OPEN Alumni Conference – 2024
OPEN Alumni Conference 2024
The Regional English Language Office (RELO) at the U.S. Embassy Islamabad, in collaboration with Evolution, is pleased to announce the OPEN Pakistan Alumni Conference 2024 from July 01-05, 2024 to be held in-person in Islamabad. The OPEN Alumni Conference 2024 aims to bring together 50 OPEN alumni who belong to the dynamic and ever growing OPEN community to gather on one platform and discuss the utmost important trends in the field of English language education.
These trainings provide 50 OPEN Alumni opportunities to learn new skills and to evaluate strategies for advancing English language education for the future through the effective integration of artificial intelligence (AI), innovative pedagogical methods, critical thinking and social-emotional learning (SEL) in English language curriculum. Applications are opened only to OPEN Global Online Course/RELO tailored Course alumni, to give them an opportunity to learn from American professionals. The conference caters to basic, intermediate and advanced levels teachers or educators.
Applicant requirements are listed in the call for applications below.
Objectives
- AI powered tools and technologies
- Ethical consideration and challenges in AI integration
- Integration of digital tools in English language classrooms
- Flipped classroom model and blended learning approach
- Project based learning
- Approaches to develop critical thinking among the students
- Authentic materials and real-world contexts to promote critical thinking
- SEL frameworks and practices for promoting emotional intelligence in language learners
- Integration of empathy and cultural awareness through language education
- Diversity and Inclusion in classrooms
Call For Applications:
The Regional English Language Office (RELO) at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad invites OPEN alumni from across Pakistan to submit applications for attending the OPEN Alumni Conference 2024. The conference is scheduled to be held in Islamabad from July 1st to 5th.
The theme of this five-day residential conference is “English Language Education for the Future”, focusing on integrating AI, innovative pedagogical methods, critical thinking, and social-emotional learning.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The call for applications is open exclusively to OPEN Pakistan alumni who have successfully completed Global Online Courses (GOCs) or RELO Tailored Course.
- Applicants must be able to travel and attend the five-day residential Alumni Conference from July 1st to 5th, 2024.
(The two-way travel cost, Air tickets and commute of participants from their city of residence to Islamabad will be covered. This also includes accommodation and meals). - Candidates should have contributed to and engaged with their community after completing the OPEN Global Online Course/RELO Tailored Course.
- Willingness to benefit the English language teaching community after attending the conference is essential.
- Applicants with prior experience in MOOCs, AE Live Series, Cascading Knowledge Projects, or OPEN Ambassadorship are encouraged to apply.
The deadline to submit applications is Thursday, May 30, 2024.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
The call for application is open to OPEN Pakistan alumni who have completed OPEN Global Online Course or RELO Tailored Courses funded by the Regional English Language Office (RELO Pakistan) at the U.S Embassy Islamabad. Female Alumni from underserved communities of Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan, Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Kashmir are highly encouraged to apply.
The conference is sponsored by the Regional English Language Office (RELO) at the U.S. Embassy Islamabad. The Conference aims to address the new trends in constantly evolving field of English language education. This conference will allow our alumni to explore new teaching approaches, integration of cutting edge technology and introduction of diverse perspectives to ensure that the field of English language teaching and learning stay relevant, and progress successfully.
The conference is scheduled for July 1-5, 2024, and will be held in Islamabad. Interested Alumni from all cities/areas of Pakistan can apply. The two-way travel cost, Air tickets and commute of participants from their city of residence to Islamabad will be covered. This also includes accommodation and meals.
The conference will feature over 30 presentations/workshops/sessions delivered by American Specialists and OPEN Alumni. Each day, Alumni will have the opportunity to network, experience cultural evenings, participate in games and fun activities, alongside engaging in learning session
All OPEN Alumni, including English language professionals from all regions of Pakistan, who are currently in-service teachers, administrators, principals, curriculum developers, university professors, and lecturers, are eligible to apply. Only 50 Alumni will be shortlisted to attend the conference.
All interested alumni are requested to fill out the application form provided below. The OPEN Team will shortlist 50 finalists. Applicant selection will primarily be based on your Statement of Purpose (SOP), which should demonstrate your community engagements, knowledge cascading projects, and contributions towards strengthening the English language community as an OPEN Alumni. The stronger your SOP, the stronger your application!
No, all finalists will receive a confirmation email from the OPEN Team and are required to confirm their participation with mandatory documents within the specified deadline.
Yes, alumni who wish to present can indicate their interest in the application form; however, it is not mandatory. Please review the theme and sub-theme before proposing a session or workshop. The OPEN Team will conduct a pre-conference demo on Zoom.
The conference spans five days in Islamabad. All selected participants are expected to attend the entire conference. Leaving early or missing sessions is discouraged as it may disrupt the learning experience and networking opportunities for both the participant and other attendees.
Please note that any act of miscommunication or miscommitment will be dealt with strictly. Additionally, participants with serious ongoing illnesses are requested not to apply. Failure to show up after being selected may result in a ban from future OPEN Program opportunities.
According to the program policy:
- Only 50 selected participants will be traveling to Islamabad, either by air or road, as per the instructions and travel schedule provided by the conference team. Access to the event will not be granted to outsiders.
- Attendees are strictly prohibited from bringing family members, friends, siblings, or children to the event.
- Unauthorized individuals accompanying attendees may result in the revocation of the invitation.
- The conference management will not provide accommodation, meals, or travel reimbursement for anyone accompanying the conference participants.
