Plymouth State University

06/25/2007

Lahore, June 25, 2007 – Principal Officer of the U.S. Consulate Lahore Bryan Hunt with Pakistani educators traveling to the U.S. to attend a summer institute at the Plymouth State University (PSU), New Hampshire. Funded by the U.S. State Department, the summer institute is a collaboration between PSU and Lahore-based NGO Idara-e-Taleem-o-Agahi (ITA).

U.S. Consulate Principal Officer Bryan Hunt Hands Over Tickets to Educators at a Pre-departure Orientation

Lahore – Principal Officer of the U.S. Consulate Lahore Bryan Hunt today handed over air tickets to a group of Pakistani educators traveling to the U.S. to attend a summer institute at the Plymouth State University (PSU), New Hampshire. Funded by the U.S. State Department, the summer institute is a collaboration between PSU and Lahore-based NGO Idara-e-Taleem-o-Agahi (ITA).

Speaking at the pre-departure orientation, Mr. Bryan Hunt said, “The program exemplifies U.S. commitment to education in Pakistan – not only for students, but also educators and researchers. I congratulate the educators selected for the program and hope the summer institute enhances their professional skills.”

Educators selected for the Pakistan Educational Leadership Institute (PELI) are drawn from different areas of the country and represent training, teaching and research institutes. The educators work in Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab and the earthquake-affected areas of Azad Kashmir.

The program was initiated in 2004 and since then 65 educators, including senior subject specialists at secondary level, have participated in the program. The categories covered under the program are English, Mathematics, Science and School Leadership.

Plymouth State University has national, regional and state accreditation and is a recognized program in New Hampshire for teacher education. The purpose of the summer institute is to enhance knowledge and skills of selected educators and administrators in the area of research design and implementation.