Amir Jahangir, President AGAHI at the launch of Mobile Learning for Education Development

Amir Jahangir, President AGAHI and the Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum launches the collaborative initiative of  Nokia, UNESCO and AGAHI on Mobile Learning for Teacher’s in Pakistan using the Nokia Education Delivery App to facilitate teacher training via mobile phones.

AGAHI, Nokia Pakistan and UNESCO launched the project “Mobile Learning Project for Teacher’s Professional Development” today as formal collaboration in the presence of senior government officials, Nokia representatives and UNESCO representatives. As part of this program, UNESCO and Nokia are joining hands, where Nokia is providing its mobile phones and its application “Nokia Education Delivery (NED) for UNESCO’s project on ‘use of ICT for professional development of public school teachers’ in remote areas.

Since 2011 NED has turned into an open source solution to improve livelihoods, and in order to support such mobile learning innovations to be filled with life in Pakistan, The project will be implemented by AGAHI, a UNESCO partner and a non-profit foundation working in the area of communication and media policy design.

NOKIA

Nokia developed NED to allow using a mobile phone to access and download videos and other educational materials from a constantly updated education library. Operating in hundreds of schools and having reached millions of students in the Philippines, Tanzania, Chile and Colombia, Nokia Education Delivery has been shown to improve study results and increase retention among students.

This collaboration is part of the agreement signed last year between UNESCO and Nokia at international level to promote the use of mobile technologies to further the objectives of “Education for All”. As part of this agreement Nokia is developing applications and new Mobile technologies offering access to information and enrich learning environments at global level.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

In Pakistan, through the project “Mobile Learning for Teachers” Nokia’s Education Delivery application will help UNESCO to enable the delivery of high- quality educational materials to teachers who lack training and resources though mobile phones giving an opportunity to teachers to train themselves on the same level as professionally competent teachers.

UNESCO Director, Kozue Kay Nagata

Speaking about the project, UNESCO Director, Kozue Kai Nagata said, “In 21st century Public- private partnerships are enjoying growing attention and support as a new and sustainable modality for development. We are confident to collaborate with Nokia to provide us with the best platform to train public school teachers. Nokia Education Delivery is fit to match our need of delivering quality training to a large number of public school teachers across Pakistan through the project named “Mobile Learning for Teachers”.

Nokia Education Delivery Information Flow

Speaking about the launch of NED program, Ulrike Vott Nokia Sustainability Manager for Middle East said, “Nokia Education Delivery facilitates education in a fun and interactive way. In addition to the NED software, Nokia offers program implementation support for the benefit of Pakistan’s education landscape.” The Nokia Education Delivery software system has two modules. The first module is installed on a Nokia mobile phone and contains a browse able catalog of educational videos. The second module is installed on the computer of the education administrator. It manages the organization’s mobile video library, so that videos can be added, deleted and updated. It also provides information on the usage of different videos.”

Amir Jahangir, President AGAHI & Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum

Amir Jahangir, President AGAHI and a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, shared his views on the launch that “Pakistan is a knowledge starved country, where universal education has its own challenges. To meet the target of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) on education, Pakistan needs to address its education challenges through innovation and technology which can reach to a larger population with cost effective solutions”.

This unique pilot project for Pakistan has been initiated by UNESCO and AGAHI aims at using Mobile phones as medium for training teachers, where the teachers in remote areas will be equipped with devices, SIMs, a software solution and high quality educational content. The course for training and capacity building will be developed into video files and will be transmitted step by step according to curriculum on the phones provided to teachers. Over the course of the training period, teachers will be tested via SMS on regular basis and as an incentive, those who will score highest in tests will receive free mobile top ups. At the end of the course, test scores of all teachers will be aggregated and the passing teachers will be awarded certificate in the final workshop.

AGAHI, a not for profit, is UNESCO implementing partner in Pakistan. AGAHI specializes in creating communication, information and media policy design tools, that enables the stakeholders to engage in information collaboration on knowledge-based platforms. AGAHI works in building the capacity of knowledge workers in creating content based on best practices to disseminate information in building a more integrated knowledge ecosystem.

