First National Education Conference on
Whither Policy Reform in Education: Lessons and Challenges
2nd – 3rd March 2008
CIRDAP Auditorium, Topkhana Road, Dhaka.

SUNDAY, 2nd March 2008

9.30    Registration

9:55    Address of Welcome
            Mr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Chairperson, Unnayan Onneshan.

Paper Presentation

Session-1: Philosophy of Education and Knowledge Generation
(10.00 am to 12.20 pm)

Chair-Nurul Kabir, Editor, The Daily New Age.

10.00   Philosophy of education.
             Muzaffer Ahmad, Former Professor, Dhaka University.

10.20   Shikkhar Rajniti O Songskriti: Kichu Prostabana.
              Arup Rahee- Researcher.

10.40   An Economic Perspective on Knowledge and Education.
              Dr. Sajjad Zohir, Economic Research Group.

11.00    Education from Ecological Perspective: An experience of Naya Krishi
              Andolan.
              Farida Akhter, UBINIG.

11.20     Discussion

Session-2 :Indigenous Knowledge and Medium of Education
(12.20am to 1.30 pm)

Chair- Piash Karim, BRAC University.

12.20    On Media of Instruction in Bangladesh: A note on the question of a national
              system of instruction
              Professor Salimullah Khan,  Stamford University.

12.40   “Amar Boi”: Kar Boi? Kar Shikkha Odhikar?
              Pavel Partha,  BARCIK.

1.00      Discussion

1.30      Lunch

Session-3: Globalisation, Colonialism and Neoliberalism
(2.30 am to 5.00 pm)

Chair- Farhad Mozhar, UBINIG.             

2.30-   The Hidden Pedagogy.
             Manos Chowdhury, Jahangirnagar University.

2.50     Lekhapara Karao Bipod Nakarao Bipod: Sikhkha, Jatigato Adhipatta O
             Rupantaron.
            Sayeed Ferdous, Jahangirnagar University & Shaswati Dewan, Researcher.

3.10    “Shikkhai Alo”: Sikkhar Adarshikikaron O Odhipatir Niantron.
          Nasrin Khandoker, Jahangirnagar University & Md. Nabil Juberi, Researcher

3.30      de or re colonizing? : Contextualizing English Education in Bangladesh.
               Masrur Shahid Hossain, Jahangirnagar University.

3.50     Discussion

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MONDAY, 3rd March 2008

9.30     Registration

Paper Presentation

Session-1: University Education
(10.00 am to 12.00 am)

Chair-Anu Muhammad, Jahangirnagar University.

10.00   Autonomy of University and 20 years ‘Strategic Plan’.
             Shahidul Islam, Former Professor, Rajshahi University.

10. 20   Higher Education in Bangladesh: Diversity, Quality and Accessibility.
              Rabiul Islam, Department of Social Work, Rajshahi University.

10.40   The impact of the ‘Brain Drain’ on education and development:
              A comparative study between skilled and semi/unskilled emigrants.
              Gazi Mahabubul Alam, University of Nottingham and Sarwar Basher,
              Unnayan Onneshan.  

11.00    Students’ involvement in ‘party politics’ in Bangladesh: the impact on HE
              and national development.
              Mirja Mohammad Shahjamal, BRAC and Gazi Mahabubul Alam
              ,University of Nottingham.

11.20     Discussion

Session-2: Primary and Secondary Education

(12.00 am to 3.30 pm)

Chair- Ajoy Roy, Dhaka University.

12.00     Primary Education Development in Bangladesh; sub-sector wide approach
                driven by donors and the agenda of increased ownership; analogous or
                paradoxical?
                Maliha Shahjahan, APIT.

12.15     Mothers’ involvement at school level in rural areas for quality
               education of extremely poor children.
               ShamimaTasmin, Education Adviser, CONCERN.

12.30     Madrasah Education
               Kawser-Bin Khaled

12.45     Education in PRSP and Neo Liberal Economics: The Policy of Everything is
               for Nothing.
               Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, COAST Trust.

1.00       Education Reforms and Educational Research in Bangladesh.
               Professor Hosnneara Feroja, NAEM.

1.15        Planning for an Effective Teaching Force.
                K. M. Enamul Hoque, CAMPE.

1.30       Discussion

2.00       Lunch

Session-3: Inclusive Education

(3.00 pm 5.00 pm)

Chair- Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Chairperson, Unnayan Onneshan.

3.00   Gender Equality in Education: Towards an Understanding for a Paradigmatic

            Shift.

             Jakir Hossain, Unnayan Onneshan.

3.15     Gender Dimension in Secondary Education.

             Masuda Khatun Shefali, Nari Uddug Kendra.

3.30     Education and Language Needs of the Adivasi Children
             Mesbah Kamal, Dhaka University

3.45     Bangladesher Adivasi: Shikkha O Banchana.
             Sonjib Drong, Bangladesh Adivasi Forum.

4.00     Inclusive Education in Bangldesh.
             Ali Manash, Unnayan Onneshan.

4.15     Improve Teacher Education: Key Components required for teachers to
             improve inclusive education for the children with disabilities.
             Nusrat Zerin, Centre for Disability in Development.