California Educational Team Keen to Share Experiences with the People of Pakistan
By Anastasia Selberis
Los Angeles, CA: Despite political pandering, Americans from California were excited to share their educational expertise for the people of Pakistan. Calpak Education Services, which recently announced its collaboration with US State Department’s US-Pakistan Women’s Council USPWC, was on a tour of Pakistan with its California team Calpak, a USPWC member, aims to provide “accessible, affordable education for all-- especially girls,” and with mentorship programs for girls to help them stay in school.
Calpak also aims to enhance vocational training and education programs, through its online training workshops, to prepare the next generation of Pakistanis for a competitive job market. Calpak dually focuses on providing higher education opportunities, through US accredited courses and degrees, and adopting and reforming dysfunctional primary and secondary schools.
Speaking at the opening of California Southern University's new campus, DrFinestone expressed CSU's desire to help educate Pakistani youth. Calpak and California Southern University, which was established in 1978 in California by the visionary Dr Don Hecht, has perfected the online schooling platform over the past decades. Dr Gwen Finestone explained, “It is our profound belief that education is a right that should be afforded to every Pakistani who seeks knowledge and self-improvement. We actively promote education, gender, and wage equality for girls and women. We hope to provide opportunities for affordable higher education to the young people of Pakistan, who may not otherwise have access to a US accredited degree, in order to create an educated and literate citizenry capable of contributing to country and family.”
DrFinestone and Calpak’s CEO, Anila Ali, met with the Sindh Government’s Secretary DrFazulllahPechuhu, and Secretary Education, Dr Iqbal Durrani, to provide training courses for nurses and educators. Both secretaries expressed their desire to work with Calpak to promote education. In Sindh, the Calpak team also met with the dean of KSBL and Habib University to find ways to collaborate. DrFinestone was pleased to tour both campuses and found them to be of high caliber. Additionally, the Calpak team met with M. John Warner, Deputy Consul General at the US Consulate, Karachi, to find ways to promote education.
Next on the trip’s agenda was a meeting with the US Ambassador to Pakistan: David Hale. The Ambassador and his team of diplomats discussed ways to help Calpak promote education in Pakistan, empower girls.
A visit to the National Assembly of Pakistan was also had; team Calpak was invited to observe the National Assembly’s session by the women leaders from Pakistan People’s Party. MNA SyedaShahidaRehmani. DrFinestone and Anila Ali observed the opening winter session of the Assembly.
“It is so empowering to see women leaders take the floor of the Assembly and debate issues,” said Ali, “that is what Calpak wants, to educate and empower the next generation of leaders in Pakistan, especially girls.”
The Honorable Speaker of the National Assembly, SardarAyazSadiq and many members of the House warmly welcomed and greeted the Calpak team in the speaker’s chambers and exchanged ideas on education and collaboration. MNA ShahidaRehmani gave Calpak team a tour of the National Assembly.
Furthermore, Calpak met with the officials from Higher Education Commission, Dr Butt and discussed ways to help in the education sector. Calpak also held meetings with Punjab Education Secretary, Dr Allah Buksh Malik, and will be offering ways to help serve the needs of the students in Punjab.
To learn more about our initiatives and to join us:
www.calpak-edu.org or
Email: info@calpak-edu.org
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