Category: Education

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

The Citizens Foundation (TCF), in collaboration with the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF), hosted an event, “Greatness of Spirit in Karachi: Book Launch & Magsaysay Laureate Reunion,” on April 25, 2024. This event commemorated the 65th anniversary of the Ramon Magsaysay Award and marked the launch of the seven-volume book series titled “GREATNESS OF SPIRIT: Stories of Love, Courage, and Service,” showcasing the inspiring lives of all 348 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees.

The Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia’s premier prize and highest honour, recognises the greatness of spirit shown in selfless service to the people of Asia—regardless of race, gender, or religion. There have been 12 laureates of the Award in Pakistan until now, which are Henry Holland and Ronald Holland, Akhter Hameed Khan, Abdul Sattar Edhi and Bilqis Bano Edhi, Shoaib Sultan Khan, Asma Jahangir, Syed Adibul Hasan Rizvi, Tasneem Ahmed Siddiqui, Ruth Pfau, Ibn Abdur Rehman, The Citizens Foundation (TCF) and Muhammad Amjad Saqib.

TCF, a recipient of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2014, was honoured to host this event a decade later in Karachi, Pakistan. 

The occasion was graced by the presence of the Honourable Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, esteemed past awardees, distinguished representatives from RMAF, local educators, diplomats, and other notable figures, especially H.E. Maria Agnes M. Cervantes, Ambassador of the Philippines to Pakistan, and Ms. Sarah Mooney, British Deputy High Commissioner Karachi.

Commenting on the occasion, the Honourable Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, expressed his admiration for the remarkable achievements of TCF and the Ramon Magsaysay Awardees, highlighting their significant contributions to society. 

He remarked, “I am grateful to The Citizens Foundation, who invited me here today to this event of ‘Greatness of Spirit; I am very humbled to be a part of this book launch of stories of love, courage and service. 

We have been fortunate to work closely with so many organisations and people present here. We have built 500 schools in collaboration with TCF as well. So, I can say this on my behalf and that of the government of Sindh: resources will not be a problem if you ever need any assistance. The problem is finding people working for the right cause; this room is full of them. So, we look towards you for helping to help grow the people of this province and this country.” 

In her opening remarks, the Chairperson of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, Ms. Cecilia Lazaro, hailed the Ramon Magsaysay Awardees from Pakistan as true heroes, acknowledging their unwavering dedication to fighting injustice and serving humanity with hope and optimism.

Mr Ahsan Saleem, Chairman of TCF, remarked, “The Ramon Award is a prestigious honour celebrating integrity, leadership, and service to the community. I’m humbled and grateful as TCF hosts this book launch in Karachi as part of the global unveiling of “Greatness of Spirit.”

President of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, Ms. Susanna B. Afan, emphasised the collective spirit of the awardees, stating, “In Pakistan, 12 men and women and one organisation have demonstrated through their lives and their works the values that the Award espouses. Collectively, we call these values GREATNESS OF SPIRIT. Their GREATNESS OF SPIRIT is evident through their resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder in addressing problems of human development – to forge partnerships, foster collaboration, and amplify their impact on a scale previously unimaginable.”

The event served as an invaluable platform to strengthen bonds between Pakistan and the Philippines, promoting fraternity and collaboration between the two nations.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

Mohammad Wasay, Professor of Neurology at the Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University has been honoured with the Advocate of the Year Award by the American Academy of Neurology for Global Patient and Neurology Advocacy in Colorado.

Prof Wasay is a consultant neurologist with expertise in general neurology and stroke. He has also served as the President of the Pakistan Society of Neurology and was recently elected as a trustee of the World Federation of Neurology and as a fellow of the World Academy of Science. With interests spanning across neural sciences and neural imaging, he has spearheaded multiple task forces and advisory committees in the public and private sector. 

“I am grateful for the extensive opportunities and support provided by AKU for furthering my research and advocacy work alongside my colleagues and students,” said Prof Wasay while commenting on the accomplishment.

His latest accolade recognizes his role as a leader and an advocate in patient wellbeing in the field of neural sciences, following in the footsteps of the late Kenneth M. Viste, Jr., MD, after whom the award is named.

“We are proud to have Prof Wasay as a revered member of our neurology faculty,” said Dr Adil Haider, Dean Medical College, AKU. “We are grateful for his incredible contributions and are privileged to support his impactful academic endeavours.”

