Phase III: 2007- 2013

Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development's (AKU-IED) Phase II will conclude in May 2007 and the third phase will commence in June 2007. AKU-IED has emerged as a dynamic and learning institution, which will be actively engaged in developing best practices of teacher education, teacher learning, institutional capacity building, school improvement and effectiveness, educational leadership and management.

During the Phase III, high priority will be given to institutional capacity building of the education sector in Pakistan and other developing countries and assessing the impact of AKU-IED's initiatives at school and policy levels. The institute's broader intention will be to continue to serve as a 'national resource', taking a lead role in developing credible innovative teacher education and school improvement models; influencing education policy and practice; conducting research; and promoting scholarship. It will maintain its international standards in education, research and service and contribute substantially to the body of research knowledge and educational reforms within and outside Pakistan for creating an impact on educational development in the respective countries.

Phase III will also draw on the successful experiences and achievements of Phase I and II. During the third phase, enhanced emphasis will be given to interdisciplinary research, longitudinal and comparative studies, influencing education policy through policy and impact studies, policy dialogues and advocacy, and a regular review of national education policy for developing a better understanding of the complexity of educational issues at the systems and policy levels.

AKU-IED will further strengthen its collaboration with the governments in the countries, especially Pakistan and with AKDN institutions, including Aga Khan Education Service (AKES), Aga Khan Academies, University of Central Asia, and other academic units of AKU. Collaboration with the governments will focus on issues related to policy and testing new models in the area of teaching and learning, school improvement, managing change and educational leadership. AKU-IED will further build capacity of its Professional Development Centres (PDCs) to deliver needs-based outreach programmes more effectively in their respective areas.

During Phase III, a number of new programmes will be initiated including MEd specialisation and an Advanced Diploma in early childhood education and development, certificate programmes in curriculum studies, policy studies, research methods, and programme monitoring and evaluation. New MEd electives such as moral education, comparative education, foundations of education and literacy in education will be offered. A scheme of credit accumulation will also be developed in order to align the Advanced Diploma programmes with the MEd programme. AKU-IED's niche areas in the third phase are expected to be: i) policy studies; ii) teaching and learning; iii) educational leadership and management; and iv) citizenship education.

AKU-IED will work towards achieving sustainable objectives for itself and the communities in which it participates. This will also help to contribute towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and the goals of Education for All (EFA) in the developing countries including Pakistan. It is envisaged that the Institute's new activities and collaboration with public and private organisations would empower individuals and institutions to bring about sustainable reforms in educational systems of Pakistan, as well as in other developing countries.