My name is Mohammad Ahmad. I am working as a Senior Subject Specialist in Govt. College for Elementary Teachers, Rangeelpur. There was a time when I was totally against notions like Gender equity and equality, women rights and liberty. My fundamental beliefs in our customary social and cultural values made me a firm conformist. To me, it was all a Western plan to ruin our socio-cultural norms and family set up. I believed that non-Muslim countries have strategically planned to spread vulgarity in our society by dragging our women out of their homes and bringing them out on streets, offices and other public places. I believed that

Participation in various workshops related to gender awareness and discrimination under the umbrella of CPBEP revealed another picture to me, which is altogether opposite to what I perceived. I have learnt that woman is a victim. She is treated as an object and puppet in this male chauvinistic society. Her existence is considered no more than a domestic animal; she works laboriously from dusk till dawn without any acknowledgement. Adding to it, this male oriented society has made her feel unsafe and apprehensive owing to the harassment and prevailing insecurity. These awareness raising sessions have disillusioned me.

These sessions have changed my perception of the notion and ideas of gender equality and equity. This has made me understand that CPBEP is striving to bring change in the lives of women though raising awareness about their rights, making them aware of their capabilities and developing their skills and capacities. This has made me realize that such change in our society will not only emancipate women from stereotype beliefs but also prove beneficial for men eventually. Women working and taking part in every walk of life will share the workload of men and make the world a better place for all.

Centre for Educational Research and Assessment (CERA), as an independent faculty/division of UE, is on its way to institutionalization. The UE management has increased the allocated budget for operational cost and designated full time faculty and staff for the research unit. Yet another major achievement is the development of UE Research Ethics Policy. CERA has also developed a draft research handbook to guide UE faculty and students to conduct research this handbook would also be a useful tool for faculty members for effective supervision of research projects.

The two units of CERA, one at Lower Mall Campus and the other at Bank Road Campus have been established and are now functional. All resources, except networking, for these centres have been provided by UE.

The revised Practicum Model is in the process of piloting. A letter from the Secretary Education was issued to all the cooperating schools to ensure the effective facilitation during the process. This formal instruction restated the seriousness of the task and created greater willingness to accommodate B.Ed students for teaching practice at the school end. The cooperating school staff and faculty engaged in the conduct of the practicum are trained to use the checklists and guidelines for mentoring and evaluating the offering. It is encouraging to see that Practicum Working Group across all participating institutions played a lead role in guiding the piloting activity. Reflective sessions were regularly organized to obtain first hand feedback on the activity.

Knowbites
Top