The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) School of Education (SOE) successfully concluded its First Annual Education Festival 2017 on March 1, 2017. The three-day event, which began on February 27, aimed to draw attention to the challenges faced by Pakistan’s education sector, whilst highlighting the sector’s important role for national success.
The Education Festival was divided into three separate themes for each day: Partnership and Engagement Programme (PEP Talks) on day one; Speed Networking on day two; and Documentary Screening on the third day. The overarching purpose was to facilitate a vibrant student interface with experts who have substantive experience within the education sector. Activities were designed to help LUMS students reflect upon the structural, cultural, and intellectual challenges to education reform in Pakistan. The event also aimed at helping LUMS students source career prospects in the multifaceted education sector.
The first day of the event showcased the PEP Talks, which provided opportunities for effective recruitment, residency, and placement of LUMS students in career roles within the education sector. Imran Sarwar, Educator and Founder at Rabtt; Master Ayub Khan, Educator and Philanthropist at Master Ayub Park School; Ben French, Portfolio Manager at Oxford Policy Management and Baela Raza Jamil, Educator and Policy Advisor at Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aghai spoke about their experiences within the education sector, the challenges they have faced along their respective journeys, and the impact their work has had.
‘Speed Networking’ was highlighted on the second day of the event. Education experts were invited as ‘mentors’ to engage with undergraduates, allowing students to gain exposure to the various challenges, perspectives, and opportunities within the education sector. Abbas Rashid, Executive Director Society for the Advancement of Education, Adeel Hashmi Actor/Writer/Director and Secretary at Faiz Foundation Trust, and Afia Mansoor, Consultant with Schuitema Pakistan, were amongst the many mentors who interacted with the student body.
The third day saw a screening of the documentary, ‘Waiting for Superman’ followed by an interactive discussion amongst attendees, moderated by Dr. Mariam Chughtai, Associate Director of SOE, to discuss the film in context to Pakistan.
Commenting on the successful conclusion of the Education Festival, Dr. Chughtai said, “LUMS always explores new ways to ensure quality education of an international calibre for the betterment of students and society as a whole. We believe that a premium education is the key to national growth and success. Education is the most powerful tool for changing the world. We are confident that the LUMS Education Festival will prove to be one major step towards positive change.”
The event was attended by LUMS faculty, staff, and students, as well as educationists from various other institutions.
