Conference on 'Equity and Inclusion in Education' held

The Asian Center for Inclusive Education (ACIE) Bangladesh organized the ‘6th International Conference on Equity and Inclusion in Education’ through hybrid approach (Zoom and in person) from 19-21 May at the Bishwa Shahittyo Kendro in Dhaka.

Co-hosts of the conference are Pune University India, Green University Bangladesh, Independent University Bangladesh, UNESCO Dhaka, CBM Global, Plan International Bangladesh, Room to Read Bangladesh and SESAME Workshop Bangladesh. The chair of the conference was Prof. Dr. Umesh Sharma, Monas University, Australia.

Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Professor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman was present as the chief guest of the opening ceremony.

Speaking as the chief guest, Akhtaruzzaman said that the education system of Bangladesh, like the rest of the world, came nearly to a standstill situation during the Covid-19 period.

The Government of Bangladesh has continued its online and offline learning activities by taking appropriate initiatives to ensure that educational activities are not disrupted during these disasters and has also provided incentives to students through subsidy at primary, secondary and university level. He hoped that in the future other universities including Dhaka University would play a leading role in adapting to any situation through research activities.

Former Vice Chancellor of Noakhali University of Technology and Science Professor Dr M Wahiduzzaman and the Director of Education and Research Institute, Dhaka University Professor Abdul Halim was present as the special guest in the opening session.

Two keynotes were presented on the first day by Professor Dr. Tim Lorman, President and Vice-Chancellor, Concordia University of Edmonton, Canada, and Professor Dr. Syed Manjurul Islam, Department of English, University of Dhaka.

Also on the first day a panel discussion session was conducted by CBM Global. Representatives of the Co-hosts of the conference gave video presentations about activities and achievements of their respective organizations.

The entire session of the second day and the morning sessions of the third day of the conference were conducted through the online Zoom platform. In these sessions, a total of 78 research papers from different universities, government and non-government organizations, research institutes and development partners from 17 countries have been presented. One keynote speaker was Prof. Dr. Sanjeev Sonawane, Dean, School of Education, S. P. University of Pune, India.

Minister of Education of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Dr. Dipu Moni was present as the Chief Guest and Hon'ble State Minister for Education Mr. Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury was present as Special Guests at the closing ceremony on Saturday. Ms. Beatrice Kaldun, Head of office and UNESCO representative to Bangladesh and Prof. Md. Mashiuzzaman, Chairman of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh as the Guest of Honor.

In his concluding remarks, the Hon'ble Minister of Education, Dipu Moni said that the education system of Bangladesh is being managed in the right direction by tackling the CCovid-19 disaster. In order to make the education system sustainable in the changing global situation, proper planning as well as curriculum needs to be up-to-dated. Bangladesh government has already revised the new curriculum. She hopes that the education system of Bangladesh would move forward with proper preparation to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Chief Guest Md. Mashiuzzaman hopes that this international conference would play a vital role in coordinating the education system of Bangladesh and other countries of the world addressing to inclusion of children with disabilities in the mainstream education.

Minister of State for Education emphasized on the importance of technical education for the children with disabilities. He said that initiatives have been taken to include technical education system in the mainstream of education system in Bangladesh. As a result, the education system of Bangladesh will be transformed into a productive education system.

ACIE's regular event: On the closing day the Nirafat Anam Memorial Inclusion (NAMI) Award has been presented for the fifth time. This award is given every two consecutive years. This year, the UCEP Bangladesh founder late Lindsay Allan Cheyne has been honored for her role in building a cohesive society. In his concluding remarks, the Member Secretary of the Conference, Prof. Dr. Tariq Ahsan thanked the conference co-organizers, guests, session chairs, panelists, participants and all concerned. He hopes that the research papers presented at the conference, including policy reforms, would contribute to the overall development of a sustainable education system with special attention to inclusion policies and practices for children with special needs into the mainstream education.