phd (education) | 2020 page 1 18 · b.ed. elementary /secondary 2 years140 (4 semesters) 72 cr....

PhD (Education) | 2020 of 18


TABLE OF CONTENTS

The University 3

Doctor of Philosophy in Education Programme 5

Admission Criteria 7

HEC Teacher Education Roadmap 8

Admission Process Summary 9

Application for Admission 10

Apply Online 12

Fees and Funding 15

Key Dates for 2020-21 Admissions 17


THE UNIVERSITY

Chartered in 1983, the Aga Khan University (AKU) is an international private

university that currently operates in South and Central Asia, East Africa and the United

Kingdom.

AKU occupies a pivotal place in the Aga Khan Development Network, a group of

development agencies working under the leadership of His Highness the Aga Khan, and

contributes in major ways to social development. AKU prioritises higher education and

research initiatives relevant to the problems of the societies in which it operates,

generally in the developing world.

Through on-going partnerships with prestigious institutions worldwide, AKU brings

international expertise to bear upon the establishment and enhancement of its current

and future programmes and services. With a growing programme offering, in addition to

our existing six campuses spread over three continents, we are planning three new

faculties and seven graduate schools to deliver a range of educational choices in an

environment that respects cultural diversity.

Our merit-based, transparent admissions process and needs-sensitive financial assistance

programme attempts to ensure that a diversity of high calibre students are able to attend

the programmes at AKU.

While we do not discriminate on faith, gender or national origin, we are selective in the

students we accept. Our selection process varies by academic programmes, but one common

criteria includes: fluency in English.

INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PAKISTAN Established in 1993, the Aga Khan University's Institute for Educational Development,

Pakistan is a centre of distinction for:

• developing educators, education managers, researchers, policy makers and

budding entrepreneurs as exemplary leaders to improve the quality and delivery

of education;

• generating knowledge to transform educational practices and policies; and

• implementing innovative and contextually relevant school improvement

programmes in the under-served and hard to access areas

PROGRAMMES

The Institute offers the following programmes for in-service professionals in education:

• PhD in Education

• MPhil in Education

• Master of Education


RESEARCH

Research is intrinsic to IED’s work and its commitment to informing education policies

and practices. It focuses on conducting and disseminating research on critical issues

ranging from the core problems of classroom teaching and school leadership to concerns

related to educational policy.

OUTREACH

The Professional Development Centres (PDCs) in Gilgit, Chitral and Karachi function as

IED’s extended arms. They reach out to under-served areas where teachers have very

limited opportunities to further their education and schools lack the support and

resources to improve their performance. Serving as regional hubs, the PDCs offer

contextually relevant capacity building programmes for educational professionals and

implement innovative school improvement projects.

For more information visit www.aku.edu/iedpk.

http://www.aku.edu/iedpk


PHD IN EDUCATION PROGRAMME Our PhD programme

• is recognised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan.

• is highly selective, critical and rigorous.

• has been designed in collaboration with experts from University of Toronto,

Canada and Oxford University, UK.

• is offered in a vibrant research environment where national and international

scholars share their research findings regularly and interact with students.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND DESIGN

The PhD programme is based on a total of 18 credits of coursework to be covered in the

initial phase of the programme and followed by a period of two years assigned for original

research. Upon completion of the coursework, confirmation for PhD candidacy is based on

passing the comprehensive examination and successful defence of the research proposal.

The timeline and other details of the PhD programme for full-time students is as follows:

Year 1 and Year 2

▪ Compulsory 12-credit Core Courses

▪ 6-credit Electives;

▪ PhD Comprehensive Examination (written + oral);

▪ Preparation of the research proposed and its evaluation by a committee;

▪ Oral presentation of the thesis synopsis and its defence in an open forum;

▪ Confirmation of PhD candidacy based on obtaining a minimum CGPA of 3.0 in the

PhD coursework; passing the comprehensive exam; successful thesis synopsis

defence.

