SIBAU value the collaboration and support of ECOSF for Promotion and Implementation of IBSE and Piloting of /Colleges, said by new VC during the meeting with President ECOSF

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A meeting was held on September 23, 2020 at the Vice Chancellor Secretariat, Sukkur IBA University to discuss and review different areas of ongoing collaboration between Sukkur IBA University and ECOSF. The Vice Chancellor Professor Syed Mir Muhammad Shah warmly welcomed the President ECOSF Professor Manzoor Soomro at the University. Other Officials from SIBAU viz.,  Mr. Noor Hussain, Director IBA Community Colleges (IBACC)/Schools; Mr. Mehmood Dool, Principal IBACC Jacobabad and Mr. Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Assistant Director IBACCs and Schools were also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, Prof. Manzoor Hussain Soomro, President ECOSF briefed the Vice Chancellor about the global history and background of Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) in the world and beginning of the programme in ECO Region including Pakistan. It was noted that there is need to have a dedicated coordinator for looking after the matters of collaboration between Sukkur IBA University and ECOSF related to IBSE especially under the framework of MoU signed between ECOSF and SIBAU in January 2020.

President ECOSF shared that a Fusion of One Belt One Road (OBOR) Civilization (FoCEd) curriculum has been developed by Children and Youth Science Center of China in collaboration with Inter-Academy Partnership Science Education Program (IAP SEP), ECOSF and other international organization. The FoCEd aims to promote tolerance and respect of other cultures and traditions through understanding of current scientific knowledge and discoveries driven from ancient wisdom to inculcate global peace and harmony. It was agreed that the piloting of FoCEd will be carried out in IBA Community Colleges and schools

During the meeting, Prof. Manzoor Hussain Soomro President ECOSF introduced Belt and Road International Science Education Coordinating Committee (BRISECC) China; of which the ECOSF is a founder member, and shared its objectives. He emphasized the need of membership of SIBAU in BRISECC which was well appreciated and agreed by Prof. Mir Muhammad Shah.

Prof. Manzoor Hussain Soomro suggested that guide/module for youth prepared by the Inter-Academy Partnership Science Education Programme (IAP-SEP) and Smithsonian Science Education Centre.(SSEC) USA entitled, “COVIDE-19! How can I protect myself and others” should be shared with all IBA Community Colleges and Schools. It is pertinent to mention that IAP-SEP and SSEC Washington are both partner organizations of ECOSF for promotion of STEM/IBSE.

Prof. Manzoor Hussain Soomro President ECOSF urged to maintain a Pool of SIBAU Master Trainers in IBSE having complete database He also emphasized on the need to establish an “IBSE Quality Assurance” Unit with 2-3 Master Trainers designated to monitor and assure the quality with a backup mechanism within the SIBAU CCs.  President ECOSF also discussed the need and venue for the development of an “IBSE Resource Centre” in IBA Community Colleges and schools for support to teachers in activity development. SIBAU in principle agreed with the suggestion and the efforts will be put in to develop the “IBSE Resource Centre” in every community college and school.

It was also made a point of focus to develop modules based on local materials /examples for the contribution in society and better understanding of people. Prof. Manzoor Hussain Soomro emphasized to encourage the participation of nearby government schools in IBACCs and Schools training programs continuously to support and contribute in the community. The suggestion well noted by the SIBAU.

The President ECOSF appreciated the recent performance of SIBAU CCs Master Trainers at Tharparkar and emphasized to utilize SIBAU Master Trainers for capacity Building in other ECO Countries under the aegis of ECOSF in line with MoU between the two organizations.

The Vice Chancellor thanked the distinguished visitor Prof. Soomro for his visit and the support being extended to SIBAU Community Colleges and Schools.

Prof. Manzoor Hussain Soomro then visited the SIBAU Fabrication in Khairpur and suggested that to integrate the emerging technologies in Schools such as 3D printing and LASER Cutting, SIBAU should incorporate it in their schools. He further suggested that market and commercialization of the products developed by Fab Lab should be done. ECOSF will also provide support for it. He further advised that neighbor country students (especially that of Iran) should be invited to study in Fab Lab in support of ECOSF.