Kenyan teacher Peter Tabichi wins the $1million Global Teacher Prize 2019 - New Asian Post

Kenyan teacher Peter Tabichi
wins the $1million Global
Teacher Prize 2019
Peter Tabichi, a Maths and Physics teacher from Kenya, was
named as the winner of the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher
Prize 2019 on Sunday 24th March 2019. The Global Teacher Prize
is awarded under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed
Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister
of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. The glittering
award ceremony was hosted by actor, singer, and producer Hugh
Jackman, who performed songs from musical film The Greatest
Showman, including The Greatest Show and Come Alive, before
announcing the winner.

On winning the prize, Peter Tabichi said: “Every day in Africa
we turn a new page and a new chapter. Today is another day.
This prize does not recognise me but recognises this great
continent’s young people. I am only here because of what my
students have achieved. This prize gives them a chance. It
tells the world that they can do anything.

“As a teacher working on the front line I have seen the
promise of its young people – their curiosity, talent, their
intelligence, their belief. Africa’s young people will no
longer be held back by low expectations. Africa will produce
scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs whose names will be one
day famous in every corner of the world. And girls will be a
huge part of this story.

“I believe science and technology can play a leading role in
unlocking Africa’s potential. We all know that scientific
discovery and innovation fuel progress, facilitate development
and can tackle issues such as food insecurity, water shortages
and climate change.

“It’s morning in Africa. The skies are clear. The day is young
and there is a blank page waiting to be written. This is
Africa’s time.”

In a special congratulatory video message broadcast into the
ceremony hall, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, said:

“Mr Peter Tabichi – on behalf of all Kenyans – let me
congratulate you for winning the Global Teacher Prize this
year. You are a shining example of what the human spirit can
achieve – not just for Kenya – not just for Africa – but for
the world.

“Peter – your story is the story of Africa, a young continent
bursting with talent. Your students have shown that they can
compete amongst the best in the world in science, technology
and all fields of human endeavour. All we need is together to
give them the right support. You give me faith that Africa’s
best days are ahead of us and your story will light the way
for future generations.”

Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation,
said: “Everyday in classrooms throughout the world teachers
light the spark of curiosity. I want to congratulate Peter
Tabichi for winning the Global Teacher Prize 2019. I hope
Peter’s story will encourage others to enter the teaching
profession and shine a spotlight on the truly inspiring work
teachers do to make tomorrow brighter than today.”

Now in its fifth year, the US $1 million award is the largest
prize of its kind, and was set up to recognize one exceptional
teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the
profession as well as to shine a spotlight on the important
role teachers play in society.

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About Peter Tabichi
Peter Tabichi is a science teacher who gives away 80% of his
monthly income to help the poor. His dedication, hard work and
passionate belief in his students’ talent has led his poorly-
resourced school in remote rural Kenya to emerge victorious
after taking on the country’s best schools in national science
competitions.

Peter, 36, teaches at Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School, Pwani
Village, Nakuru, situated in a remote, semi-arid part of
Kenya’s Rift Valley. Here, students from a host of diverse
cultures and religions learn in poorly equipped classrooms.
Their lives can be tough in a region where drought and famine
are frequent. Ninety-five percent of pupils hail from poor
families, almost a third are orphans or have only one parent,
and many go without food at home. Drug abuse, teenage
pregnancies, dropping out early from school, young marriages
and suicide are common.

Turning lives around in a school with only one computer, poor
internet, and a student-teacher ratio of 58:1, is no easy
task, not least when to reach the school, students must walk

7km along roads that become impassable in the rainy season.

Undeterred, Peter started a talent nurturing club and expanded
the school’s Science Club, helping pupils design research
projects of such quality that 60% now qualify for national
competitions. Peter mentored his pupils through the Kenya
Science and Engineering Fair 2018 – where students showcased a
device they had invented to allow blind and deaf people to
measure objects. Peter saw his village school come first
nationally in the public schools category. The Mathematical
Science team also qualified to participate at the INTEL
International Science and Engineering Fair 2019 in Arizona,
USA, for which they’re currently preparing. His students have
also won an award from The Royal Society of Chemistry after
harnessing local plant life to generate electricity.

Peter and four colleagues also give low-achieving pupils one-
to-one tuition in Maths and Science outside class and on the
weekends, where Peter visits students’ homes and meets their
families to identify the challenges they face. Despite
teaching in a school with only one desktop computer with an
intermittent connection, Peter uses ICT in 80% of his lessons
to engage students, visiting internet cafes and caching online
content to be used offline in class.

Through making his students believe in themselves, Peter has
dramatically improved his pupils’ achievement and self-esteem.
Enrolment has doubled to 400 over three years, and cases of
indiscipline have fallen from 30 per week to just three. In
2017, only 16 out of 59 students went on to college, while in
2018, 26 students went to university and college. Girls’
achievement in particular has been boosted, with girls now
leading boys in all four tests set in the last year. All of
this is made possible in a severely resource constrained
school by an exceptional teacher.

Global Teacher Prize 2019 Top 10 Finalists
The other nine finalists for the Global Teacher Prize 2019
were:

     Andrew Moffat MBE, a Personal Social Health Education
     (PSHE) teacher from Parkfield Community School,
     Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom;
     Daisy Mertens, an all subjects teacher at community-
     based school De Vuurvogel, Helmond, Netherlands;
     Débora Garofalo a Technologies for Learning teacher at
     EMEF Almirante Ary Parreiras, São Paulo, Brazil;
     Hidekazu Shoto, an English language and ICT teacher at
     Ritsumeikan Primary School, Kyoto, Japan;
     Martin Salvetti Head of Automative Studies and Adult
     Professional Training, at EEST N°5 “2 de Abril”
     Temperley, Temperley, Buenos Aires, Argentina;
     Melissa Salguero, a Music teacher at P.S.48 Joseph R
     Drake elementary school, the Bronx, New York, United
     States;
     Swaroop Rawal, a Life Skills teacher, at Lavad Primary
     School, Gujarat, India;
     Vladimer Apkhazava, a Civic Education teacher at Chibati
     Public School, Tbilisi, Georgia,
     Yasodai Selvakumaran a history and society and culture
     teacher, at Rooty Hill High School, New South Wales,
     Australia.

