Aao Parhao: Campus drive kicks off at IBA
The campaign, an initiative of Express Media Group, aims to inspire students to become part of the education solution
KARACHI:
‘Jo Seekha Hai Woh Sab Ko Sekhao — Aao Parhao’ turned out to be the students’ catchphrase at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) with the launch of the nationwide campus drive on Monday in connection with the Express Media Group’s campaign to raise the profile of the teaching profession.
Through the campus drive, the ‘Aao Parhao’ campaign aims to help students acknowledge their teachers and hold dialogues with young graduates on how they can become a part of Pakistan’s education solution.
As the event began with the heart-warming Aao Parhao anthem for which the renowned artist, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, has lent his vocals, the IBA students, many of them dressed in the campaign t-shirts, waved the flags decorated with campaign’s emblem.
“We thank the Express Media Group for this lovely initiative to acknowledge our mentors, our all-time guardians and our inspiration — the teachers at the IBA,” said Hammad Mirza, a business administration student.
Three of the IBA teachers, Professor Leon Menezes, director at the IBA’s Career Development Centre, Dr Framji Minwalla, chairperson of the social science and liberal arts department and Dr Talat A Wizarat, a professor at the social science department, were awarded mementos in acknowledgement of their services to the teaching profession.
For Professor Menezes, who continues to creatively infuse the minds of his students as a mentor, adviser and an amazing teacher, the more important aspect of education, which nowadays is restricted within the bounds of a classroom, is to revitalise the sense of a society and civic responsibilities. “Around 20 per cent of my class lectures are about inculcating these values in my students, and so is the purpose of this campaign — inspire others to act for the betterment of society,” he said.
For many students at the prestigious institution of business administration, Muhammad Abrar — a grade 10 student who also teaches chemistry to lower-grade students at The Citizens Foundation’s (TCF) Qayyumabad campus - was kind of an inspiration.
“Before joining the TCF’s school in grade 6, I had never been to a school in my life,” said Abrar. “I was lucky to find good teachers who really helped me to a degree that I am not only speaking in English today but also sharing what I have learnt with others.”
For millions of out-of-school children in Pakistan who never get a chance like he had, Abrar said that we can either wait for the government to do something or we can change the future of Pakistani children through our contribution.
“This is not a passive campaign, it is a call-to-action with a specific objective,” said Zara Basharat, the campaign director. “The Express Media Group aims to raise the profile of the teaching profession — increase its value and respect in society thereby motivating and inspiring highly-qualified young adults to enter the teaching force.”
The campaign, she added, is aimed at motivating highly qualified people to enter the teaching force, and to come together to celebrate the profession. “Through this call, we want to acknowledge their invaluable contributions and to request them to embrace their responsibility of nation building,” said Basharat.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 16th, 2014.
‘Jo Seekha Hai Woh Sab Ko Sekhao — Aao Parhao’ turned out to be the students’ catchphrase at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) with the launch of the nationwide campus drive on Monday in connection with the Express Media Group’s campaign to raise the profile of the teaching profession.
Through the campus drive, the ‘Aao Parhao’ campaign aims to help students acknowledge their teachers and hold dialogues with young graduates on how they can become a part of Pakistan’s education solution.
As the event began with the heart-warming Aao Parhao anthem for which the renowned artist, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, has lent his vocals, the IBA students, many of them dressed in the campaign t-shirts, waved the flags decorated with campaign’s emblem.
“We thank the Express Media Group for this lovely initiative to acknowledge our mentors, our all-time guardians and our inspiration — the teachers at the IBA,” said Hammad Mirza, a business administration student.
Three of the IBA teachers, Professor Leon Menezes, director at the IBA’s Career Development Centre, Dr Framji Minwalla, chairperson of the social science and liberal arts department and Dr Talat A Wizarat, a professor at the social science department, were awarded mementos in acknowledgement of their services to the teaching profession.
For Professor Menezes, who continues to creatively infuse the minds of his students as a mentor, adviser and an amazing teacher, the more important aspect of education, which nowadays is restricted within the bounds of a classroom, is to revitalise the sense of a society and civic responsibilities. “Around 20 per cent of my class lectures are about inculcating these values in my students, and so is the purpose of this campaign — inspire others to act for the betterment of society,” he said.
For many students at the prestigious institution of business administration, Muhammad Abrar — a grade 10 student who also teaches chemistry to lower-grade students at The Citizens Foundation’s (TCF) Qayyumabad campus - was kind of an inspiration.
“Before joining the TCF’s school in grade 6, I had never been to a school in my life,” said Abrar. “I was lucky to find good teachers who really helped me to a degree that I am not only speaking in English today but also sharing what I have learnt with others.”
For millions of out-of-school children in Pakistan who never get a chance like he had, Abrar said that we can either wait for the government to do something or we can change the future of Pakistani children through our contribution.
“This is not a passive campaign, it is a call-to-action with a specific objective,” said Zara Basharat, the campaign director. “The Express Media Group aims to raise the profile of the teaching profession — increase its value and respect in society thereby motivating and inspiring highly-qualified young adults to enter the teaching force.”
The campaign, she added, is aimed at motivating highly qualified people to enter the teaching force, and to come together to celebrate the profession. “Through this call, we want to acknowledge their invaluable contributions and to request them to embrace their responsibility of nation building,” said Basharat.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 16th, 2014.