Interviews and Testimonials of Senior Officials
“For Sindh IT department it is our mission to act as the enabler for building a knowledge-based society in all spheres of human activity ranging from Industry, Academia and Administration to Governance. Induction of IT at all levels of government to improve efficiency, transparency and provide quality services is our priority. Few careers today exist without the use of computers. Knowing how to use a computer for basic operations opens door for new job opportunities. I really commend the efforts made by IT department who have trained many employees and lay men through Intel Easy Step Course and opened new vistas for them.”
Raza Haroon, Minister for IT, Science & Technology, Government of Sindh
“The government is endeavoring to improve the quality of education by promoting initiatives in fields of science and technology. Today, globalization and technological change have created a new global economy, powered by technology, fueled and driven by information. We wholeheartedly support the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair which provides greater avenues for interaction between students and their peers on a global platform.”
Sardar Aseff Ahmed Ali Khan, Federal Minister for Education, Government of Pakistan
"Our hope is that such competitions as Intel ISEF will attract more children to the field of research in sciences, but an equally important goal and challenge is to get more and more young minds exposed to and involved in such activities.”
Qazi Mohammad Asad, Minister for Higher Education, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
“I hope that quality projects selected through this competition will also be recognized in the forthcoming Intel International Science & Engineering Fair 2009, scheduled to be held in USA in May this year. And wish all the participants success in their future endeavors.”
Mir Hazar Khan Bijrani, Federal Minister for Education, Government of Pakistan
“ICT infusion shall bridge the digital divide amongst students of public and private sector and the Government of Punjab is striving hard to achieve this goal.”
Aslam Kamboh, Secretary, School Education Department, Government of Punjab
“The Ministry of Education and Intel are promoting competitive environment for teachers and academic institutions. Intel is playing a vital role in education sector and the ministry would further strengthen its coordination with Intel to achieve better performance in future.”
Muhammad Athar Tahir, Federal Education Secretary, Government of Pakistan
“It is heartening to see Pakistani students get international recognition through this platform created by private-public partnership.”
Muhammad Jehangir Bashar, Federal Education Secretary, Government of Pakistan
“Education has two purposes, one is to produce good citizens while the other is to produce competitive workforce for tomorrow, which we can only do and achieve by enabling students to utilize technology more effectively.”
Ali Hussain Malik, Additional Secretary, School Education Department, Government of Punjab
“The Government of Pakistan aims to improve quality of education by promoting initiatives in areas of science and technology. We also encourage easy access to computers by our youth in collaboration with leading organizations such as Intel Pakistan. We have wholeheartedly supported the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair which is a unique opportunity for our students to improve their research and engineering skills while displaying their talent before a global audience.”
Shahid Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan
"Very informative, executed with tremendous commitment, really praise worthy, the authorities in Pakistan need to adopt something similar for all kinds of trainings of teachers. Integrating technology with training of teachers is a unique blend, when majority of teachers avoid bringing radical changes in the education system at the school level." –
Shaigan Shareef Malik, Additional Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan
"The effective integration of ICT into the educational system is an elaborate, multifaceted process that not just involves technology but also curriculum and tutelage. Intel Pakistan, with the implementation of the Intel Teach and Intel ISEF in the province, will provide unprecedented support and opportunities for both teachers and students in ways unimaginable.”
Izhar Ahmed, Additional Secretary School Education Department, Government of Punjab
“Intel Teach carries a high didactic value and it is designed to improve teaching and learning through effective integration of technology. It has the classic winning features (professional development training on ICT integration, effective assessment methods, scaffolding, developing 21st century skills). This course marks the beginning of new era of integrating the modern technology in Fazaia System of Education.”
Group Captain Tahir Mahmood, Director Teacher Training Institute, Islamabad
“The administration’s attitude and knowledge about capacity building has a tremendous impact on the development of employees, obtaining the necessary tools to provide them training and promote learning networks is very crucial. Intel Easy Step trainings have been a critical tool in order to better enable basic computing skills in the workplace and we are trying to gain maximum benefit from such resources realizing that the changes in technology in today’s world have serious social and economic ramifications.”
Syed Muhammad Mehanti, District Coordinating Officer Karachi, Government of Sindh
“The Intel Education Policy Forum is a great step in scaling stakeholder engagement, providing opportunities and showcasing content and for creating benchmarks and best practices across the reach and benefit of Public Sector educational departments and organizations. This surely is a sustained effort towards literacy, accessibility and quality.”
