Teachers’ training webinar on empowering differently-abled children

On 8 August 2023, a live teachers’ training webinar on “Empowering Differently-Abled Children” was organised jointly by AIEF (Artificial Intelligence Education Foundation), Soliton Technologies, Soliton Welfare Foundation and Simmons University, in collaboration with Beaconhouse School System, NOWPDP, ESSA Labs, LUMS and FAST.

More than 200 teachers from across Pakistan attended the online session, as reported by Dawn and The News. It gave them practical tools, new insights and a global perspective on building truly inclusive classrooms, and participants could earn a certificate.

Agenda

• 3:30 PM: Introduction by Dr. Fauzia Khan, CEO of AIEF and Soliton Welfare Foundation
• 3:35 PM: Address by the First Lady of Pakistan, Begum Samina Alvi
• 3:50 PM: Lessons learnt, by Amin Hashwani, President of NOWPDP
• 4:10 PM: Teaching points by Prof. Chris Evans, Simmons University
• 6:00 PM: Questions and answers

What teachers learned

• The background and global presence of inclusive education
• Laws that protect children with special needs in the United States
• Culturally responsive teaching
• Theory to practice, through video demonstrations
• Pathways to a master’s degree in inclusive education

Dr. Fauzia Khan opened the event by stressing how urgent it is to empower differently-abled children, and how much depends on teachers. The First Lady spoke about inclusivity in education and the nation’s commitment to equal opportunities for every child. Amin Hashwani shared lessons from NOWPDP’s work, and Prof. Chris Evans led a detailed teaching session.

About AIEF

AIEF (Artificial Intelligence Education Foundation) is dedicated to empowering Pakistani AI talent. It is a collaborative community of experts from academia and the tech industry working together to advance the field of AI through research initiatives, training programmes and opportunities to learn next-generation technology skills.

About Simmons University

For more than 100 years, Simmons University has put the needs of its students first, combining intellectual leadership with professional preparation.