Bridging Research & Action in Education Development – Insights from Pakistan & Beyond

Join a dynamic discussion featuring Pakistani and global education experts as they tackle the challenge of optimizing the utility of research for policymakers and practitioners. Despite substantial investments in research, realizing its desired impact often proves elusive. Explore the underlying reasons for this gap and discover actionable strategies to bridge the divide between research and effective education reforms.

Pakistan, as the fifth most populous country, faces unique challenges with a sizable youth population. It boasts one of the world's largest school education systems, yet it grapples with access, learning, and governance issues. Pakistan has been on a prolonged journey of education reform, with the support of numerous donor programs and research organizations. Despite incremental improvements in educational outcomes, the transformative impact remains a distant goal.

However, Pakistan is not alone in this predicament. Many countries share a similar story — substantial investments are made in research and reform programs, but the real-world impact often falls short of expectations. To shed light on how to achieve more effective outcomes, we have convened a diverse panel of stakeholders — leading researchers, practitioners, and policymakers — who will share a candid perspective on what can be done better.

Robert Jenkins – Global Director of Education, UNICEF

Qaiser Rashid – Additional Secretary, School Education, Punjab, Pakistan

Ahmad Iqbal – Former Mayor, Narowal, Punjab, Pakistan, and Founder @ Dehleez

Brad Olsen – Senior Fellow, Brookings Institute

Raja Jawad – Communications Advisor, Education Reforms

Moderators:

Dr. Sharon Ravitch – Professor of Practice at GSE

Usama Mahmud – Visiting Scholar and International Development Practitioner