FRUGAL INNOVATION FORUM
The fifth year of the forum will explore educational innovations in the global south and connect non-profit innovators, social entrepreneurs and emerging leaders to catalyse lasting change with limited resources.
Theme: Scaling Quality Education
Date: November 9-11, 2017
Location: BRAC CDM, Savar, Dhaka
Registration Fee:
International: USD 200
National: BDT 6,000
The fee is highly subsidised and covers food, accommodation, field visit and access to all sessions
Deadline: October 26, 2017
This year, the forum is focusing on financial, social, pedagogical and technological innovations in education under the following themes:
• Quality education: Setting up the horizon
• Co-creation: Collaborating for scale
• The future: What’s next in education
The global south has an innate predisposition to what we call a jugaad, or ‘frugal innovation’ approach. A unique type of creation has always existed that lends itself to scale and adaption, and large-scale change. The idea for the forum was to create a platform to amplify what is already happening across the region, by bringing innovators together to learn, share and scale up low-cost models.
BRAC is the #1 ranked non-government development organisation in the world, and widely known as a leader in scaling up low-cost innovations to reach millions of people.
This year, one of the frugal innovation models showcased during the forum will be BRAC’s education programme, the largest secular private education system in the world. Born in Bangladesh and now operating in eight countries across Asia and Africa, it has allowed a whole generation – 12 million children – to grow up with opportunities they would never have otherwise had.
• By practitioners for practitioners
• Field exposure and hands-on learning with an emphasis on co-creation
• Hosted by the world’s #1 ranked non-government development organisation
Agenda
Scaling Quality Education
Start for Field visit
- Team 1: Savar
- Team 2: Gazipur
- Team 3: Dhaka
Inauguration
Inauguration: Advocate Mostafizur Rahman, MP, Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, People's Republic of Bangladesh
Welcome message by Mr. Asif Saleh, Senior Director Strategy, Communication and Empowerment, BRAC and BRAC International
Plenary: Shifting sands in global education across the world
How has the journey been from ‘access to quality’?
This session will be an in depth conversation on the various perceptions in defining, perceiving, planning and implementing quality education for all. We will focus on the lessons learned to understand if quality is possible, when access is still a challenge.
Moderator
- Asif Saleh, Senior Director, Strategy, Communications and Empowerment, BRAC and BRAC International
Speakers:
- Dr Safiqul Islam, Director, Education Programme, BRAC
- Ian Attfield, Senior Education Adviser, DFID Education Policy Team
- Fathima Dada, Global Managing Director: English and Schools, Pearson
Parallel sessions
The tech-over: rewiring the education system
Is technology and quality synonymous?
This session will highlight tech-based models that have worked in diverse contexts. The presentations will provide an understanding of these models and their potential for large-scale adaptation.
Moderator
- Dr Mohamed Foysol Chowdhury, Director of Innovations, BRAC
Speakers
- Henry Warren, Education Technology Lead, Aga Khan Education Service
- Aakash Sethi, Executive Director, Quality Education & Skills Training (QUEST) Alliance
- Korvi Rakshand, Founder, JAAGO Foundation
- Pranav Kothari, Vice President, Large Scale Assessments and Mindspark Centres, Educational Initiatives
Rethinking assessments: Approaches to measuring student progress
Can quality be defined by any set measurement?
This session will explore the successful models that have worked in different contexts, emphasising the lessons learned and challenges faced in scaling.
Speakers:
- Ranajit Bhattacharyya, General Manager and Head of Communications, ASER Centre
- Owen Henkel, Director, Pearson Affordable Learning Fund
- Vyjayanthi Sankar, Founder & Executive Director at Centre for Science of Student Learning
- Michael Stark, Chief Officer, Educators International
Parallel sessions
Minding the skill gap: Linking education to employability
Is education generating sustainable income opportunities for those who need it the most?
This session will address how education can teach and instill the right skill sets that unleash potential.