Nokia is a global leader in mobile communications whose products have become an integral part of the lives of people around the world. Every day, more than 1.3 billion people use their Nokia to capture and share experiences, access information, find their way or simply to speak to one another. Nokia’s technological and design innovations have made its brand one of the most recognized in the world. For more information.

UNESCO is the United Nations agency with a mandate to defend freedom of expression and press freedom. Article 1 of its Constitution requires the Organization to “ further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations.” To realize this the Organization is requested to “ collaborate in the work of advancing the mutual knowledge and understanding of peoples, through all means of mass communication and to that end recommend such international agreements as may be necessary to promote the free flow of ideas by word and image”.

Innovation Journalism (InJo) is journalism covering innovation. It covers innovation processes and innovation ecosystems. Traditional newsbeats – like business, technology, science and political journalism — look only at certain aspects of innovation processes and ecosystems. But in Innovation Journalism (InJo) innovation is treated as a topic within each beat, and the bigger picture is chopped up to fit into a specific news slot, usually technology or business journalism. Amir Jahangir from Pakistan is not only on Stanford University InJo advisory board, where Innovation Journalism first started a few years ago, but he is also the recipient of World Global Leader Award that is given each year by World Economic Forum to those who are leading the way in either media, technology or business and positively impacting the common man in their own respective countries. Jahangir is working on introducing InJo in Pakistan.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyTIZO0RdrI

NUST to launch Innovation Arbitrage Council at the Innovation Leadership Summit 4 August 2010

Amir Jahangir

The summit will announce the launching of an advisory council “Innovation Arbitrage Council” (IAC) that will have varied business executives on its panel including Mohsin Iqbal, a distinguished technology business executive who has represented companies like Intel and HP in Asia Pacific, and Amir Jahangir, CEO, Mishal, and Advisor to Stanford Center for Innovation and Communication, Stanford University, who has been honoured as the Young Global Leader 2010 by the World Economic Forum, both who played an instrumental role in crystallizing the idea to form the council on innovation.

Published for the ninth consecutive year with an extensive coverage of 133 economies worldwide, the Global Information Technology Report remains the world’s most comprehensive and authoritative international assessment of the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the development process and the competitiveness of nations.

Amir Jahangir Interviews for IAMCR

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj9d2zjj0Tg

Lahore – 31 May 2010 – The Lahore Press Club (LPC) and Mishal Pvt. Limited (MISHAL) have signed a memorandum of understanding on capacity building and training initiatives at the Lahore Press Club today. The MoU envisages of empowering the media by capacity building initiatives for the members of the LPC by creating learning platform through interactive workshops, seminars and courses on specific sectors. Both the organizations will identify the gaps in the reporting structures and building the capacity of the journalists for creating opportunities according to the new tools of global communications.

Both LPC and Mishal will create a knowledge exchange platform; whereby media exchange programs will be developed to build synergies in the field of journalism and technical knowhow. Mishal will develop a framework on journalism/media recognition awards in consultation with NPC. The awards will be developed according to the areas of activities of LPC as well as on national level media and journalism initiatives. MISHAL in collaboration with LPC will also develop an annual report on the “State of Media in Pakistan”.

According to the details of the MoU initiatives for the empowerment and mainstreaming of media professionals will be undertaken by creating a hybrid pool of resources for knowledge sharing. Identifying the gaps in the reporting structures and building the capacity of the journalists for creating opportunities according to the new tools of global communications. MISHAL in collaboration with LPC will develop communication collateral on the achievements of the members of LPC. Mishal will also develop a special social media platform for the members of LPC to create a knowledge sharing platform, based on experience and information collaboration.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Sarmad Bashir, President Lahore Press Club said, the Lahore Press Club has been functional pre-partition and it is the representative body of more than 100 journalists based in Lahore, it also caters for the journalists visiting Lahore from other parts of the country as well as international journalists visiting Pakistan.

Mr. Bashir appreciated Mishal for taking this land mark initiative, which is for the first of its kind in the history of media development in the country that such an opportunity will be available for the media person to enhance their capacity and ability to report and discharge their professional duties. He further said that, LPC will facilitate MISHAL in identifying the areas/sectors for capacity building of its members. LPC will also share its knowledge-based resources in developing the annual report on the State of Media in Pakistan. LPC will also encourage its members to actively take part in the joint initiatives of LPC and MISHAL.