The original top 50 shortlisted teachers was narrowed down to
ten finalists by a Prize Committee. The winner was chosen from
this ten by the Global Teacher Prize Academy. All ten
finalists were invited to Dubai for the award ceremony at the
Global Education and Skills Forum (GESF), where the winner was
announced live on stage in a red carpet gala event.

For further information visit www.globalteacherprize.org

Tanzanian startup ‘Ubongo’
wins the Next Billion EdTech
Prize 2019
Tanzanian startup Ubongo, which creates localised and multi-
platform educational media that reaches millions of families
through accessible technologies, has won the ‘Next Billion’
Edtech Prize 2019. Launched by The Varkey Foundation to
recognise the most innovative technology destined to have a
radical impact on education in low income and emerging world
countries, the ‘Next Billion’ Edtech Prize is held at the
Global Education & Skills Forum.

Ubongo was voted for by delegates at The Global Education &
Skills Forum from three startup finalists which include
PraxiLabs,andDost. All three winners will be awarded $25,000.

30 startups were selected to pitch for the ‘Next Billion’
Edtech Prize, which focuses on low income and emerging
economies. The winners were chosen from six finalists which
included FinEazy, Signa, and Sabaq. Led by TechCrunch Editor-
at-Large Mike Butcher, the expert panel of judges was made up
of venture capitalists, philanthropic investors, experts in
Edtech and learning sciences, and senior education policy
makers.

Mike Butcher said: “It was clear to the judges that emerging
market Edtech is going to be one of the hottest tech sectors
in the world over the next few years. The majority of the
startups we saw during the competition clearly have enormous
potential, it’s clear the new wave of Edtech is about to hit
its stride. It’s fantastic that GESF is throwing the spotlight

on this exciting sector.”

The jury selected the three winners from six finalists who
pitched on the main GESF stage on Sunday morning. The audience
voted on who should lift the trophy.

Ubongo
Ubongo leverages the power of entertainment, the reach of mass
media, and the connectivity of mobile devices, to deliver
effective, localized learning to African families at low cost
and massive scale. Its family-friendly content promotes
literacy and education in resource-poor areas. Through
learning at home and in the family through a variety of
channels, from online to radio and TV – multi-channel players,
cartoons are a central part of its story telling approach.

Location: Tanzania

Ubongo Chief Executive Nisha Ligon said: “We’re delighted to
have won the Next Billion Prize. We’re already having an
impact reaching children but this award will mean we can do so
much more. By 2022 we plan to reach 30 million children in
Africa and our ultimate goal is to reach 440 million – every
child in Africa.”

Dost
Dost empowers parents of any literacy level to take charge of
their child’s early education, creating short, friendly audio
content that is sent to parents via their mobile phones. Dost
software, audio content, and toolkits make it easy, fun and
addictive for parents to boost their child’s early
development, so low-income families need no longer send their
children to primary school behind and without a chance to
catch up.

Location: India

Dost CEO Sneha Sheth said: “It’s really exciting to bring Dost
to the global stage at GESF, it motivates us even more to keep
working on our mission to help parents to unlock their child’s
full potential.”

Praxi Labs
Praxi Labs provides virtual laboratories for schools and
learning organizations in the Middle East and beyond. With 3D
simulations of major experiments in biology, chemistry and
physics, students can access these from their devices at any
time. Additional multimedia files help students perform their
scientific experiments and the whole process can be integrated
within existing learning management systems of schools or
education providers, giving learners worldwide tools to
experiment and learn science.

Location: Egypt

PraxiLabs Founder Khadija Elbedweihy said: “We are thrilled to
be one of the top three winners for this prize, this is a
priceless opportunity for us to help build awareness of our
mission of providing the world with more scientists.”

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About the Next Billion EdTech Prize
This prize identifies, spotlights and celebrates the world’s
leading EdTech startups that have shown through ingenuity and
innovation that they can improve learning in parts of the
world where there is limited access to good quality teaching.

According to UNESCO, 264 million children do not have access
to schooling, while at least 600 million more are “in school
but not learning”. These are children who are not achieving
even basic skills in maths and reading, which the World Bank
calls a “learning crisis”.

Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Varkey Foundation and the Next
Billion Prize said,

“Over a billion young people – a number growing every day –
are being denied what should be the birthright of every single
child in the 21st century, no matter where they live: a good
education that allows them to make the most of their God-given
talents.

“We use the ‘Next Billion Prize’ to highlight technology’s
potential to tackle the problems that have proven too
difficult for successive generations of politicians to solve.
Our fervent hope is that the prize inspires practical and
persistent entrepreneurs the world over to come forward with
fresh tech ideas. These ideas must be hardy enough to improve
education in regions where young people are denied access to a
good quality teacher and a great learning environment”.

The ‘Next Billion’ Edtech Prize, which comes five years after
the Varkey Foundation founded the US $1 million Global Teacher
Prize, was awarded for the first time at the Global Education
and Skills Forum (GESF) 2018. The GESF brings together over
2000 delegates from around the world to solve the big
questions in global education.

Sunny Varkey added:

“The EdTech prize joins some of most important players from
the spheres of education and technology together. Startups
will have access to every type of stakeholder – from Silicon
Valley venture capitalists to former and current education
ministers, foundations, academics and the world’s best
teachers. They can draw on their expertise and support to
build products that will work as well in the classroom as they
do in a pitch”.

About The Varkey Foundation
The Varkey Foundation believes every child deserves a vibrant,
stimulating learning environment that awakens and supports
their full potential. The foundation believes nothing is more
important to achieving this than the passion and quality of
teachers. It supports global teaching capacity and seed
excellence and innovation in the next generation of educators.
It also founded the Global Teacher Prize to identify and
celebrate the incredible work teachers do all over the world.