Prior to this award, Prof Wasay received the American Academy of Neurology’s Teachers Recognition Award and Advocacy Leader of the Year Award, the Pakistan Society of Neurology’s Distinguished Teacher Award, as well as the Pakistan Academy of Medical Sciences’ Junior Award and Gold Medal.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

Unity Foods has signed a MoU with IBA, marking the beginning of an inspiring journey: Unity Foods Scholars program. The signing ceremony was held at Unity Foods head office in Karachi. This visionary initiative is set to transform lives by offering support to a deserving MBA student each year from an underprivileged background and enabling them through their educational journey. In line with UFL’s unwavering commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education, this program embodies the spirit of empowerment and opportunity. Through this collaborative effort with IBA, UFL has taken yet another step towards empowering the youth, enabling them to realize their full potential through the power of higher education.

IBA Karachi highly appreciates Unity Foods Limited for their generosity and this partnership. At the ceremony, Malahat Awan, Director of Alumni Affairs, Resource Mobilization & Corporate Affairs, represented IBA Karachi. Unity Foods was represented by Nageen Rizvi, Head of Corporate Communications & Sustainability, along with Salman Yousuf, Chief Marketing Officer, and Uzma Zaidi, Chief Human Resource Officer. During this event, avenues of collaboration between the two organizations were explored. Discussions flourished around various initiatives, including staff and leadership training, student internships, and on-campus activation activities. These endeavors are poised to forge a powerful synergy, uniting Unity Foods and IBA Karachi in a shared mission of excellence and progress. 

Lahore (Qasim Ali)

Archaeological excavation at the site of Ganweriwala Cholistan (5000 years old Indus Valley Civilization – in the midst of the Cholistan desert on the river Hakra) is going on briskly from last one weekw with active participationof young and professionals alike. At the historical site, the excavations work commenced on 1st march by commissioner Bahawalpur division Dr. Ehtasham Anwar and DG archaeology Punjab Shozeb Saeed and THAAP is honored to be the implementing partner of excavation work at historic project of Ganweriwala Dig. Led by Chief archaeologist Dr. Mohammad Rafique Mughal (Professor Emeritus of Archaeology Boston University) the excavation work has turned into unique learning and capacity building opportunity for the archaeology students. Young & bright students from Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Balochistan University and Punjab University are physically present at the Ganweriwala site and taking deep interest in the excavation work. After passing the whole day at the Ganweriwala site they reside in the base camp established near the site in the desert. Dr. Rafique Mughal expressed his satisfaction over the pace of excavation work. While sharing the details of ongoing work Dr. Rafique Mughal said it is amzing to see the student’s active participation in the work as Ganweriwala project includes intensive training in the field of archaeology for selected university students both male and female as part of its efforts to build capacity for the future archaeology mission. With this mission statement the students are busy and practically engaged in excavation work. The excavation team comprises on relevant professional experts including Dr. Rafique Mughal as Chief Archeologist, Saleem ul Haq (Deputy Team Leader) Muhammad Afzal Khan Sr Archaeologist, Muzzafar Ahmed, Hassan Khokar archaeologist representative from Department of Archeology Punjab and support staff includes Chemist, Draftsman, Lab Assistant, Pollery Recorder, Surveyor, Data entry operator, photographer and documentary maker too. The Key experts Prof. Sajida Haider Vandal, Prof. Pervaiz Vandal, Dr. Nasarullah Nasir Khan (Advisor ICH) are closely monitoring the excavation work. The mound of Ganweriwala in Cholistan contains one of the largest cities of the Harappan or Indus Civilization which reached its climax about 2600 BCE. It was discovered in the mid-1970s during an extensive survey and schematic mapping of ancient sites carried out by Dr. Rafique Mughal and his team from the erstwhile Federal Department of Archaeology. More than four hundred sites representing the origins, rise, climax, and decline of the Indus / Harappan Civilization were recorded situated all along the (now) dry bed and channels of the Hakra River in Cholistan. The size of settlements during the period of the Harappan Civilization and early cultures (3400 to 1900 BCE shows progressive increase until climax and then decline during the last phase of the Late Harappan period. In the Hakra – Kot Diji or Early Harappan period, the average size of the largest settlement was 27 hecters. The climax of the Harappan Civilization as represented at Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, the largest site in Cholistan called Ganweriwala spreads , this site showed a sharp decline most probably coinciding with the decline in the water and food resources, inducing partial migration of population to the desert and opting for nomadic life. After being neglected for more than 50 years the excavation work to reveal the hidden wonder at ganweriwala is being initiated last week and will continue for upcoming several weeks. According to the team the excavation work required 3, 4 more sessions to collect the real amazing facts about the lost city of the Indus valley civilization.

