KARACHI, Jan 27: Sindh Additional Education Secretary Deedar Murtaza has asked the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to increase the number of fellowships for the advanced diploma by the Aga Khan University Centre of English Language (AKUCEL) in Teaching English as Foreign Language.

He was speaking at the first diploma award ceremony of Advanced Diploma Programme in TEFL at AKUCEL, here on Friday.

Appreciating the quality of training at the AKUCEL, Mr Murtaza said that looking at the dire need for training in the public sector, the number of these fellowships should be increased.

He also lamented the poor standard of English language in Pakistan which had made access to the higher education a wistful dream for many.

Mr Murtaza stressed the need to train English language teachers, especially for the public sector under the latest ELT approaches and methodologies to ensure quality teaching.

The Advanced Diploma Programme in TEFL is offered at the AKUCEL through higher education links with the University of Warwick, UK and with the support of the British Council.

The HEC has also supported the programme by offering 15 fellowships to teachers working in the public sector varsities and colleges.

Earlier, in his welcome address, AKU President Shamsh Kassim Lakha highlighted the importance of English in higher education.

He also congratulated the faculty of the AKUCEL for having established their credibility as an academic unit of the varsity as well as making meaningful contribution to the field of English language teaching in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mohammad Khurshid, dean of the medical college, AKU, shared the details of the programme with the audience.

AKUCEL head Dr Sabiha Mansoor in her closing remarks thanked the guests and reiterated Aga Khan University Centre of English Language’s commitment to play its role in the development of English language teaching in Pakistan.—APP