AKU-NAMA - Aga Khan University

How AKU-IED Helped Shape My CareerHaving done my Bachelors ofScience in Chemistry, I wasdetermined to become aprofessional in pharmaceuticalsales. Instead, I found myselfteaching science subjects at asecondary school. My careerbegan in 1992 at GovernmentHigh School, Nokkundi, a farflung area in Balochistan. ThoughI was known as one of the fewgood teachers, my teachingpractices were didactic. Iconsidered my students as blankslates, according to the orthodoxconcepts of learning, and laid toomuch emphasis on traditionalmethods of teaching. However,my struggle for professionaldevelopment continued, as Iavailed a scholarship for Bachelorsof Education and simultaneouslydid my Masters in Urdu(Language) in 1995.In 1997, I began reflecting on thedevelopments taking place in thefield of education worldwide andsought to reconceptualise theeducational processes. Fortunately,I got selected for anotherscholarship for the Masters inEducation (Teacher Education)programme through a World Bankfunded project offered by PrimaryEducation Directorate in Quetta.My real personal and professionalgrowth started at Aga KhanUniversity Institute forEducational Development (AKU-IED) which nurtured me in a 25-month long intensive and inclusiveprofessional developmentprogramme especially tailored forin-service teachers. The Instituteplayed a pivotal role in honing mypersonal and professionalattributes; and improving myknowledge of concepts andprofessional practice.After graduation in 1999, Ireturned to Balochistan and beganteaching at a school in Chagai.The difference in my approachwas stark. I had become moreenthusiastic and skilful thanbefore, trying to understand firstand be understood later. The yearfollowing that, equipped withrenewed spirit I was back at AKU-A view of the destruction after the 2005 earthquake that hit Pakistan’snorthern areas where Mr Zulfiqar Ali Shah and his colleagues assistedin rebuilding educational institutionsIED as academic staff for aUSAID project titled ‘EnhancingCapacity of NGOs/CBOs in theEducation Sector of Sindh.’As a member of AKU-IED’sinstructional teams, I had theopportunity to contribute indeveloping programmes, planningand organising teaching-learningmaterial, facilitating sessions andmonitoring and evaluatingprogramme participants’ needsand achievements.My Chagai experience had helpedhone my professional skills,attributes; and relevance to thecontext placed me in anadvantageous position for servingthis area from AKU-IED’splatform. The Institute sent me asthe District Coordinator in districtsChagai and Noshki of Balochistan.In this dynamic position, Icoordinated with districtadministration, educationmanagers, officials, teacherassociations and others forsuccessful implementation ofAKU-IED’s programmaticactivities. I looked after the areasof academics, administration andfinance. It is of vital importancethat the graduate students shouldbe supported in the field to helpthem effectively apply theknowledge they have gained atthe Institute.So, AKU-IED’s work goesbeyond its own classrooms andbeyond the programme duration.I have discovered it to be a lifelongcommitment.Revitalizing, Innovating,Strengthening Education (RISE)is a partnership of national andinternational bodies. This projectis facilitating the education sectorin the earthquake affected areas,i.e. Bagh, Muzaffarabad andRawlakot districts of Azad Jammuand Kashmir (AJ&K) andMansehra in the North WesternFrontier Province (NWFP) ofPakistan. Its target is to enhancecapacity of education managersfor effective and efficient decisionmaking, teacher education andensuring community mobilisationand participation in education.I work as Education ManagementSpecialist and I contribute towardsthe rebuilding process ofearthquake affected areas as weorganise and facilitate professionaldevelopment opportunities in eachtarget district.As I look back, I feel my careerwith AKU-IED has contributedimmensely to my personal andprofessional growth, whileallowing me the opportunity toserve at local and national levels.My approach towards teachingand my students has undergone asignificant change. It is also asource of great satisfaction to findmyself contributing to thedevelopment of remote anddisadvantaged areas where I haveworked.Zulfiqar Ali Shah, MEd ’9912