Year 3

▪ Acceptance/publication of at least one research paper in an HEC approved “X” /

“Y” category journal is essential for the award of Ph.D. degree

▪ Thesis writing

▪ Completion of research work and thesis, as per AKU policy.

COURSEWORK

Core courses (3 credit each)

• Quantitative Methods in Educational Research

• Qualitative Methods in Educational Research

• Issues and Challenges of Education & Development

• Studies in Educational Leadership


Elective Courses* (3 credit each)

(Students will have to choose two courses)

• Pedagogical Leadership

• Gender in Education

• Introduction to the Histories and Cultures of Muslim Societies

• Inclusive Education

• Health Promotion in Schools

• Environmental Education

• Policy Studies for Education

• Early Childhood Education and Development

• Globalization and Educational Change

• Educational Reform in Developing Countries

• Educational Assessment & Measurement

• Cross-cultural Study of Teacher Education

• Curriculum Studies

*Courses will be offered based on the availability of faculty

RESEARCH WORK

The basic research work for the thesis will proceed in parallel with the core and elective

coursework. Hence, at the time of enrolment the student will select a principal thesis

supervisor and formulate a research proposal during year 1/2. When developing the

protocol / proposal, approval from the Ethics Review Committee will be required for

research.

SCHEDULE OF SEMESTERS

The programme will have two regular Semesters/Terms (Spring and Fall), each comprising

of 16 weeks. The regular PhD programme will commence in March 2021.


ADMISSION CRITERIA

Admission in the programmes is based solely on merit and potential commitment to

improve the quality of education. Merit will be evaluated through scholastic

achievements and performance of candidates in the AKU Admission Test. The

commitment of the candidate will be assessed through an interview with a panel of

senior faculty at AKU.

Candidates currently working in the public or private sectors in Pakistan and overseas

may apply.

Eligibility Requirements:

• 18 years of Education (MPhil / MS in Education) with minimum cGPA of 3.0 on 4.0

scale.

• Minimum two years of teaching / research / leadership / educational development

experience.

Additional requirements include:

▪ A minimum of 70% score on the AKU Graduate Admission Test. This test comprises

Subject-specific component and Quantitative Reasoning. The English Language

component tests language competency.

▪ Submitting a completed application form, including three letters of

recommendation, a statement of purpose and brief research proposal (500 words).

IDENTIFICATION OF SUPERVISOR:

Each applicant is expected to identify a potential PhD supervisor from the list of

supervisor for PhD applicants available on the AKU website

www.aku.edu/admissions/phd-education depending on their research interests. Candidates

are encouraged to interact with their potential faculty supervisors to know more about

the relevant research area before entering this information in the application.

http://www.aku.edu/admissions/phd-education


HEC TEACHER EDUCATION

ROADMAP

Associate Degree in

Education *

2 Years

(4 semesters)

68 Cr. Hrs.

M.S / M.Phil. Education

Ph.D.

Education

12 Years Schooling

FA / F.Sc

14 Years Schooling BA

/ B.Sc.

16 Years of schooling

M.A / M.Sc.

B.Ed. Elementary

/Secondary

2 Years

(4 semesters)

72 Cr. Hrs.

B.Ed. Elementary/

B.Ed. Secondary

4 Years

(8 semesters)

140-142 Cr. Hrs.

B.Ed. Secondary

1.5 Years

(3 semesters)

54 Cr. Hrs.

1 Bridging Semester

18 Cr. Hrs.

B.Ed. 2 Years

Elementary

68-72 Cr. Hrs.

* Note: Student may exit after completing ADE program and join again for award of B.Ed program after getting

some experience.

12 Years Schooling

FA / F.Sc


APPLICATION PROCESS SUMMARY

EVALUATION OF CANDIDATES

Candidates are evaluated in stages:

Stage I: Applications are reviewed and candidates are invited to write the AKU

Admission Test.

Stage II: Candidates who are shortlisted based on the Admission Test are invited for

interviews with senior faculty members of the University.

Stage III: Final selection is based on an overall assessment of each candidate’s dossier;

this is formally approved by University’s Admission Review Committee.