Karachi (Nut Desk)

The Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) successfully concluded its weeklong celebration of the International Day of Mathematics (IDM) 2024 with a Grand Showcase inspired by this year’s theme: “Playing with Math,” on March 8, 2024. The IDM is a global celebration aimed at promoting the joy of learning mathematics. AKU-IED organized a series of events throughout the week, including workshops and activities for educators and students alike. In her opening remarks, Dr Munira Amirali, Assistant Professor and IDM Event Chair at AKU-IED, emphasized that “Play-based learning facilitates children’s cognitive development, promotes logical reasoning, and helps them link different mathematical concepts, reframing mathematics as an interesting subject in their minds.” The Grand Showcase featured creative math games designed for over 150 out-of-school children, mostly girls, who participated in educational activities to spark their interest in mathematics. Ms. Shireen Hussain, CEO and Co-Founder of Sindh Singhaar Initiative, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, underscoring the importance of learning mathematics in our daily lives. The showcase was the culmination of a weeklong series of activities, including a workshop for 35 teachers, predominantly female, who were trained to create engaging math games. Special sessions by The Dawood Foundation’s Magnifiscience Centre and a talk on numeracy skills of out-of-school children and Non-Formal Basic Education (NFBE) curriculum by Dr Abid Gill, Deputy Chief Advisor of the Advancing Quality Alternative Learning (AQAL) Project, Japan International Cooperation Agency, were also part of the programme. As the event also marked International Women’s Day, it showcased engaging math games created by female educators from across Karachi, supervised by an all-woman workshop planning team from AKU-IED. “The dedication of AKU-IED and its partners in promoting the joy of learning mathematics is commendable. By working together to create engaging educational experiences, we are nurturing a generation of students who will excel in mathematics,” said AKU President Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin. The event was organized in partnership with Right to Play, Directorate of Non-formal Education, Sindh Singhaar Initiative, The Dawood Foundation’s Magnifiscience Centre, Durbeen, and others. In his concluding remarks, Dr Farid Panjwani, Professor and Dean of AKU-IED, reflected that “This celebration underscores our commitment to innovative and effective teaching practices. By engaging educators and students in playful math activities, we aim to cultivate a love for mathematics and inspire lifelong learning.”

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

Behbud Secondary School held a ceremony to thank Dawood Global Foundation for its Educate a Girl by LADIESFUND 106 zakat full tuition and books scholarships for all zakat-qualifying girls at its Clifton campus.

President Tara Uzra Dawood and the team of Educate a Girl spent the morning with the dynamic girls who ranged in age from Kindergarten through final year. Educate a Girl has educated 10,000 girls across Pakistan and Nigeria and through its zakat division is currently fundraising for full tuition and books at girls schools, vocational training for burn victims, and university scholarships.

In addition to the tuition and books, the programme has grooming and other capacity building trainings, meetings with diplomatic missions, as well as has historically offered some girls internships both at the foundation as well as at partner companies.

Chief Guest Syed Aamir Sajjid gave a riveting speech on the possibilities available for these girls in life.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

Aga Khan University has received a $1.5 million grant from Wellcome Leap, a leading global health innovation organization. This significant grant will support a project that seeks to transform the treatment of β-Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), which have plagued South Asia, particularly Pakistan. These diseases have not only caused significant suffering but also imposed a heavy economic burden on society. This competitive grant provides a significant boost to the development of innovative gene therapies.

Both β-Thalassemia and SCD are hereditary conditions, arising from genetic anomalies affecting the production of hemoglobin, a vital protein responsible for transporting oxygen in our bloodstream. In Pakistan, where many marriages occur within families (such as cousins), more than 70% of marriages involve relatives. This increases the chances of inheriting these genetic errors. In Pakistan, more than 7% of the population carries the β-Thalassemia gene, while the prevalence of SCD is estimated to be 2%. Due to these high carrier rates, Pakistan has a large population of over 100,000 registered Thalassemia patients with approximately 9,000 children born with the severe form known as Thalassemia Major. Treatment of these patients is significantly costly, requiring frequent blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy. Sadly, the current treatment options are challenging to sustain, with less than one percent of patients surviving beyond the age of 20.

