SMIU and Evolution Signs MoU for U.S. Government-funded Access Program
Dr. Mujeebuddin Sahrai Memon, Vice Chancellor of SMIU, and Ms. Sidrah Niaz, Chief Executive Officer of Evolution, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 30, 2024 at a ceremony held in the Conference Room of SMIU. Mr. Wafa Mansoor Buriro, the focal person from SMIU for the event, signed the MoU as a witness.
The ceremony was also attended by Ms. Anastasia Kolivas, Public Diplomacy Officer from the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi, and Ms. Aisha Zeeshan, English Programs Manager from the same consulate. Additional attendees included Prof. Dr. Tariq Rafi, Chairman of Sindh Higher Education Commission; Prof. Dr. Jamshed Adil Halepoto, Dean of SMIU; Prof. Dr. Fateh Marri, Vice Chancellor of Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam & Umerkot; Dr. Arabella Bhutto, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sufism and Modern Sciences, Bhitshah; and Momal Raza, Lecturer at the University of Sufism and Modern Sciences, Bhitshah.
According to the MoU, 150 bright and economically disadvantaged students from SMIU Model School (75 boys and 75 girls, aged 13-16 and enrolled in grades 7, 8, or 9) will receive English language instruction under the English Access Scholarship Program, funded by the Regional English Language Office (RELO) through the U.S. Mission in Pakistan.
The MoU was set to commence on May 5, 2024, and continue through February 28, 2026. Access classes were expected to start in June 2024, held three times a week (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) at SMIU Model School. In addition to English language instruction, the program aimed to develop students’ digital literacy skills and personal development by fostering balanced intellectual and emotional capabilities to better prepare them for future academic and professional endeavors.
Under the MoU, the program was to hire four qualified teachers, each responsible for a class of 25 students, and one academic coordinator. The program would provide periodic training on the Access curriculum to ensure effective teaching methods, as well as course materials and additional resources to support students and teachers. The MoU stated that students would receive a daily transport allowance of Rs. 135 (subject to fluctuation due to the dollar rate) to facilitate their attendance.
Additionally, the program planned to organize outdoor events, including opening and closing ceremonies, field trips, service-learning projects, UN/U.S. celebrations, and professional development sessions to enhance the student experience.
Before signing the MoU, Dr. Mujeebuddin Sahrai Memon, Vice Chancellor of SMIU, welcomed the guests and appreciated the efforts of the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi for their contributions to education in Pakistan. Dr. Sahrai thanked Ms. Anastasia Kolivas, Ms. Aisha Zeeshan, Ms. Sidrah Niaz, and other dignitaries for their presence at the ceremony. He highlighted the past and present developments of SMIU and expressed his desire for continued cooperation between U.S. Consulate General-sponsored programs and SMIU.
Ms. Anastasia Kolivas praised the Sindh HEC for their openness and commitment to implementing the Access program at universities in Karachi, Umerkot, and Bhitshah. She discussed various U.S. government-funded opportunities for potential future collaborations aimed at enhancing the higher education sector in Sindh.
Prof. Dr. Tariq Rafi, Chairman of Sindh HEC, appreciated the linkages between the U.S. Consulate General and higher education institutions (HEIs) in Sindh. He emphasized the necessity of programs like Access for the capacity building of students and stressed the need for more in-depth and extended linkages between the U.S. Embassy/Consulate and HEIs in Sindh.
Ms. Aisha Zeeshan briefed the dignitaries on U.S. government-funded English programs and their impact on the lives of underprivileged youth by empowering them with English language skills. She mentioned that teachers had been well-trained throughout the RELO program and expressed gratitude to the Sindh HEC Chairman, SMIU’s Vice Chancellor, and all other vice chancellors present. She pledged continued collaboration in the future.
Mr. Wafa Mansoor Buriro, Assistant Professor in the English Department of SMIU, discussed the partnership between the English Department of SMIU and RELO Pakistan developed over the past few years. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of shields to the esteemed guests by Dr. Mujeebuddin Sahrai Memon and a group photo.
Dr. Tariq Rafi, Dr. Mujeeb Sahrai, Ms. Anastasia Kolivas, Ms. Sidrah Niaz, Ms. Aisha Zeeshan, Momal Raza, Dr. Jamshed Adil Halepoto, Dr. Fateh Marri, Wafa Mansoor Buriro, and Dr. Arabella Bhutto were photographed during the MoU signing ceremony at SMIU.