For further details visit www.varkeyfoundation.org

Varkey   Foundation:  ‘The
Assembly, A Global Teacher
Prize Concert
For the first time, The Varkey Foundation hosted ‘The
Assembly: A Global Teacher Prize Concert’ as a joyful ‘thank
you’ to teachers on Saturday 23 March 2019. The event
celebrated the unsung work that teachers all around the world
do every day with a stellar lineup of acts including Liam
Payne, Rita Ora and Little Mix. The Top 10 Global Teacher

Prize finalists were joined on stage by actor Hugh Jackman and
American singer, songwriter, and pianist Lauren. Allred who
made her Billboard debut with “Never Enough” from the
soundtrack to the musical, ‘The Greatest Showman’.

Now in its seventh year, the Global Education & Skills Forum
(GESF 2019) is also hosting the Next Billion Prize, which
recognizes leading edtech startups making an impact on
education in low income and emerging economies, as well as the
first Philanthropy Summit, attended by over 64 grant making
foundations from around the world. The three-day event
includes a welcome reception; the new Global Teacher Prize
concert and features as the climax the award ceremony of the
US $1 million Global Teacher Prize 2019 on Sunday 24th March
2019.

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About The Varkey Foundation

The Varkey Foundation believes every child deserves a vibrant,
stimulating learning environment that awakens and supports
their full potential. We believe nothing is more important to
achieving this than the passion and quality of teachers. We
founded the Global Teacher Prize to shine a spotlight on the
incredible work teachers do all over the world and we continue
to play a leading role in influencing education debates on the
status of teachers around the world. For further information,
visit www.varkeyfoundation.org

For further information about the Global Education & Skills
Forum visit: https://educationandskillsforum.org and for
further information on the Global Teacher Prize visit:
www.globalteacherprize.org

Global Education & Skills
Forum 2019 opens with a plea
by Rohingyas
The seventh annual Global Education & Skills Forum 2019 opened
on 23rd March at The Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, UAE, with an
emotional plea by Rohingyas to support the education of
refugee children, whose only hope for the future rests on it.
Addressing the audience, Ahmed Ullah, organiser of peace
rallies and co-writer of ‘I Am Rohingya’ and Zainab Arkani,
who runs the world’s first Rohingya school in Canada, said
ensuring the education of the children is the only way forward
to rebuild their lives.

Held under the theme of ‘Who is changing the world?’, the
Global Education & Skills Forum (GESF 2019), a Varkey
Foundation initiative, brings together more than 2,200
delegates from 144 countries, who will discuss pressing
challenges in the education sector – as well as in society –
through 124 sessions. Seven former heads of state and 40
ministers of education attended the Forum, joined by a new
generation of change-makers, including grassroots activists,
philanthropists, tech developers and many more, who are
shaping the world with new voices, new ideas and new
technologies.

‘Who is changing the world?’
The first session was opened by 10-year-old Internet
sensation, vlogger and presenter Braydon Bent, who set the
tone for the day’s events by noting how education and the role
of the younger generation has changed along with that of the

world’s rapid pace of change. Pointing out the 360-degree
wraparound screen in the venue, one of the largest ever used
in the Middle East, Braydon said that technologies are
advancing at the speed of light, and education had to follow
suit or get left behind.

Next to take the stage were Mark Pollock, a visually and
physically challenged athlete and explorer and the first blind
man to race to the South Pole; Mina Guli, an entrepreneur and
adventure committed to global water saving efforts; and
Kennedy Odede, a former slum child who is one of Africa’s
best-known social entrepreneurs today. The trio spoke about
the importance of realistic optimism and the power of the
individual in solving collective issues.

“No education system can outperform the quality of
its teachers”
Vikas Pota, Chairman of the Varkey Foundation, addressed the
global learning crisis in the light of the recent terrorist
incidents and natural disasters. With disruption happening in
every field, governments need to go down to the grassroots and
change the education system and get every child into schools,
he noted. “No education system can outperform the quality of
its teachers. Improving learning outcomes is the most
important thing we will do, and we can only do that by
changing teacher status.”

Tariq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares, spoke about instilling a
voice and sense of purpose in students around the world,
citing the example of Swedish student Greta Thunberg, whose
strike against climate change outside her country’s parliament
mobilised thousands globally to follow her actions. With 10
million entering the job market year, education being offered
today must change to keep up with evolving jobs and
industries. In line with UAE Vision 2021, our education must
ensure that the youth have what it takes to be the change,
shoulder more responsibility an innovate more.

Underlining the need to promote the status of teachers in
society and to put at the heart of the dialogue in education,
Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Varkey Foundation and the Global
Education & Skills Forum, said that “respecting teachers is
not only an important moral duty – it’s essential for positive
education outcomes.”

He said: “The status of teachers in society is directly
related to the results of students in their classrooms. Today,
education is at a crossroads; it has been tossed in the air
and we don’t know where the pieces will fall. There is,
however, one thing we can be confident about: education will
change more in the next fifty years than it has in the last
thousand, and in the next fifty years, it will change in ways
that will influence the next thousand.”

Re-imagine education
Highlighting the need to re-imagine education, Sunny Varkey
said: “New jobs will require creativity, problem-solving,
negotiation and emotional intelligence. Giving every child a
great education is now an urgent need – and there is not a
moment to lose.

“We need a great education that teaches young people how to
sift truth from hype, and the difference between a balanced
argument and a cynical outburst on social media. We need a
great education that teaches young people how seeing the world
from another point of view is a strength…. not a weakness and
shouting people down is a weakness….not a strength.”

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EdTech has not yet delivered its great potential
Sunny Varkey said that EdTech has promised much but not yet
delivered its great potential – more so because teachers are
never invited to be part of the EdTech discussion. “If we get
this right, we can give teachers the data that shows where a
child needs more help; we can free teachers from the burden of
bureaucracy; we can give teachers the chance to learn from
each other wherever they are in the world; and we can let

teachers get on with the work that no robot will ever be able
to do.”

Rohingya speakers Ahmed Ullah and Zainab Arkani, narrated
their backstories of struggle and despair. An emotionally
charged Ullah, who spent the first 15 years of his life in a
camp, before making his way to Canada, recounted his
experience of being physically kicked out of school, when he
was a child. He said: “We don’t want anything from you – but
education for our children; if not, another generation of
Rohingyas will be lost.

