The Pakistani Educational Leadership Project (PELP) has been funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of Citizen Exchanges, since an inaugural one month institute at Plymouth State University in 2004. Shaped by Pakistan’s reform initiatives, it provides Pakistani educators with the opportunity to explore U.S. innovations in educational leadership for adaptation in Pakistan. In the process they also build relationships with U.S. citizens.
The project now has 219 alumni, 75% women, who live in every province and Pakistan-administered area. Most work with marginalized populations in vulnerable rural regions. They are extraordinary – the grassroots front line in a shape-changing world.
In Federal Fiscal Year 2007, as the recipient of a U.S. Department of State Open Competition Award, the project expanded to its current configuration, encompassing U.S. and Pakistan components. The Pakistani Educational Leadership Project now consists of a year-round, real-time, collective, collaborative, U.S.-Pakistan partnership. Besides an intensive institute housed at Plymouth State University, the dual-country grant cycle includes follow-on activities in Pakistan that demonstrate outcomes of institute training; and reciprocal programs.
As a measurable impact of federal assistance, alumni report sharing the results of institute learning with over 100,000 of their colleagues and students throughout Pakistan. They also benefit from being welcome guests in a small New Hampshire town.
As an exciting spin-off of State Department funding, a community of practice – and spirit – has evolved from the alumni base that transcends boundaries. It consists of interested individuals and networks in both countries. Linkages include U.S. Department of State Alumni; U.S. Embassy, Islamabad, Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network; USAID Education Pakistan; Embassy of Pakistan, Washington D.C; Harvard University’s South Asia Initiative and Pakistan programs; Phillips Academy’s Non Sibi; and the Max Warburg Foundation
Please visit the newly created facebook group for the project where participants share their stories and pictures, and keep us updated on their work in Pakistan.
For more information please contact:
Blake Allen
Director, Pakistani Educational Leadership Project at Plymouth State University
ballen@plymouth.edu
(603) 535-2615
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