Moderator
- Shakil Ahmed, Associate Director of Alumni Impact, Teach for Bangladesh
Speakers:
- Anjana Mangalagiri, Senior Fellow, Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi
- James Centenera, CEO and Cofounder, The Ultimate Learning Accelerator (TULA)
- Ejaj Ahmed, President, Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC)
Workshop: ECD and Play as we believe
Can toys be teachers?
This session will be an interactive workshop that will illustrate how play can inspire learning. Participants will engage in joyful learning models, exploring how spaces can be designed frugally.
Moderator:
- Dr Fahmida Tofail, Scientist, ICDDR,B
Speakers:
- Salimah Kassam, CEO, Aga Khan Foundation
- Dr Erum Mariam, Director of BRAC Institute of Education and Development- BRAC University
- Syeda Sazia Zaman, Senior Research Fellow, BIED
- Dr Nishat Fatima Rahman, Assistant Professor, BIED
- Syeda Fareha Shaheeda Islam, Senior Lecturer, BIED
- Md. Jabadul Hoque, Deputy Manager, ECD, BIED
- Md. Fuad Abdul Quaium, Architect, Managing and Founding Partner, GHORAMI.JON
Beyond the ordinary: 4 innovative models in education
Novelties for the new age?
This session will present promising innovations in education through inspiring stories of achievements in frugal education that can be scaled up.
Speakers:
- Anustup Nayak, Vice-president, XSEED Education
- Waliullah Bhuiyan, Founder and CEO, Light of Hope
- Pavitra Gautam, Co-Founder and CEO, Karkhana
- Marcus Veerman, Founder and CEO, Playground Ideas
Parallel sessions
Exploring pedagogy: The quality imperative
Is there one method to learning?
This session will examine successful models and opportunities for partnerships in Bangladesh to scale the best pedagogical innovations.
Moderator:
- Dr Safiqul Islam, Director, Education Programme, BRAC
Speakers:
- Fahmida Shabnam, Education Adviser, DFID Bangladesh
- Dr Manzoor Ahmed, Professor Emeritus, BRAC Institute of Educational Development
- Professor Salma Akhter, Honorary Professor, Institute of Education and Research, University of Dhaka
Administrators and academics: Lessons from the roots
The private school perspective?
This session will engage private school operators in an interactive conversation about the challenges, scopes of partnership and lessons learned.
Moderator:
- Maimuna Ahmed, Founder and CEO, Teach For Bangladesh
Speakers:
- Madiha Murshed, Managing Director, Scholastica Limited
- Faisal Kader Country Manager and CEO, Aga Khan Education Service, Bangladesh
- Sabrina Shaheed, Principal, Sir John Wilson School
Plenary: Public private partnership in education - Lessons learnt from the region
Are hybrid partnerships the way forward?
This session will be a policy level discussion. It will provide insight on partnerships between the private and public sector of education and how they can make quality affordable and scalable.
Moderator
- Aashti Zaidi Hai, Director, Global Schools Forum
Speakers:
- Lee Crawfurd, Head of Research and Evaluation, Ark Education Partnerships Group
- Md. Afzal Hossain Sarwar, Policy Specialist, Educational Innovation, a2i
- Shweta Anand Arora, Director, The Education Alliance
Plenary: Of funding and financing: The impact of investment
Banking on your buck: which investment will create the best opportunities?
This session will be a discussion on how quality can be affordable through innovative financing.
Moderator
- KAM Morshed, Director, Advocacy, Technology and Partnership, BRAC
Speakers:
- Natalia Gavrilita, Investment Partner, Global Innovation Fund
- Sally-Anne Vincent, Deputy Head of Mission, Australian High Commission
- Rasheda K. Chowdhury, Executive Director, Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE)
Debate
Student led debate: "This house would not go to school”
A stakeholder’s stance?
This session will be a debate between students from various institutions. They will discuss their thoughts and experiences on the education that is shaping them.