Arkani experienced systemic discrimination as a student in
Myanmar but went on to complete her undergraduate studies and
helped rescued stranded Rohingya at the Thailand-Myanmar
border. Today, the Canadian citizen continues doing advocacy
and community work for her community. She said: “We have
enough sympathy, empathy and donations. What we need is
education and vocational training for Rohingya children. Help
us in our efforts to raise the first educated generation from
an illiterate people.”

Asif Saleh, Senior Director – Strategy, Communications &
Empowerment, BRAC, the NGO, said Bangladesh opened doors to
over 700,000 Rohingya refugees and provided emergency support.
“The greatest challenge now is to ensure children have access
to education and skills training or risk losing out a large
generation of people.” He said that donor fatigue is setting
in with only about 40 per cent of the current year’s need of
over US$600 million met. “We need to have a mid-term solution
– and that is skills building and creating livelihood
opportunities to create self-sufficiency.”

About The Varkey Foundation
The Varkey Foundation believes every child deserves a vibrant,
stimulating learning environment that awakens and supports
their full potential. We believe nothing is more important to

achieving this than the passion and quality of teachers. We
founded the Global Teacher Prize to shine a spotlight on the
incredible work teachers do all over the world and we continue
to play a leading role in influencing education debates on the
status of teachers around the world. For further information
visit https://www.varkeyfoundation.org

For further information about the Global Education & Skills
Forum visit: https://educationandskillsforum.org and for
further information on the Global Teacher Prize visit:
http://www.globalteacherprize.org

Sigma    wins    Healthcare
category   at   the   Asian
Business Awards 2019
Sigma Pharmaceuticals won the Healthcare Business Award at the
19th annual Asian Business Awards, which honours outstanding
business leaders in the UK, on Friday 22nd March 2019 at
London’s Westminster Park Plaza. Established in 1982 Bharat
and Manish Shah, Sigma’s dedication to healthcare has elevated
the company to where it is now. The company has committed
itself to a continuous customer care and service development
strategy that has never wavered in over 35 years of serving
the Independent Pharmacy sector. On collecting the award, a
representative from Sigma Pharmaceuticals said: “As a family,
we are collectively very honoured to receive this award
because it pays tribute to the two generations coming together
and forging a bright future.”

The event, which celebrates Asian entrepreneurs and
businesses, which have led their respective industries and

made a significant impact, welcomed Chief Guest, The
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Phillip Hammond MP. During a
keynote speech, Mr Hammond said: “Energy, ingenuity and hard
work are the founding values of the British entrepreneurial
spirit. They are the very same values that have driven the
self-starters and business leaders at the Asian Business
Awards to succeed. The Asian community has played an enormous
role in Britain’s success and I am honoured to have been
invited to the Awards to celebrate the power of business and
enterprise.”

The Asian Business Awards were hosted by BBC Radio Five Live
presenter Nihal Arthanayake and once again launched the year’s
Asian Rich List, a compilation of the 101 wealthiest Asians in
Britain, highlighting exceptional entrepreneurial achievement
over the last 12 months. The Asian Rich List is the definitive
and most authoritative guide to Asian wealth in Britain and a
window to the substantial economic achievements of a
community.

The night saw a double triumph for the pioneering Hinduja
family, who topped the Asian Rich List for the 6th consecutive
year and also picked up the Philanthropy Award for their long-
standing charitable endeavours with the Hinduja Foundation.
The foundation, which was started in 1969 and celebrates it’s
milestone 50th year this year, works in a wide range of areas
such as education, healthcare, promotion of arts and culture,
sports and social welfare.

Kalpesh Solanki, Group Managing Editor of AMG, commented: “In
the last 19 years, The Asian Business Awards has become the
most important celebration of Asian business success in the
country. Over the years, we’ve been recognising the most
dynamic and innovative businesses and entrepreneurs in the
country and this year we have once again recognised those who
have made the greatest impact through business.”

Asian Business Awards 2019 winners
Restaurant Business Award: Winner – The Cinnamon Club
Franchise Business Award: Winner – Amsric
Care Home Operator of the Year: Winner – CHD Living
Businesswoman of the Year Award: Winner – Mala Agarwal,
Managing Director, Athena Care Homes
Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Winner- Dr Nikhil Shah,
Director, London Town Group
Healthcare Business Award: Winner – Sigma Pharmaceuticals
Entrepreneur of the Year: Winner – Rishi Khosla, CEO & Co-
Founder, Oaknorth Bank
Business Personality of the Year: Winner – Kailesh Suri,
Founder, Reel Cinemas
Philanthropy Award: Winner – Hinduja Foundation
Asian Business of the Year: Winner- CareTech

About The Asian Media Group
With a 50-year heritage, The Asian Media Group (AMG),
publishes a stable of market leading magazines for the Asian
community in the UK and USA. The company hosts a number of
hugely successful events and award dinners affiliated with its
magazines. AMG is Britain’s biggest Asian publishing house and
its titles includes Eastern Eye newspaper, Garavi Gujarat
newsweekly, Asian Trader, Pharmacy Business, Asian
Hospitality, the Asian Rich List, the Asian Rich List Midlands
and the GG2 Power List.

Landmark India-UK healthcare

conference held in Birmingham
Over 120 key healthcare experts from India and UK, converged
at the renowned ‘Queen Elizabeth Hospital’ in Birmingham on
22nd March 2019, to discuss the potential areas of mutual
collaboration. Chairing the day-long Conference, Rt Hon Jacqui
Smith, Chair UHB Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust welcomed
delegates at one of UK’s largest hospital, setting the tone of
the conference by emphasising how the partnership between the
two countries can be mutually beneficial. High Commissioner of
India to the UK, H.E Ruchi Ghanashyam assured the conference
that both Governments are committed to support healthcare
collaboration, and stressed that India and UK need to work
together to address current challenges in this sector. She
elaborated that India has been able to provide world class
medical treatments at the most competitive rates.

