Cultural/International exchange

Pakistani Educational and Leadership Institute (PELI) at Plymouth State University (PSU)

Lead Evaluator(s): Judah Leblang
Associates: Samara Hoyer-Winfield
Partners: ITA (Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi, the cooperating agency in Pakistan)
Funder: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Years: 2003-present

Abstract:

The Pakistani Educational and Leadership Institute is funded through a grant provided by the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, to Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. The project has been funded annually since the 2003-04 school year. A total of approximately 100 individuals have completed the institute over the past five years.

Each year the focus of the institute changes, to meet participants' needs. The 2008 institute focused on the areas of cultural heritage preservation and environmental stewardship.

The institute is designed to:

• Contribute to the development of the Pakistani educational system (with a primary emphasis on government-run schools), by exposing teacher-trainers, educational administrators and other leaders to new educational methods and ideas. 
• The institute also encourages cross-cultural communication and understanding by bringing Pakistanis and Americans together, or as stated in project documents: "to promote goodwill and understanding between the two countries."

Data collection methods included:

• Interviews with attendees of the PELI institute
• Interviews with the program coordinator at ITA
• Ongoing discussions with the PI/program director at PSU
• Interviews with faculty and staff members
• Examine the PELI blog, surveys and other project artifacts
• Observations of several sessions of the institute

Reports: 2008-2009 PELI Evaluation Report
Website: http://pelinstitute.org/