AKDN Ambassador hosts Bangladesh government visit to Academy

Mr. Munir Merali, AKDN Resident Diplomatic Representative to Bangladesh hosted a visit to Hyderabad this week. Five high ranking members of the Bangladesh Government were invited to Telangana for an experience of the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad. The Departments of Foreign Affairs; Income & Revenue; Finance; Primary and Mass Education; Housing and Public Works and Media Communications were represented as well as the Bank of Bangladesh and AKDN External Relations strategic volunteer. A key objective of this unique visit was to explore the social benefit and impact that an Academy can bring to its local, regional and national context in advance of the establishment of Aga Khan Academy Dhaka in Bangladesh.

The Bangladeshi delegation left Hyderabad with a better understanding of the unique nature of an Academy education; the benefit its outreach activities bring to the nations in which they are embedded and to understand His Highness the Aga Khan’s vision to change outcomes in the developing world through providing a world class education for ‘homegrown leaders of the future.’ Sister Academies have already been established in Mombasa, Kenya (2006); Maputo, Mozambique (2013) and Hyderabad, India (2011).

The 2-day exposure visit to the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad began on Tuesday afternoon, 17^th April with a personalized tour of the Qutb Shahi Tombs restoration project being undertaken by AKTC in partnership with Telangana Government Department of Tourism, phase 1 of which was opened by Shri Venkatesham IAS, Principal Secretary of Tourism this week. A powerful sensory experience of the Golconda Fort Sound and Light Show was followed by a traditional Hyderabadi dinner to introduce them to regional specialties for which Telangana has become known.

Early on Wednesday 18^th April, the Delegation were introduced to the intention, design and realization of the Academies’ global mission by Dr. Geoffrey Fisher, Head of Academy. A tour of the 100 acre campus and its world class infrastructure was followed by a series of engagements with students; management; faculty and the Academy senior leadership team. Insights on the exceptional educational components offered at all Aga Khan Academies provided ample opportunity for Delegation questions.  

Interactions with Senior School students from India, Bangladesh, Tajikistan and Afghanistan as well as those on full merit scholarships from underprivileged backgrounds opened the door to a robust conversation on the rigorous, externally developed, Academy Talent Identification Program (TIP). Intensive discussion emerged after a high level, academic encounter with the Academy’s leadership curriculum framework of ‘5 strands’ (ethics, pluralism, civil governance, economics for development and the role of culture) and the role this plays in ‘raising homegrown leaders’ for tomorrow.

In order to understand the impact of the Academy’s outreach contribution towards raising the quality of teaching and learning in Telangana, the program included meeting recent government teacher graduates and their master trainer. The Academy PDC (Professional Development Centre) offers an English language program for teachers in partnership with the Telangana Government Department of School Education. Visits to two local government schools followed to see ‘service in action’ initiatives.  Academy IB Middle Years students (grades 6-10) have achieved the fundraising and installation of an RO water purification plant in a primary school and are currently supporting English language and subject support for government senior school students. The delegation also witnessed first-hand the implications of a current digitization innovation supported by the Academy in partnership with Mahbubnagar District Collector, Mr. Ronald Rose IAS, at a nearby anganwadi centre.

A final debrief meeting took place at Falaknuma Palace on Wednesday late afternoon. Members of the Telangana State Government shared in the session to explore opportunities for mutual knowledge sharing and potential collaborations. Sri M Jagadeeshwar IAS, Secretary for Women Development and Child Welfare; Mr. Ramesh Akula, Special Officer for National Nutrition Mission; Mr. Satyanarayana Reddy (representative of Mr. Kishan IAS), Director Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Dr. Upendar Reddy, Directorate of School Education were in attendance.

Dr. Geoffrey Fisher closed the official part of the visit on behalf of the Academy by expressing his delight at hosting the Bangladeshi government delegation and AKDN Ambassador Merali. “Even though the number of students that pass through the Academies may be limited, and even though the number of teachers trained through our Professional Development Centre may be limited, I want you to leave with the knowledge that the potential of the Academies to bring about change is unlimited,” he said. “The countries in this region want to become powerful nations, and the Academies are a force for good that can help achieve that aspiration through raising homegrown, ethical and effective leaders committed to bringing about positive change in their respective societies.”

Mr. Munir Merali shared that the intention of this visit was to build a cadre of ‘champions and well-wishers’ within the Bangladesh government who would understand the scope, mandate and potential impact of the Aga Khan Academies global network, and who would then enlighten their fellow colleagues in the government. “We cannot explain what is unique about an Academy until you have experienced it. The new Academy in Dhaka will be one of the AKDN’s most significant projects in Bangladesh, and we are only responding to the support you have already offered by sharing the vision of our program through this trip.”

Bangladeshi delegates expressed their overwhelming gratitude for the warmth and learning they experienced during the trip, and discussed strategies for collaboration with their Indian counterparts before the gathering came to a close against a sunset backdrop on the grounds of the Falaknuma Palace.