Rr, Indu Bhushan, CEO of National Health Authority of India
focussed on the ‘Ayushman Bharat’-the world’s largest
government funded healthcare insurance scheme which will
benefit over half a billion people. He explained how it’s a
game-changer, and how these revolutionary changes in the
healthcare landscape of India offer opportunities for
international healthcare organisations both in the public and
private sector. Dr. D. S. Rana, Chairman, Sir Ganga Ram
Hospital, New Delhi, highlighted the fact that the 98 years
old institution, also happens to be the largest medical
teaching facility of its kind in the country, in the private
sector. He further stressed that his institution was keen to
partner with its British counterparts to address the challenge
of shortage of skilled manpower in both countries.

Mayor Andy Street, Mayor of West Midlands, Ms. Neena Gill,
Member of European Parliament, Ms. Preet Kaur Gill, Member of
Parliament promised the much needed political support to the
partnership of NHS with other health systems of the world,
including with India. They were unanimous in suggesting that

NHS’s partnership with its Indian counterparts will be
mutually beneficial.

Other notable dignitaries who spoke on the occasion were Mr.
Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Principal Secretary to Government of
Telangana, India who also co-chaired the session on Pharma and
MedTech along with Mr Madhukar Bose, Deputy Head of
Healthcare, British Department of International Trade. This
session focussed on the opportunities for British companies to
invest in India, and take advantage of the healthcare
revolution in the country where the size of the Healthcare
industry is exected to grow to USD 280 Billion by 2020.

Dr. Shashi Baliyan, Managing Director, Clearmedi Healthcare
shared the story of his several ventures in India, which are
importing European business models to upgrade the quality of
healthcare delivery in India. Other speakers of the day
included Mr. Chris Loughran, Deputy Chair, Greater Birmingham
& Solihull LEP, Ms. Julia Ross, CEO for BNSSG Clinical
Commissioning Group, Prof. Kiran Patel, Medical director, NHS
England – West Midlands, Prof. Philip Baker, Dean of Medicine,
University of Leicester and Ms. Lakshmi Kaul, Confederation of
Indian Industry (CII). Dr. Ajay Rajan Gupta shared the
progress made by IUIH which is the single largest project of
its kind envisaging the setting up of 11 greenfield hospital
facilities in India in partnership with NHS.

The Conference was organised by the High Commission of India
through the Consulate General of India in Birmingham, and was
supported by University Hospitals Birmingham, NHS Foundation
Trust, Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise
Partnership (GBSLEP) and Confederation of Indian Industry
(CII).

Dr. Aman Puri, Consul General of India, Birmingham in his
closing remarks announced that this Conference is likely to
become an annual feature. The conference succeeded in bringing
together domain experts from both countries to discuss the

challenges faced and opportunities available for both India
and UK in the healthcare sector. At the same time it attained
its objectives of providing a forum to widen and enrich the
healthcare research and innovation debate, addressing
workforce challenges and holding meaningful discussions on the
scale of exchange, current approach and possible solutions in
this arena at a time when the Healthcare sector of both
countries is at an inflection point.

Birmingham    to   become   a
leading centre for Pakistan &
Bangladeshi arts
Transforming Narratives, a ground-breaking three-year project
that will establish Birmingham as a leading international
centre for contemporary Pakistan and Bangladeshi arts was
launched on Thursday 21 March 2019 at an event at Birmingham
Repertory Theatre hosted by BBC Asian Network’s Nadia Ali and
attended by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Yvonne
Mosquito, Mr Ahmar Ismail, Consulate General Pakistan and Mr
Muhammed Nazmul Hoqu, Assistant High Commissioner Bangladesh.
Managed by Culture Central it is supported by Arts Council
England and delivered in association with The British Council.

Delivered by 12 diverse Birmingham-based cultural
organisations Transforming Narratives links Birmingham with
major cities in Pakistan and Bangladesh and will lead to new
artistic works, a cultural leadership programme, new
audiences, creative exchange and dialogue as well as artistic
archiving.

Partners include: Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG);

Birmingham Museums Trust (BMT); Birmingham Repertory Theatre;
Fierce Festival; Ikon Gallery; Kalaboration; Legacy West
Midlands; Midlands Arts Centre; South Asian Diaspora Arts
Archive (SADAA); Sampad; Sonia Sabri Company and Soul City
Arts / Mohammed Ali.

One of the biggest British Council projects in a UK city,
organisations from Birmingham are travelling to Pakistan and
Bangladesh to meet with artists there, to share learning and
start to develop artistic projects which will take place
during the life of the project. For the launch weekend, the
Birmingham team were joined by arts leaders from Bangladesh
who are in Birmingham to experience the city’s cultural offer.

The   project   launched   with   two   collaborative   events   at
Birmingham Repertory Theatre signalling the start of the
artistic programme. Sigh of the Musaafir, a cutting-edge
international collaboration featuring artists from Pakistan
and Birmingham, took place on Saturday 23 March led by
Artistic Director Mukhtar Dar. Bangladesh to Birmingham took
place on Sunday 24 March at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and
was an immersive dining experience that invites guests to
experiences the sounds, sights and flavours of Bangladesh as
they enjoy an authentic three-course Bangladeshi            meal,
prepared by award-winning chef Munayam Khan. G

Sophina Jagot, Transforming Narratives Project Manager said:
“It is fantastic that we are able to launch Transforming
Narratives here in Birmingham, for decades people have left
their homes to forge a new life in Birmingham, but their
stories have rarely been told. Working with partners here in
the City as well as in the cities of Bangladesh and Pakistan
we are uncovering these stories and look forward to sharing
them.

“This project is a real opportunity for us to establish
Birmingham as the leader in contemporary Pakistan and

Bangladeshi arts both in terms of the artistic programme we
will develop but through working with communities,
stakeholders and artists to develop skills and encourage
debate and knowledge sharing. I hope you will join us on this
journey.”

Suhaee Abro performs an excerpt from Sigh of the Musaafir as
part of the Transforming Narratives launch. Pic by Jas Sansi.