ADMISSION TEST

The Admission Test will be conducted on Saturday, September 5, 2020

The Admission Test comprises three components: English Language, Quantitative

Reasoning and a Speciality Specific Exam.

▪ The English Language component evaluates a candidate’s competency in the

English language.

▪ The Quantitative Reasoning component is designed to assess problem solving and

logical thinking ability.

▪ The Speciality Specific Exam will assess basic knowledge related to the specific

speciality.

The programme brochure and sample test paper may be downloaded from our website

www.aku.edu/admissions/phd-education

The University does not provide any special preparation for the Admission Test

nor does it authorise any publication or preparatory classes for this purpose.

SHORT-LISTING AND INTERVIEWS

Candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of the Admission Test. Interviews will be

conducted for shortlisted candidates only. The purpose of the interview is to assess a variety

of attributes, including motivation, maturity, social and cultural awareness, knowledge of

public health issues in developing nations and evidence of interest, and commitment to the

programme.

Interviews will be conducted in Pakistan. For all candidates who reside overseas, interviews

will be conducted on Skype.




VALIDITY OF TEST SCORES

The AKU Admission Test scores are valid for a period of two years from the date the test

is written.

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

Applications for admission will be accepted from March 16, 2020 until June 23, 2020.

Candidates must apply online by logging on to www.aku.edu/apply-online.

In cases where applicants are unable to access our online portal, candidates may request

for a paper based application by e-mailing at [email protected].

Candidates completing the paper-based form are requested to follow the instructions mentioned

on the form for fee payment and submission. Please courier the form at the following address to

reach the Admission Office latest by June 23, 2020. Applications are not accepted over the

counter.

Postal Address;

Admissions Office

Office of the Registrar

Aga Khan University

Institute for Educational Development

IED-PDC 1-5/B-VII, F.B Area, Karimabad

P.O Box 13688, Karachi – 75950

NOTE FOR ALL CANDIDATES

Candidates are requested to ensure they meet application requirements before applying.

These are listed in the programme brochure. Additionally, candidates applying online or

with a paper-based application, are responsible to complete the application requirements

according to the published instructions and time schedule.

Aga Khan University reserves the right to admission; to revoke admission and registration

if an application is discovered to be inaccurate or incomplete, or if supporting documents

are discovered to be fraudulent. Any candidate who presents a fraudulent document in

support of an application for admission may be identified to other universities and colleges.

ADMIT CARD

http://www.aku.edu/apply-online

mailto:[email protected]


The admit card to allow you to write the test will be received by candidates who apply

online on their portal and through an email.

Candidates who submit a paper application will receive their admit card through an email.

In cases where the admit card is not received 15 days before the date of the test; candidates

must email the Admission Office at [email protected] for the required information and

application details.

Please note:

To write the Test, candidates must bring:

▪ A hard copy of the admit card issued by AKU AND

▪ A valid current photo ID card/original CNIC/college ID card/enrolment card for

identification.

Without these documents, AKU reserves the right not to allow you to write the Test.



APPLYING ONLINE


PLEASE SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS WHEN APPLYING ONLINE

Candidates must note that they are required to upload following documents with the

application on the online portal. In case you are submitting a paper-based application, you

are required to submit hardcopy of these documents.

S#. Document File

Size

File

Format

1 Photograph – Coloured and taken one week prior to application; (please refer to

photograph specification section);

2 MB JPEG

2 CNIC / NICOP / relevant pages of the Passport (passport is required for foreign

nationals);

5 MB PDF

3 Curriculum Vitae and list of publications, if any; 5 MB PDF

4 Educational Documents: Attested copies of the following educational documents

must be uploaded individually and sequentially (marks sheet and certificate / degree).

- Secondary School Certificate / O Levels or equivalent

- Higher Secondary School Certificate / A Levels or equivalent

- Undergraduate qualification. degree and mark sheet should have been attested by the

Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC).

- Graduate qualification. degree and mark sheet should have been attested by the Higher

Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC).

