Teachers’ conference: On the last day, emphasis on following your dreams to the end

Shehzad Roy shares his story of success, posited youth should not be easily disheartened and give up on their dreams.

ISLAMABAD: The best was saved for the last as the concluding day of the sixth annual teacher’s conference featured a speech from Shehzad Roy.

Roy, a pop singer and founder of Zindagi Trust, was announced as a speaker to much of the participating members’ amazement and delight. He walked to the podium amid roaring applause and delivered a speech on the power of each person in Pakistan.

He shared his personal story of success and posited that no success story is without struggle and that youth should not be easily disheartened and give up on their dreams. Roy was invited to speak because Zindagi Trust helps begging children by paying for them to attend school instead.

Unesco Islamabad Director Dr Kozeu Kay Nagata, the chief guest, emphasised the necessity of empowerment of teachers and inculcation of qualities of honesty, integrity and credibility in the students through the teachers.

Asma Mustafa, learning and globalisation specialist, gave an energetic speech on how teachers can try to get out of their comfort zone for the benefit and interest of their students, by not only using interactive tools but keeping up to date with what piques their students’ interest.

Conference trainer Abbas Husain gave a lecture about student voice and leadership in the transformation of the modern-day schools. He posited the importance of listening to students’ opinions to empower them and thus foster leadership qualities in them.

South Asian Strategic Stability Institute Director General Dr Maria Sultan stressed on the need for impeccable pedagogy that is directed to catering the need of today’s competitive market. She investigated the case of collaborating for opportunities in a networked world and the impact of globalisation on schools, student, classrooms and role of teachers.

Chaudhry Faisal Mushtaq, Executive Director Roots National Institute of Teacher Training and Education, moderated the speeches delivered by the speakers and discussed the importance of connecting students to the kind of opportunities that will fundamentally shift their academic experience and will be most beneficial for them in their personal lives as well as their professional careers.

At the end, Dr Nagata presented certificates to the participating teachers, organizers and management team.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 12^th, 2012.