Mr. Amir Jahangir, CEO for Mishal Pvt. Limited appreciated LPC for reposing confidence in Mishal and becoming a partner for a wide-range of activities to empower the media professionals through media trainings, interactive workshops and sector-wise content development trainings for the journalists. He further said, MISHAL will finance technical consultancy for the development of social media platform to create the knowledge-based initiatives for the journalists. MISHAL will develop the media exchange program through a transparent selection process in consultation with LPC. MISHAL in collaboration with LPC will also identify the gaps in the curriculum of Mass Communication/Journalism and Media Studies and will provide a guideline to the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan for improvements in the curriculum to develop the capacity of the media industry.

Mr. Jahangir has been recognized as the Young Global Leader for 2010 by the World Economic Forum for creating initiatives for sustainable development of the media sector in Pakistan. He is also the programme advisor to Stanford Research Center of Innovation Journalism on Global media and Journalism in Pakistan.

Mr. Munem Farooqui, Coordinator for the Lahore Press Club said that, this is an important event for LPC, which will create great opportunities for the media persons in the Lahore and the Punjab region. This will especially recognize the hard work and the professionalism of the LPC members.

The event was attended by the office bearers of LPC, who also supported the idea of innovation through collaboration.

The National Press Club (NPC), Islamabad and Mishal Pvt. Limited (MISHAL) have signed a memorandum of understanding on capacity building and training initiatives at the National Press Club. The MoU envisages of empowering the media by capacity building initiatives for the members of the NPC through interactive workshops, seminars and courses on specific sectors. Both the parties will identify the gaps in the reporting structures and building the capacity of the journalists for creating opportunities according to the new tools of global communications.

Both NPC and Mishal will create a knowledge exchange platform; whereby media exchange programs will be developed to build synergies in the field of journalism and technical know-how. Mishal will develop a framework on journalism/media recognition awards in consultation with NPC. The awards will be developed according to the areas of activities of NPC as well as on national level media and journalism initiatives. MISHAL in collaboration with NPC will also develop an annual report on the “State of Media in Pakistan”.

According to the details of the MoU initiatives for the empowerment and mainstreaming of media professionals will be undertaken by creating a hybrid pool of resources for knowledge sharing. Identifying the gaps in the reporting structures and building the capacity of the journalists for creating opportunities according to the new tools of global communications. MISHAL in collaboration with NPC will develop communication collateral on the achievements of the members of NPC. Mishal will also develop a special social media platform for the members of NPC to create a knowledge society, based on experience and information sharing.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Afzal Butt, President National Press Club said, the National Press Club is the representative body of more than 2500 journalists based in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, it also caters for the journalists visiting Islamabad from other parts of the country as well as international journalists visiting Pakistan. Mr. Butt appreciated Mishal for taking this land mark initiative, which is for the first of its kind in the history of media development in the country that such an opportunity will be available for the media person to enhance their capacity and ability to report and discharge their professional duties. He further said that, NPC will facilitate MISHAL in identifying the areas/sectors for capacity building of its members. NPC will also share its knowledge-based resources in developing the annual report on the State of Media in Pakistan. NPC will also encourage its members to actively take part in the joint initiatives of NPC and MISHAL.

Mr. Amir Jahangir, CEO for Mishal Pvt. Limited appreciated NPC for reposing confidence in Mishal and becoming a partner for a wide-range of activities to empower the media professionals through media trainings, interactive workshops and sector-wise content development trainings for the journalists. He further said, MISHAL will finance technical consultancy for the development of social media platform to create the knowledge-based initiatives for the journalists. MISHAL will develop the media exchange program through a transparent selection process in consultation with NPC. MISHAL in collaboration with NPC will also identify the gaps in the curriculum of Mass Communication/Journalism and Media Studies and will provide a guideline to the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan for improvements in the curriculum to develop the capacity of the media industry. Mr. Jahangir has been recognized as the Young Global Leader for 2010 by the World Economic Forum for creating initiatives for sustainable development of the media sector in Pakistan. He is also the programme adviser to Stanford Research Center of Innovation Journalism on Global media and Journalism in Pakistan.