About Transforming Narratives
Transforming Narratives is a project to establish Birmingham
as a global centre for contemporary arts from Pakistan and
Bangladesh taking place from 2018 – 2021.The project brings
together artists and cultural organisations from across
artforms, who are located in Birmingham and cities in Pakistan
and Bangladesh. Transforming Narratives allows for new ideas
and artistic practices to be shared, leading to the creation
of new work that will give previously unheard voices an

international platform.

Transforming Narratives is managed by Culture Central, and
delivered in partnership with The British Council and 12
Birmingham-based cultural partners. Transforming Narratives is
funded by Arts Council England’s Ambition for Excellence
programme with support from the British Council.

Birmingham-based cultural partners include:

     Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG)
     Birmingham Museums Trust (BMT)
     Birmingham Repertory Theatre
     Fierce Festival
     Ikon Gallery
     Kalaboration
     Legacy West Midlands
     Midlands Arts Centre
     South Asian Diaspora Arts Archive (SADAA)
     Sampad
     Sonia Sabri Company
     Soul City Arts / Mohammed Ali

Find out more about Transforming       Narratives   online   at
www.transformingnarratives.com

Citizens    Foundation                                  UK
musical    fundraiser                                  for
children in Pakistan
Friends of The Citizens Foundation (UK) came together to host
a musical evening on 16th March 2019 at the Hilton Paddington,

London, to raise funds to educate and empower over a 1,000
children in Pakistan. TV presenter Hajra Lalljee opened the
evening, followed by a presentation by The Citizens Foundation
(UK) Executive Vice President, Zia Akhter Abbas, and a
performance by the renowned Ghazal singer, Ahmed Akhlaq. The
event was attended by 185 guests from the banking, law,
medical and other distinguished backgrounds and professions.

His Excellency, the Pakistan High Commissioner to UK, was also
present to give his support. “This is an initiative that is
run by the people of Pakistan with their own resources, to
provide education to communities where children would
otherwise not be able to access schooling,” the High
Commissioner said.

The Citizens Foundation’s (TCF) goal is to educate and empower
2 million children and women by 2030. “TCF does change lives
and build communities. We know families whose children have
gone through the TCF education system and are now able to live
a better life.” TV Presenter Hajra Lalljee and one of TCF’s
long-time supporter said. Aside from providing modern and life
changing education to underprivileged children, TCF is also
partnering with the Pakistani government. “Our goal is to work
with the government to improve the quality of education on a
national level,” Zia Akhter Abbas said.

TCF’s long term goal is to empower 2 million children and
women by 2030. This event was a part of TCF efforts to
galvanise support across the UK and raise the funds and
resources it needs to meet this goal.

« ‹ 1 of 9   ›   »

About The Citizens Foundation (UK)
The Citizens Foundation (UK) is the UK fundraising arm for The
Citizens Foundation (TCF), Pakistan’s leading education

charity for underprivileged children. Established in 1995, the
primary goal of TCF has been to take children off the streets
and into classrooms, providing them with a quality education
at a fraction of the cost of other private schools.

The Economist has called TCF “perhaps the largest network of
independently run schools in the world. Currently, TCF
professionally runs and manages 1,482 schools providing modern
and life changing education to 220,000 children, 50% of which
are girls. TCF schools are run by an all-female faculty of
12,000 teachers, making TCF the largest employer of women in
Pakistan.

Beyond its core programme, TCF also runs vocational training
for women, an Alumni Development Programme to enable TCF
students pursue university education and an adult literacy
programme (Aagahi). Nearly 75,000 women have gained functional
literacy skills through Aagahi.

Credits:

Event by TCF London
Sponsored by Habib Bank Limited
Musician: Akhlaq Ahmed
Catering: Spice Village
Production by: Paragon
Photography: Shahid Malik

Birmingham students campaign
for more Asian stem cell

donors
Student volunteers at 3 Birmingham universities, will launch a
campaign to recruit hundreds of potential stem cell donors to
the Anthony Nolan stem cell register on 18th March 2019. The
week-long ‘Birmingham City’ campaign is being spearheaded by
‘Marrow’, blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan’s student
volunteer network, which operates in 55 universities across
the country.

Birmingham has a diverse population and, because of this, the
Birmingham City campaign will seek to highlight and celebrate
the diversity of Birmingham, by having a particular focus on
recruiting people from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME)
backgrounds. It’s more difficult for patients from BAME
backgrounds to find a donor with a matching tissue type. Only
60% of transplant recipients receive the best match, and this
drops dramatically to around 20%, for patients from black,
Asian or ethnic minority backgrounds. Students in Birmingham
want to do everything they can to change this.

Shaswath Ganapathi, is a 3rd year medical student at
Birmingham University and is a Birmingham Marrow committee
member. He decided to volunteer with Marrow after his friend,
Rohan, sadly died from leukaemia last year. Shaswath and the
other committee members hold events across the university,
where they encourage students to sign up to the Anthony Nolan
stem cell register, any of whom could go on to donate their
stem cells in the future.Shaswath said: ‘The donors I have
spoken to have said that it’s the most life changing thing
they have ever done, and they would never have thought that
spending a few minutes signing up at a stand and doing a quick
cheek swab could lead to potentially saving someone’s life.’

Stem cell donors recruited by Marrow, account for over a
quarter of all people who go on to donate, meaning the student
volunteers are a vital part of the work of Anthony Nolan. This

academic year, Marrow is also celebrating 20 years of students
saving lives and the 130,000 potential lifesavers they have
recruited to the Anthony Nolan stem cell register since 1998.

Samrick Bahia, 25, was diagnosed with leukaemia when he was 19
years old and spent three months at Queen Elizabeth Hospital
in Birmingham. He has been told that if his cancer returns, a
stem cell transplant will be the only option.

Samrick said: ‘Even now I’m scared of getting cancer again,
I’m sacred of it coming back.

‘My doctor told me that the chance of people from Asian
backgrounds finding the best possible match is significantly
reduced. It was such a shock to hear that we have a much lower
chance.’

