London, (Shahzad Ali) __ The Pakistan High Commission in London, in partnership with Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA), convened the Learning Fiesta – Parhay Pakistan, a pivotal event celebrating ITA’s enduring commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable educational practices in Pakistan.

In his address, Deputy High Commissioner Mr. Haseeb bin Aziz lauded ITA’s transformative impact on the educational landscape and detailed the Pakistani government’s initiatives aimed at enhancing educational quality nationwide.

The event commenced with opening remarks from Naila Mir, Chair of ITA UK & CEO of P3 Connect UK, and Baela Raza Jamil, CEO of ITA Pakistan. A specially prepared message from Kazim Saeed, Chair of ITA Pakistan, was also presented. The gathering included a noteworthy address by Ms. Charlotte Duncan, Deputy Head of the Girls’ Education Department at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), emphasizing the UK’s ongoing commitment to advancing girls’ education and inclusive learning frameworks in Pakistan.

A hallmark of the event was the introduction of the Dr. Arif Naveed Education Prize at the University of Cambridge, announced by Professor Kamal A. Munir, Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor. This award honors the late Dr. Arif Naveed, an eminent Pakistani social scientist recognized for his extensive contributions to social justice and educational reform. The prize aims to support academic pursuits focused on equity in education, reflecting Dr. Naveed’s enduring legacy.

Dr. Caroline Harper CBE, CEO of Sightsavers, delivered a compelling keynote titled “Education for All: Progress and Perils on Our Quest to Leave No Child Behind.” Her discourse focused on the imperative for inclusive educational systems that address the needs of children with visual impairments and disabilities, alongside insights from global initiatives aimed at universal access to quality education.

The Learning Fiesta featured an extensive program of interactive sessions, commencing with a poignant poetry reading by Hussain Manawer, a British-Pakistani author and poet. This was succeeded by Spotlight and Thematic Sessions emphasizing various educational methodologies, including Read Aloud storytelling, Maker Arts, STEM education, Artificial Intelligence, EdTech, inclusive practices in early childhood education, and research on social equity conducted by notable organizations such as Real Center, BrainSpark Games, Augimono, and ScienFuse. These sessions showcased collaborative innovations from educational entities in both Pakistan and the UK.

Engagement at the event was energized by dynamic activities and impactful narratives from alumni who articulated the transformative outcomes of ITA’s initiatives on their lives and their communities. Dr. Alison Buxton, Director of Maker{Futures}, and Ms. Saman Qarni conducted a session on digital storytelling, leveraging technologies like stop-motion animation and coding platforms to enhance literacy skills.

Additional highlights included live illustrations by Dr. Julia Hayes, and an art display and charity sale featuring works from renowned Pakistani artist Fauzia Minallah Khan (Advisor, Pakistan Learning Festival), in collaboration with Shahida Ahmed (Trustee, ITA UK). These artistic endeavors underscored the essential interplay of education, culture, and community engagement, reinforcing the festival’s ethos of inclusivity and innovation.

The Learning Fiesta – Parhay Pakistan not only celebrated ITA’s 25-year legacy but also established a renewed mandate for educational transformation in Pakistan. It served as a nexus for academic, developmental, and artistic leaders, facilitating dialogue, networking, and collective commitment. Amid Pakistan’s educational challenges, such international partnerships are crucial to ensuring that no child is left without access to quality education.