Mr. Zamir Haider, Chairman Capacity Building and Training Committee of the National Press Club said that, this is an important event for NPC, which will create great opportunities for the media persons in the Islamabad and Rawalpindi region. This will especially recognize the hard work and the professionalism of the NPC members.

The event was attended by the office bearers of NPC and visiting office bearers of other press clubs/media associations and journalists from other parts of the country including, WANA, Daradam Khel, various parts of interior Sindh and Baluchistan.

Geneva, Switzerland, 4 May 2010 – Pakistan was represented by the three dynamic Young Global Leaders; Kasim Kasuri (YGL 2009), Umar Saif and Amir Jahangir (both YGL 2010) at the 7th Young Global Leaders Summit which is taking place in Dar es Salaam from 2 to 7 May in conjunction with the World Economic Forum on Africa.

It is the largest gathering of YGLs since the foundation was created in 2004.

Over 265 Young Global Leaders from over 70 countries representing business, government, civil society, arts & culture, academia, media and social entrepreneurs will participate. Among the registered YGLs, 45 are Africans, including Minister of Home Affairs Lawrence Kego Masha of Tanzania, Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara of Zimbabwe, and Minister of International Cooperation, Town and Country Planning, Air Transport and Infrastructure Karim Wade of Senegal.
In line with previous YGL Summits, the objectives will be to reinforce the three pillars of the YGL community (community building, generating insight and undertaking collective action). YGLs will have an opportunity to connect Tanzanian experiences with global issues and to understand the underlying development environment on the African continent.

Of the two-and-a-half-day Summit, one day will be devoted to “Impact Journeys”, which will give YGLs the opportunity to work with Tanzanian government, civil society and private sector organizations on their challenges, innovations and models for social change. The premise of the Impact Journeys is that boundaries are blurred between the public, private and civil society sectors, and the key solutions to global challenges are much more likely to come about from a blended, integrated approach. Thus, YGLs will visit organizations on 3 May to engage in a dialogue on the various issues that these organizations face and to understand the ecosystem in which the issues and the myriad of actors exist. They will identify possible leverage points at which the various actors can work together to promote positive change.

Following the journeys, YGLs will participate in specific sessions and workshops on innovation, entrepreneurship, measuring impact and empowering change. The programme is also designed to give the YGLs time to realign and advance their YGL task forces and initiatives.

Islamabad, PK – 15 April, 2010 – The Board of Directors of Mishal (Pvt.) Limited appointed Amir Jahangir as the Chief Executive Officer to run the Mishal as the new source of media and communications solutions entity.

Mr. Jahangir has re-joined Mishal after he left it in August 2008, when he took over the charge of Jaag Broadcasting Systems (Pvt.) Limited, which runs SAMAA TV in Pakistan. Mr. Jahangir is the founder and was the Chief Strategy Officer for Mishal from 2003 to 2008.

During his association of more than 5 years with Mishal, Mr. Jahangir was able to position the company as the leading strategic communication and media solution provider in the country. He was able to successfully create a portfolio of clients which included; various projects of the United States Agency for International Development, the Competitiveness Support Fund, a joint initiative of USAID and the Government of Pakistan, Pakistan Initiative for Strategic Development and Competitiveness, ATCO Frontec, Canada for NATO’s work in the earthquake affected areas, Government of Pakistan with its core economic ministries and etc.

Mr. Jahangir during his association with SAMAA TV earned numerous awards and recognition for the organization. His initiatives of 1st Media Scholarship Programme with the Higher Education Commission and a National Inter-University Documentary Competition; “Cultivating Hope against Extremism; Empowering the Youth of Pakistan” earned him the honour of Young Global Leader for 2010 by the World Economic Forum in earlier this year.

Mr. Jahangir also successfully initiated the National Polio Control Cell to eradicate Polio from Pakistan, an initiative recognized at both national as well as international forums as a benchmark for constructive journalism to improve the healthcare delivery mechanism and empowering the citizens to demand their right for quality healthcare.

The initiative of Mr. Jahangir earned SAMAA TV the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Excellence Award in Concern for Health. This made Pakistan to be the 1st country in Asia to have a broadcaster to win such a prestigious award.

Mr. Jahangir has termed his new role at Mishal (Pvt.) Limited as a new incarnation for him to create value for the stakeholders by building the capacity of the media to report boldly, accurately and responsibly.