KARACHI, Aug 17: Sindh Chief Secretary Dr Mutawakil Kazi stressed the need for eradicating duality in the education system that ultimately resulted in inequality, poverty and limitation of opportunities.

He was addressing the inaugural session of a two-day international seminar organized by the Centre of English Language (CEL) of Aga Khan University on Sunday. The theme of the seminar was “English and Higher Education: Future Directions”.

Dr Kazi pointed out that rapid spread of English language as a means for global communication was becoming a necessity for all, and the government fully realized this challenge.

He expressed government’s commitment to modernizing the educational setup, taking AKU as a model in this regard. He described the seminar the beginning of an association between the AKU and the provincial government.

Earlier, in his welcome address, AKU President Shamsh Kassim Lakha underlined the importance of English language in higher education. He complimented the faculty and staff of CEL for establishing credibility of AKU in the field of English language teaching. He said that the Worldaware Business Award 2002 given to CEL was a matter of considerable pride for AKU.

Mr Kassim also underscored the need for reforms in higher education system and said that English language teachers play an important role in this regard.

In her keynote address, Dr Hilary Nesi from the University of Warwick, UK, highlighted the ways in which the introduction of information technology altered the study habits and learning needs of students.

She said that there was a need for developing critical and analytical skills among students for effective use of information technology for study purposes.

Director British Council Charles Walker shed light on the long history of collaboration between AKU and CEL, calling the centre its invaluable partner.

Acting Provost of AKU Dr David Taylor called the seminar an effort to share expertise and opinions with colleagues worldwide.

The head of CEL, Dr Sabiha Mansoor, reiterated the centre’s commitment to play a role in the development of ELT not only in Pakistan but also in the region. In this regard, she announced the launching of the CEL’s first postgraduate programme — Advanced Diploma Programme in TEFL, being developed through higher education links with the Warwick University, UK.

Prominent ELT experts and educationists from Pakistan, UK, UAE, Jordan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia were also present on the occasion.—APP