Faisal Mushtaq, Executive Director, Roots School System, Rawalpindi
“Intel is supporting Education in Pakistan in the best way. We have to innovate and infuse new polices in our Education System for better and productive workforce of Pakistan.”
Qaiser Rashid, Deputy Secretary, School Education Department, Government of Punjab
“Need of ICT integration is inevitable if we want our future generations to think critically, independently and creatively.”
Air Commodore Waheed Tariq, Assistant Chief of Air Staff - Education
“We lay tremendous emphasis on developing global community and work-based technological awareness through Curriculum. Building of lifelong skills is a part of the RSS Academic experience and philosophy. RSS remains constantly and inquisitively aware of its responsibility to prepare its students to become digital citizens and future technology leaders.”
Chaudhary Faisal Mushtaq, Executive Director, Roots School System
“We have found a golden goose in the form of Intel Education Program, which is giving us gold free of cost. We don’t want to miss this chance and always welcome and are willing to cooperate with Intel Education Initiative.”
Ibrahim Kumbher, Executive District Officer Education Karachi, Government of Sindh
“Pakistan is home to an incredible amount of untapped potential and talent, as demonstrated by the high number of participants qualifying for the National Science Fair 2009. These students have excelled in their field enabling themselves to compete against students from across the country.”
Muhammad Ismail, Deputy Educational Advisor, Federal Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan
“In collaboration with Intel, we have created a solid platform for our young students to demonstrate their scientific skills, while having the chance to connect with other like-minded innovators. This initiative will not only serve to encourage and nurture young scientists across the province, but will also be able to re-emphasize the need for innovation and technology as a powerful tool for research and learning. Intel ISEF is committed to constantly promoting technology in our classrooms while connecting young people to each other and to their aspirations and goals. This public-private partnership will hopefully pave a stream of opportunities in Pakistan in the years to come - one where technology & research will open avenues of knowledge and information in the world of education, so much so that the bond between technology and young minds will be unbreakable.”
Khalid Khan, Director, Department of Science and Technology, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
“I visited a few urban and semi urban GCET campuses and I was astonished at the change of mind set of the administrators and teachers who were playing their roles in imparting vibrant trainings. I had face to face session with the students and they welcomed my suggestion very positively. Each and every student was keen to participate and we hardly had any absentee, they wanted their portfolios to be burnt on the CD for future usage and show casing.”
Mr. Tariq Saeed, Education Specialist, UNICEF, Lahore
“There was total revamping of the computer labs, we first asked the GCET Principals to send us the present computer labs status and then advice was given where and what needs to change or up-graded, the whole institute gave the impression that some event was going on, there was total 100% attendance in the colleges, those students who did not wanted to attend the computer labs were a regular visitor and their faces beamed with confidence as if they are taking something with them daily.”
Mr. Tariq, Deputy Director GCET.
Interviews and Testimonials of Teachers, Administrators & Students
Intel Teach Program
“Using the methods that I have learned from the Intel training, I feel more competent and my teaching methodology has improved. I can now manage my time better, as lots of activities that I used to do manually I now do on computer, which helps save time. Now, I can confidently conduct my class and my students are satisfied and take interest during classes”
Kehkashan Haq, Subject Teacher, IISAR Foundation
"Intel and RSS joint curriculum will not only develop 21st century skills & technology literacy, it will also involve them in other meaningful tasks like planning, reflecting on their work and giving suggestive feedback to each other."
Anjum Azhar, Headmistress, Roots School System.
“I always hated sitting in front of the computer, but this training has totally brought a change in me as now I want to use computer more and more as this training has channeled me to do something concrete, while sitting at the computer.”
Asma, GCET B.Ed. student
“The education system has improved tremendously. I assign small projects to my class, resulting in increased student understanding of basic concepts and improved test scores as well. I feel that I became a better teacher since I participated in the Intel Teach Program.”
Farheen Hameed, Senior Subject Teacher, IISAR Foundation
“The training made a lot of difference for me. I realized that the Internet is a rich source of information and gives a lot of ideas for my classroom teaching. A project is an extended inquiry into various aspects of a real-world topic that is of interest to students and teachers. Because of its real-world appeal, students are motivated to investigate, to record and report their findings. The hallmark of project learning is greater independence of inquiry and "ownership" of the work on the part of students. When compared with the traditional form of instruction, PBL allows students a greater degree of choice and capitalizes on internal motivation.”
Sarwat Shahzadi, Fazaaia School System, Islamabad
“IT was just like a ghost and I had not even touched a mouse earlier, the training helped me overcome my fear and motivated me towards use of IT skills.”