Samrick is now passionate about raising awareness of the
Anthony Nolan register, especially within Asian community.

‘Signing up to the register is so simple. If you are chosen to
donate, it’s not going to affect your life, but it could save
someone else’s.’

Shreena Chavda, signed up to the Anthony Nolan register when
she saw a Marrow stand at her university fresher’s fair. She
was called up to donate last year. Shreena said “Coming from
an ethnic minority background, I instantly knew that I had
been called up to donate because there was no one else, as I
know men are more likely to be chosen. ‘After I donated I felt
so happy and energetic, that I had done something to actually
help someone. It’s the least painful but one of the most
joyful things I have ever done, there is no other feeling in
the world. If you might be able to give someone a new life,
it’s amazing, why wouldn’t you want to experience that.”

Aisling Cohn, Youth Programmes Senior Manager at Anthony Nolan
said: “Our Birmingham Marrow volunteers really are heroes,
helping Anthony Nolan give hope to patients with blood cancer

by signing up thousands of potential donors

‘It is also so important to address the need for more people
from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds on the stem
cell register, so that we are able to find a match for every
person in need of a transplant, regardless of their ethnicity.
Our Birmingham City campaign provides the perfect opportunity
to register a large number of potential donors, from a mix of
backgrounds, heritages and communities.”

About Marrow
Marrow, formed in 1998, is a UK wide student volunteering
network in over 50 universities which supports blood cancer
charity Anthony Nolan. Marrow has recruited over 100,000
potential donors onto the Anthony Nolan bone marrow register
since 1998. To date, of those recruited, over 1000 people have
gone on to donate. That’s over 1000 lives potentially saved.

What is a stem cell transplant?
If a patient has a condition that affects their bone marrow or
blood, then a stem cell transplant may be their best chance of
survival. Doctors will give new, healthy stem cells to the
patient via their bloodstream, where they begin to grow and
create healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and
platelets.

Key statistics
     About 2,000 people in the UK need a stem cell transplant
     from a stranger every year
     90% of donors donate through PBSC (peripheral blood stem
     cell collection). This is a simple, outpatient procedure
     similar to giving blood
     We need more young men to sign up, as they are most
     likely to be chosen to donate but make up just 18% of
     the register
     We need more people from Black, Asian and minority

ethnic (BAME) backgrounds to sign up. Only 60% of
     transplant recipients receive the best match. This drops
     dramatically to around 20% (one in five of transplant
     recipients) if you’re from a Black, Asian or ethnic
     minority background.
     It costs £40 to add each new donor to the register so we
     always need financial support
     To join the Anthony Nolan register, you must be 16-30
     and healthy. Anthony Nolan’s world-leading Research
     Institute has shown younger donors offer better survival
     rates for patients.

About Anthony Nolan
Anthony Nolan saves the lives of people with blood cancer. The
charity uses its register to match potential stem cell donors
to blood cancer and blood disorder patients in need of stem
cell transplants. It also carries out pioneering research to
increase stem cell transplant success, and supports patients
through their transplant journeys. Every day Anthony Nolan
gives three people a second chance at life. Anyone aged 16-30
and in relatively good health can join the Anthony Nolan
register. To find out more about Anthony Nolan visit
www.anthonynolan.org

Penny Appeal secures up to £2
million UK Aid Match funding
Humanitarian charity Penny Appeal has secured UK Aid Match
funding for its new Fragile Lives appeal to support some of
the most vulnerable mothers and babies in Pakistan and Kenya.
UK Aid Match is a grant from the government whereby every
donation is matched pound for pound, up to £2 million. For

Penny Appeal, this means every donation for the upcoming
Fragile Lives appeal will be doubled, up to £2 million, until
9th June 2019.

Public donations will be supporting a life-saving appeal in
Pakistan, providing essential medical care, maternal
healthcare and nutrition services for pregnant and lactating
women, and babies and small children. Donations will help
support over 200,000 vulnerable mothers and babies living in
rural Sindh, Pakistan. Match-funding from the UK government
will be contributing to a similar project in rural Wajir in
Kenya, supporting over 400,000 people access better medical
services, maternal healthcare, child nutrition and screening
services.

In Pakistan, almost 1 in every 10 babies born die before their
first birthday, and 14,000 Pakistani women die during
childbirth every year. In Kenya, over 1 in every 20 children
die before they turn 5 years old. Kenya also has one of the
worst Maternal Mortality Rates in the world. Many of these
deaths are preventable with the help of good education,
medicine and support.

Sitara Begum, a young woman from rural Tharparkar in Sindh is
testament to why such a project is necessary and life-changing
in the region. Since Sitara lives in such a remote area, it’s
almost impossible for her to get to a hospital as there are no
medical facilities nearby. She has had to give birth in
dangerous and unsanitary conditions at home.

Sanitation is one of the most important factors in keeping
mums and babies safe – the Fragile Lives Home Delivery Kits
include vital basic equipment, fresh towels, female sanitation
items, and baby wraps. This would dramatically reduce the risk
of poor sanitation. Both of Sitara’s births have been
premature, and without any medical facilities, her babies have
just not been able to survive.

Through the Fragile Lives Centres, Sitara would be able to
receive quality medical care with specialists on hand to help
nurse premature and fragile babies back to health. The hope is
that Sitara will never has to go through the heartbreak of
losing a baby again.

Aamer Naeem, Penny Appeal CEO says: “We are delighted to be
launching such a powerful and impactful programme that will
provide long-term, life-changing support to communities in
Pakistan and Kenya. We are overjoyed to be working closely
with the UK government to facilitate real and positive change
for mothers and babies, which will help determine the strength
and success of future generations. With UK Aid Match, our
donor’s support will be making double the impact.”

International Development Secretary, Penny Mordaunt MP says:
“This is a great example of the sort of development approach
that changes lives for the better. It is very important to
work closely with local and national governments across the
globe to enhance capacity and skills, as well as reaching out
deep inside communities to make lasting change. Supporting
mothers and babies will     affect   entire   communities   for
generations to come.”