Thalassemia varies worldwide, with over 300 different mutations in various regions, including Pakistan. Due to this diversity and the increasing focus on personalized treatments or therapies developed in one country may not effectively address the unique challenges faced by patients in another. Thus, localized research is crucial to comprehend region-specific mutations and develop tailored solutions.

Dr Afsar Mian, Assistant Professor at Aga Khan University, and the principal investigator of the project, explains the limitations of the only known curative therapy, allogenic hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation, which is dependent on donor compatibility, expensive and can result in treatment failure. Dr Mian states, “This limits access to treatment and highlights the need for alternative therapies.”

In recent years, the introduction of transplantation of genetically modified stem cells offers hope for treating β-Thalassemia and SCD. Recent advancements in gene editing technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9, offer hope to correct genetic mutations. This involves editing stem cells taken from patients using CRISPR-Cas9 before transplanting into the same patient. The research team at AKU aims to explore two advanced gene editing techniques: base editing and prime editing. These techniques have gained popularity due to their precision, specificity, and minimal unintended side effects compared to CRISPR-Cas9 technology.

“CRISPR is a remarkable technology that allows scientists to make changes in our DNA. However, prime editing takes gene editing to the next level,” says Dr Mian. “It offers even more precision and versatility in fixing genetic errors, reduces the chances of unintended effects, and increases the effectiveness of the editing process.”

The initial testing phase of this new gene editing therapy will take place in the laboratory, where stem cells with the remarkable ability to develop into any cell type will be collected from Thalassemia and SCD patients. If laboratory tests prove successful, the next step will involve pre-clinical trials on animals. These trials will aim to assess the safety of the proposed treatments before they can be tested on patients. This careful progression from laboratory testing to pre-clinical trials ensures that the potential therapies are thoroughly examined and meet the necessary safety standards before further advancement.

The study team at AKU includes Dr Afsar Mian, Dr Salman Kirmani, Dr Ambreen Fatima, Dr Fawad Ur Rehman, and Dr Irfan Hussain.

This groundbreaking approach offers newfound hope and relief to a significant number of Thalassemia patients, paving the way for targeted and efficient solutions customized to the distinct genetic profiles of affected individuals.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) The International Baccalaureate (IB), in collaboration with the Association of IB World Schools in Pakistan (IBPAK), hosted the IB Day Pakistan, an event that marked a significant leap towards advancing high-quality global education in the region.

IB’s regional gathering on 24 February 2024 at Avari Hotel, Lahore, introduced Dr Shehzad Jeeva who joined the IB as the Chief Education Officer this January. He delivered an inspiring vision for the future of education to IB schools, educators, government officials, universities and education enthusiasts, emphasizing the pivotal role IB programmes play in shaping global citizens equipped to navigate the complexities of today’s world.

“Today, we stand at the cusp of a new era in education in Pakistan, where the IB’s mission aligns seamlessly with our national educational goals, fostering learners who are knowledgeable, principled, and open-minded,” said Dr Jeeva.

Mr Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry, Secretary Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, highlighted the government’s support for IB programmes, underscoring their importance in elevating the standard of education in Pakistan. “Our collaboration with the IB is a testament to our commitment to providing world-class education to our youth, preparing them for global challenges,” Chaudhry remarked.

The event serves as a platform for IB World Schools and non-IB schools to discuss the transformative impact of IB education on the academic landscape in Pakistan, as well as exchange innovative ideas, networking, and contribute to an impactful and advancing globally minded learning community. With comprehensive sessions and engaging discussions, IB Day Pakistan set a precedent for the future of education in the country.

Since the first IB World School in 1996, the IB has grown its presence in the Pakistan education ecosystem over the years, going from seven IB programmes in 2015 to reaching more than 55 IB programmes offered across 32 IB World Schools in 2024. The IB Day Pakistan event played a pivotal role in generating more awareness and accessibility to the IB’s holistic educational framework. The IB aims to offer the best possible international education for students of all backgrounds and from every part of the world.