15/08/2023
Rangoonwala Foundation and UK-Pakistan Science & Innovation Global Network announce a 3-year Training Partnership for Capacity Building of Teaching Faculty & Lecturers in Pakistani Higher Education.
The Rangoonwala Foundation and UPSIGN Network are delighted to announce their new partnership to deliver sustainable STEM Education training for undergraduate teaching staff in universities and affiliated colleges in certain parts of Pakistan. Over a three-year period, the UPSIGN training program (developed with expert volunteers from leading UK and Pakistani universities), will facilitate the upskilling of faculty and teaching staff with advanced knowledge & skills. This training will also help the faculty to teach STEM subjects more inclusively, i.e., ensure better participation of girls. The UPSIGN trainers will utilize innovative teaching methods that will help the faculty to better express their passion and knowledge to inspire the next generation of male and female scientists, engineers, and innovators.
The Rangoonwala Foundation firmly believes in the transformative power of education and believes in empowering communities. Meheen Rangoonwala (Director of Rangoonwala Foundation) said "We were impressed by the well thought out expert program and vision for the training that Madiha Sajid and the expert academic volunteers of UPSIGN have devised in consultation with leading Pakistani educationalists and universities, and we look forward to supporting their work across Pakistan."
Madiha Sajid (Education Lead of UPSIGN) mentioned that "We are delighted to collaborate with Rangoonwala Foundation to roll out this important area of training and development. Through a series of interactive workshops, and hands-on exercises, we will provide a stimulating learning environment for STEM educationists, that will foster critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and creativity".
UPSIGN is currently in dialogue with Pakistani educational partners and stakeholders; and will announce a formal application process for potential academic institutions whose staff could benefit from the training program.
Information for press and editors:
1. The Rangoonwala Foundation is a charitable endowment of its founder the late philanthropist, social worker, patron, and industrialist Mohamed Aly Rangoonwala. He was a prominent and influential business personality in South Asia and Europe, and he firmly believed in free trade, fair competition, and the responsibility of wealthy individuals to alleviate poverty. The Foundation’s mission is to enable the empowerment of communities by engaging in social development initiatives directed at long-term sustainability and self-reliance. The Foundation works regardless of race, color, creed, and religion and aims to eradicate poverty amongst marginalized urban and rural communities. As well as supporting primary, secondary, and higher education, a key strength of the Foundation lies in the establishment and support of Community Resource Centres for technical and vocational training.
2. The UPSIGN UK-Pakistan Science & Innovation Global Network was set up in 2017 and consists of a group of over 250 academic professionals globally who are dedicated to raising awareness and developing research & education solutions to tackle various social and economic challenges that are faced by people of Pakistan. UPSIGN leads research on grand challenges that cover education, gender, affordable health solutions, sustainable agri-food production, clean energy, water, and climate change through organizing collaboration events in the UK and Pakistan through engaging UK & Pakistani academic volunteers. www.upisgn.org.uk
3. The original STEM teacher training program pilot was developed in an initial training program in August 2022 by Madiha Sajid, Prof Jawwad Darr, Prof Adeela Shafi, Prof Sajid Saleem and Dr Noshaba Anbreen and Prof Hazir Ullah (supported by the British Council). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9DDnhic-wQ&t=232s
4. If you are a university based in Pakistan, and would like to get involved, contact Madiha Sajid of UPSIGN: email [email protected].
A formal application process will be announced in due course.
Jawwad Arshad Darr
Madiha Sajid
