Background

The five strong delegation from Bradford travelled to Pakistan and to the Mirpur District in particular to endeavour to foster links with educational institutions. The group, a collaboration between the University of Bradford, Education Bradford, Bradford Achievement Forum, Bradford Confederations and a Keighley based Businessman, visited a range of schools, colleges and universities and held a press conference and meetings with colleagues from a variety of institutions, including; Professor Dr Atta-ur-Rahman, Federal Minister and Chairman of the Higher Education Commission, representatives of the Mirpur District Education Department, the Mirpur Degree College, the Kashmir Institute for Special Education, the Vice Chancellors of Mohiuddin University and University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the British Council in Islamabad.

It was intended to establish practical links, which would enable young people to communicate as pen-pals, either using email or snail mail to develop empathy and understanding across the communities.  In response to a specific concern from Bradford Schools, the possibility of establishing systems to offer educational support for students on extended leave to Mirpur was explored. The delegation spoke with colleagues in Pakistan about strategies for influencing cultural attitudes to higher education vocational career routes. Encouragement and supporting young women to stay in education beyond the age of 13 was frequently discussed, especially with women teachers, head mistresses, teacher educators, mothers and young women students.

The delegates discussed the relevance of such approaches to education and training with local professionals and Ministers in the belief that the partnership model, which characterises the educational provision in Bradford, could be of assistance in the process of regeneration in Pakistan post earthquake. The University was interested in establishing links with local schools and Higher Education institutions because of the considerable expertise it has in Higher Education and curriculum development in particular around widening participation and the engagement of communities with Mirpuri/Pakistani heritage in Higher Education.  Other areas of interest include collaboration around the creation and maintenance of eco-environments, the possibilities of franchising University of Bradford awards with local higher education institutions, and the establishment of level 0 foundation courses which would facilitate the progression of students into higher education in the UK, especially those who come to the UK as spouses of British residents.

The earthquake focused the minds of the delegation on investigating the possibilities of supporting volunteers from staff and student bodies to assist with rebuilding, for instance students from the Schools of Life Science and Health undertaking placements in hospitals in Mirpur/Pakistan and engineering students assisting with rebuilding. Students of Mirpuri/Pakistani heritage who visit regularly could undertake sustained project work.