Moderator:
- Tanjilut Tasnuba, Senior Manager, BRAC Education Programme
Government:
- Irhum Shafkat, Rajuk Uttara Model College
- Syed Anhar Morshed Joana, Shaheed Bir Uttam Lt. Anwar Girls’ College
- Samin Rahman, Manarat Dhaka International College
Opposition:
- Lamia Nur Rahman, European Standard School
- Syeda Tahiyat Ahmed, Shaheed Bir Utam Lt. Anwar Girls’ College
- Elham Ali, Manarat Dhaka International College
Practitioner’s debate: Governments should prioritise skills over higher education
Knowledge or knowing it all?
This session will be a debate between practitioners on how much of the focus should be on practical skills or education.
Moderator:
- Dr Syed Saad Andaleeb, Vice Chancellor, BRAC University
Speakers:
- James Centenera, Co-founder and CEO, The Ultimate Learning Accelerator, Philippines
- Dr Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice Chancellor, Primeasia University
- Farzana Kashfi, Head of Programme, BRAC Skills Development Programme
Parallel sessions
The displaced demographic: Classrooms for every child
The certainty of education in uncertain conditions?
This session will discuss how education must go beyond lessons and cater to the unique needs of communities that have been displaced.
Moderator:
- Annette D'Oyly, Innovation Adviser, DFID
Speakers:
- Jacqueline Strecker, Learn Lab Manager, UNHCR
- Abdul Moktader, Project Director, Save the Children Bangladesh
- Mohammad Mohsin, ECD Specialist, UNICEF Bangladesh
Decentralisation and devolution of education: Promising practices on school management from South Asian region
Education for everyone?
This session will be a discussion on how education can be decentralise in order to provide quality at every stage and level. It will also highlight the best practices and lessons learned from the region.
Moderator:
- Dr Manzoor Ahmed, Professor Emeritus, BRAC Institute of Educational Development
Speakers:
- Dr Urvashi Sahni, Founder and Chief Executive, Study Hall Educational Foundation
- Ekta Sodha, CEO,f Sodha Schools, Vice President of National Independent Schools Alliance
Parallel sessions
Beyond the ordinary: 4 innovative models in education
Novelties for the new age?
This session will present promising innovations in education through inspiring stories of achievements in frugal education that can be scaled up.
Speakers:
- Arvind Gupta, toy inventor and popularizer of science
- Shams Jaber, Founder, The Tech Academy
- Stacey Brewer, Co-founder and CEO, SPARK Schools
- Shankar Maruwada, Co-Founder and CEO, EkStep Foundation
Workshop: Connecting classrooms with communities
What makes education meaningful?
This session will be an interactive workshop for educator, entrepreneurs and practitioners inspiring and enabling them to collaborate with social experts.
Speakers:
- Sarah Harkin, TedEd Innovative Educator, Social Innovation Coordinator, ISD
- Rakhi Sarkar, Country Director, Room to Read
Future of education
The way forward?
This session will discuss the future prospects of education, establishing the priorities for the world of tomorrow, challenges ahead and education for betterment.
Moderator
- Dr Muhammad Musa, Executive Director, BRAC
Speakers:
- Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG, Founder and Chairperson, BRAC
- Dr James Tooley, Professor of Education Policy, University of Newcastle
- Anir Chowdhury, Policy Adviser, Access to Information Programme, Prime Minister’s Office
Closing remarks
Speakers
INSPIRATION
“In the short space of three years, the Frugal Innovation Forum has established itself as a major fixture in the world of development. Bringing together leading practitioners from the NGO, corporate and entrepreneurial sectors along with academics and policy makers, the forum has proven an excellent platform for debate and the sharing of best practice. More importantly, it has created a global network of people and organisations who are working tirelessly to make the world a better place by doing more (and better) with less in South Asia and beyond.”
Strategic partners
Knowledge partner
Associate partner
Location
- BCDM, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- frugalinnovation@brac.net
- +880 2 9881265 (Ext- 3768)
- 8:30 – 17:00 (GMT+6)