Project Activities for the Fragile Lives Appeal

     Training 120 health workers on maternal, newborn and
     nutrition services
     Health Worker Supervision – On the job training
     Outreach Activities – 2 integrated outreach activities
     per sub-county per month
     Improved access to technology
     Establishment of health centres where pregnant women and
     mothers can receive quality medical care with
     specialists on hand to help nurse premature and fragile
     babies back to health.
     Over 600,000 potential beneficiaries across both
     projects in Pakistan and Kenya

About Penny Appeal
Penny Appeal, the award winning international humanitarian
charity, was set up in 2009 by entrepreneur Adeem Younis, to
provide a range of life-saving solutions in over 30-crisis hit
countries. As one of the fastest growing charities in the
sector, Penny Appeal has transformed countless number of lives
and empowered communities around the globe, helping to break
the poverty cycle through their simple vision; taking your
small change and making a big difference. Penny Appeal is a
twice Guinness-World-Record holder and works closely with
leading celebrities and globally renowned institutions in the
UK and beyond in the fight against poverty.

Click here to donate to the Penny Appeal Fragile Lives
campaign.

Mrs   Kapoor’s    Daughter’s
Wedding, UK Tour: 16th Mar –
27th May 2019
Bollywood-inspired, British Asian stage spectacle ‘Mrs
Kapoor’s Daughter’s Wedding’ is to tour the UK from 16th March
until 27th May 2019. The audience is invited into a typical
Asian household as it prepares for a wedding in the family,
with all the Bollywood trimmings. Mrs Kapoor’s Daughter’s
Wedding unites on onstage YouTube sensation Parle Patel; West
End singer Shahid Abbas Khan; and singer Drupti Vaja. A laugh
out loud, comedy-dance production, it follows the life of Mrs
Kapoor, played by Parle Patel, who is mother to five
daughters, one of whom is getting married.

The production is packed with cultural reference points and
nuances, bursting with colour, energy and live comedy sketches
that will resonate with audiences of all ages. Bollywood
dancing that showcases the craft of AK Bollywood dancers is
harmonised with live singing, a fashion show and Rhythm ‘n’
Bass dhol players to create a stage extravaganza unique to the
UK stage.

Mrs Kapoor’s Daughter’s Wedding is written, directed and
choreographed by Archana Kumar, Winner, UK Battle of
Bollywood; and Founder, AK Productions and AK Bollywood Dance.
The production is a collaboration between AK Productions and
AK Bollywood Dance that will tour a team of 35 dancers,
actors, singers, dhol (drum) players and production staff. The
dancers originate from the London-based AK Bollywood Dance
group that have featured in Bollywood productions such as the
2018 film release Namastey England as well as at major events
in and around the Capital such as Diwali on the Square, held
by the Mayor of London in London’s Trafalgar Square.

Mrs Kapoor’s Daughter’s Wedding UK Tour
16th & 17th March; 21st April 2019
Beck Theatre,
Hayes, Middlesex
https://becktheatre.org.uk
Box Office 020 8561 8371

6th April 2019
The Woodville Theatre
Gravesend, Kent
https://woodville.tickets.red61.com
Box Office: 08442 439 480

20th April 2019
Watford Colosseum
https://watfordcolosseum.co.uk
Box Office: 01923 571 102

5th & 6th May 2019
Leicester Haymarket Theatre
Leicester
https://www.haytheatre.com
Box Office: 0116 296 1236

27th May 2019
Alexandra Theatre,
Birmingham
https://www.atgtickets.com
Box Office: 0844 871 3011

Ticket Purchase via: www.mkdw.co.uk

UK   Asian   Film   Festival
programme schedule 24th Mar –
4th May 2019
The world’s longest running South Asian film festival outside
of India, UK Asian Film Festival, has announced its full
programme for 2019 with a feminist-focused schedule
celebrating 21 Years with ‘Revolution’ Theme. The festival
will run in five cities across the UK, Edinburgh, Glasgow,
Leicester, London and Manchester, from 27th March – 4th May
2019 and is supported by the BFI with National Lottery funding
and Regional Screen Scotland.

At a time of significant change, UK Asian Film Festival marks
its 21st anniversary with a curation inspired by the theme of
Revolution. Historically known as Tongues on Fire and then
London Asian Film Festival, the festival is also synonymous
with championing South Asian feminist films and supporting

pioneering, female artists and auteurs. Honouring Revolution
through the vehicle of South Asian Cinema, UK Asian Film
Festival looks at the #MeToo movement gathering momentum in
the Indian and Pakistani film industries and the
decriminalisation of homosexuality and the repeal of Section
377 in India last year. UK Asian Film Festival will celebrate
pioneering icons from South Asian cinema and present a series
of milestone films that signify society-led change.

In Conversation with Zeenat Aman
The Opening Gala Launch on Wednesday 27th March, The May Fair
Hotel, London will feature an In Conversation with Zeenat
Aman, one of the most revolutionary actresses in the history
of Indian cinema. Game-changer, beauty queen and reigning star
of the 1970s and 1980s, Aman will share her extraordinary
journey in Indian cinema. She redefined the archetypal heroine
in Indian cinema in an era when they played secondary
characters, largely obedient wives and lovers that elevated
and served to affirm the male lead onscreen. Drawn to more
unconventional roles, she was credited with making a lasting
impact on the image of leading actresses by introducing a bold
and modern look to Hindi cinema. From the disenchanted, pot-
smoking hippie in Hare Rama Hare Krishnaand the opportunist
who leaves her unemployed lover for a millionaire in Roti,
Kapda Aur Makaanto the girl who falls in love with her
mother’s one-time lover in Prem Shastra, the disfigured temple
singer yearning for love in Satyam Shivam Sundaramand a woman
married to a caustic cripple but involved in an extramarital
relationship in Dhund, Aman wasan inspiration for so many
other heroines, forging her own identity by championing
distinguished roles. Equally, her conventional films like
Chori Mera Kaam, Dostana, Lawaaris and Qurbani are considered
to be landmarks in Indian cinema.

Kaifinama
The World Premiere of the documentary film Kaifinama will be