Asma Afzal, Scout Leader, Karachi
"Enhancement sessions reinforce a lot of concepts, I enjoyed session on assessment; it gave me more clarity on how to embed assessments in instructional procedures."
Shazia Nadeem, Teacher, Roots School System, Rawalpindi
“Project based learning is much more interesting than the conventional style of learning. Also, use of computers in daily classes has helped us learn and understand more.”
Adeel Sheikh, student of IISAR Foundation School.
“The Science Teacher Training workshop is very informative as well as interesting. Such type of workshops should be conducted and organized at every institution regularly.”
Sadia Almas Gardezi, Senior Subject Teacher, Girls Intermediate College, Chikar, Ajk
“On the last day of the workshop, I really feel a change in myself, in terms of mental approach towards scientific method of teaching and dealing with students. I am really thankful to Intel Education administration for holding such a workshop in the earthquake affected capital of Ajk. I am also thankful to the Education Department of Ajk for providing us an eventful learning activity in our own district.”
Zaheer Aziz, Senior Science Teacher, Government Model Degree Science College, Muzaffarabad
“It’s my pleasure to be a participant of “Students as Scientists” workshop. I am sure by adopting the strategies presented in the workshop I will be making a lasting difference in my classroom teaching. Furthermore, I have also realized that in order to excel in the modern world, we have to integrate educational technology and research based science teaching.”
Sheikh Rafiullah, Senior Science Teacher, Army Public School and College, Chinar Campus, Murree
"A quality education brings a lifetime of opportunities and is the key to long-term success. With this program, these teachers will receive the training necessary to improve their institutions and their students' ability to learn, grow and continue their academic pursuits, the word has spread and more requests are coming from both public and private sector to organize more trainings."
Matlooba Dar, Principal, Govt. Model Degree Science College, Muzaffarabad
“In the near future we think that with the help of Intel we might be able to fight against poverty and differences in society which become the root cause of destruction, if we are not able to do so, that could be a disaster. We must prove that the only solution for all problems is knowledge. IISAR Foundation and Intel are working towards this cause of spreading knowledge through technology and letting the whole nation enter into the 21st century, well equipped learning environment to handle its challenges.”
Prof. Ahmed Saleem, IISAR Foundation, Karachi
“The work we do today is going to have a great impact on our future. It is encouraging for us to be able to have such support from a company, as reputable as Intel, and we sincerely appreciate the generosity of Intel Education in support of our efforts to educate the rural teachers in Pakistan.”
Mohammad Bilal Joiya, DMO, Gujrat
Interviews and Testimonials of Teachers, Administrators & Students
Intel ISEF
"Very few opportunities exist for young people from tribal areas to learn about scientific research. This program offers them a chance to work with university professors and to stay involved by working with mentors back in their communities."
Maqbool Shah, Senior Science Teacher, Government High School No.1, Jamrud, Khyber Agency
“This whole week felt like a dream. Time passed, but I felt like I was in another world and time was still. I am so grateful for being selected to participate in the National Science Fair. I was really hoping I would become a finalist. But I still feel so appreciated! Wow!”
Danish Bashir, Winner of the Best of Category Team Project in Mathematics.
“There is no dearth of scientific talent among rural children, but facilities to harness it need to be improved. If teachers in rural areas can bring about the facilities in their community schools it will immensely help the children. This is where policy-makers can make significant contributions.”
Mansoor Khan, Senior Science Teacher, Public School & College Jutial, Gilgit
“If we prepare educated humans in our society in advance by providing proper education facilities to our younger generation, then only we can move towards the path of success. Kulsum is an asset for the school, motivated by her success all the students of our grade 9 are approaching their teachers, as they also want to participate in Intel Science Olympiads.”
Rizawana Khalil, Principal Government Kinnaird High School, Lahore
“This is my first opportunity to participate in such a big science fair. We started researching on the internet only some time back. I came to know about some very interesting concepts on the web, which I had never used till last year. The most important part of this competition is the presentation of the project, which is a valuable experience for me, because it has given me the confidence to convince others that my project is well thought out and executed. It was wonderful to interact with people representing all parts of the province.”
Mohammad Rizwan Majeed, The Educators, Abbottabad participant KPK Provincial Science Fair.
“There is little or no access to scientific information in more than half of rural Kashmir. This program is reaching out to rural areas to encourage young minds to become involved in science and nurture their interests by linking them with local community leaders, educators, or researchers who can serve as mentors."
Matlooba Dar, Principal, Government Model Science College, Muzaffarabad
“My students are participating for the first time in a fair on such a big scale. We feel overwhelmed to stand on the same platform with students from schools in big cities. This has really inspired not only our students but also the teachers. Students’ have displayed extreme creative projects and it is a thrill to see the hidden talent that resides amongst our youth, as we come from a very modest background. Such initiatives can go a long way in changing the future of the youth from remote areas of Pakistan.”
Fakhr-ul-Ameen from Government Centennial Model High School, Marghuz, Swabi
Interviews and Testimonials of Teachers, Administrators & Students
Intel ISEF Finalists
“It is obviously a great honor for me. Participating in this prestigious science fair means a lot to me, I got a great deal of inspiration. Honestly, I almost broke into tears upon my selection. It is unbelievable because I even never got a chance of going as far as to Lahore and Karachi during my entire life.”
Musa Rahim Khan, Finalist Intel ISEF 2012.
”Intel ISEF means a lot to me, crave to become a great scientist of the world can nourish in such environment. It is a door leading towards the fulfillment of my dreams.”
Syed Shahzeb Zarrar, Finalist Intel ISEF 2012.
“This is something really wonderful that ever happened to me. We really want to thank Intel for providing such platform where we can show our skills and prove ourselves as innovative students of Pakistan.”
Shiza Gulab, Finalist / Winner Intel ISEF 2012
“The most important lesson that I learned at Intel International Science and Engineering Fair is to work voluntarily and help the community at large, I definitely would like to engage in such activities in future.”
Mehwish Ghafoor, Finalist / Winner at Intel ISEF 2011
“I promised myself not to lose hope and not to be sad even if I didn’t win the competition or even if my research was not successful because I gained a lot of knowledge regarding research in science while participating in the Intel Science Fair. I am really thankful to Allah almighty, my teacher, my parents and Intel which helped made my dream come true.”
Habibullah Hal Mohammadi, Finalist Intel ISEF 2011
“I am extremely proud and happy to have represented Pakistan at six international sciences competitions. May parents and my teachers have been a source of inspiration and guidance throughout the process and without their support I would not have been able to achieve this. Intel ISEF played a vital role in giving me direction and helped me to seek new opportunities. Hard work and dedication have taught me a lot, it has changed the way I look at the world. I have learned to face challenges and cope with my fears.”
Malik Muhammad Usama Ahmed Awan, Finalist / Winner Intel ISEF 2009
“Teachers hope to make it easier for their students to advance their projects outside of class, they push them to limits, to invent new techniques, and to look at problems in new ways,”
Murat Yakut, Pak Turk International School & College, Khairpur supervisor of finalist Usama Ahmed Awan, Finalist / Winner Intel ISEF 2009
“Ever since I can remember, making my name in the world on the basis of research work has been at the top of my ambitions. The giant contributions made to human welfare by the scientists are undeniable. For ages, I have aspired of becoming the next Newton or Maxwell. Therefore, with such an opportunity in hand, it is not surprising that I am availing it. My most notable achievement to date has been participating in the National Science Olympiad 2009 and being selected to represent Pakistan at the Intel ISEF 2009.”
Saad Qadeer, Finalist Intel ISEF 2009
“Our youth possess immense potential for research and creativity but they lack opportunities and resources; participating in Intel Science Olympiad has provided us a way to achieve our dreams.”
Muhammad Qasim, Finalist Intel ISEF 2009
“She is now taking her studies very seriously and has developed outstanding confidence. She’s now ready to lead in anything and everything and has also developed a wider sense of vision, performs her duties with more responsibility. There is a visible urge in her to prove herself. I am hopeful that she will further win laurels in her studies and other activities.”
Shamim Akhtar, mother Kulsum Bilal, ISEF Finalist / Winner Intel ISEF 2007
“I really like people who want to help others and make a difference in the world. Personally I want to help special people and make their lives as normal as possible. Now, I am more confident and have learned never to give up. Work hard and love what you do, soon success will follow.”
Fatima Shami, Finalist / Winner Intel ISEF 2007
“I never thought I would reach the international competition, as some of the projects from Pakistan were just so good. And to me winning the national and international fairs was a dream come true. I met so many nice students and made a lot of friends.”
Kulsum Bilal, Finalist / Winner at Intel ISEF 2007
“Participating at the Intel ISEF has been a wonderful experience. I have never been this happy before in my entire life. The Intel ISEF was not just a competition for me but it was a whole new world of learning and enjoyment.”
Hamza Shiekh, Finalist / Winner at Intel ISEF 2006