- Bachelor of Education (BEd). degree and mark sheet should have been attested by the

Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC).

Note: In case of foreign qualifications, Equivalence letter from HEC must be submitted

with the application stating candidate’s eligibility for a PhD (Education) programme.

5 MB PDF

5 Application Fee:

▪ Applying from AKU residential countries1 is Rs. 6,800/-

▪ Applying from AKU non-residential countries is US $ 350/-

The application fee is non-refundable; candidates must ensure that they are eligible for

the programme before applying. The fee should be paid only through the modes

mentioned in the mode of payment section.

Please upload the receipt or evidence that the payment has been made.

5 MB PDF

6 If applicable:

▪ Transcript / enrolment information of all the courses undertaken or

completed at AKU

▪ Latest mark sheets / progress reports, if currently enrolled in any other

institution

5 MB PDF

7 Attested copies of Work Experience Certificates (for all the experiences mentioned in

the application form)

5 MB PDF

1Afghanistan, Burundi, Kenya, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED SEPARATELY

3 letters of recommendation / references on a prescribed format available at:

www.aku.edu/admissions/phd-education to be sent in sealed envelopes or emailed directly by your

referee to [email protected]. Name of your referees should be provided on the application form.

(This should be from a University teacher and present employer who are familiar with your personal,

academic, and professional background, who understand your educational goals, and who can verify your

potential for higher studies.)




APPLICATION FEE (AS APPLICABLE)

Candidates applying from AKU residential countries*: Rs. 6,800

OR

Candidates applying from AKU non-residential countries: US $ 350

*AKU residential countries: Afghanistan, Burundi, Kenya, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda

MODE OF PAYMENT

Candidates may pay the application fee either through the fee voucher or the AKU online

payment portal. When the fee is paid, please upload the receipt on the online admission

portal.

FEE VOUCHER (FOR PAKISTANI CURRENCY ONLY)

Please follow these steps to pay the application fee through fee voucher:

1. On the application home page, please click on “Fee, photograph and other details”

2. For payment mode, select “Fee Voucher”

3. Click “Yes” to generate the voucher (make sure that your pop ups aren’t blocked)

4. Take the printed voucher to any branch of Habib Bank Ltd (HBL) and pay the fee

5. Upload the paid voucher on “Upload Document Page” by selecting fee payment

PAY ONLINE THROUGH DEBIT/CREDIT CARD (FOR PAKISTANI & US$ CURRENCY)

Please follow these steps to pay application fee online through a debit / credit card:

1. On the application home page, please click on “Fee, photograph and other details”

2. For payment mode, select “Online Payment” and click yes (make sure that your pop ups

aren’t blocked)

3. Complete your payment details on online web portal: https://payonline.aku.edu/

4. Upload the payment acknowledgement email or screenshot on “Upload Document Page”

by selecting fee payment

In case you are unable to receive the payment acknowledgement, please notify the Finance

Office by emailing [email protected]

https://payonline.aku.edu/



PHOTOGRAPH SPECIFICATION

Your photograph is a vital part of your application. Please follow these instructions

carefully. If photographs received do not meet these requirements your application will be

considered incomplete.

• A colour photo is required;

• The background of the photograph should be plain white.

• The photo must measure: width: 1.5 inch, height: 2 inch

• Should have been taken within the last 1 week to reflect your

current appearance.

• The photo should show a clear, front view, full face of the person.

Side or angled views are NOT acceptable.

If your photograph does not reflect your current appearance, even if

it is not older than one week, the university will not allow you to

write the Admission Test.

FEES AND FUNDING Admissions to all the academic programmes at Aga Khan University are based on merit

and are needs blind, i.e. without considering the financial background of the student.

Upon acceptance into one of our academic programmes, students who are unable to pay

for the cost of education at the University, may apply for financial assistance.

The financial information including student’s fee paying status, fee structure for the

2020-2021 session, and financial assistance is available on:

www.aku.edu/admissions/fees-and-funding

STUDENTS ON SPONSORSHIP

Students expecting to receive sponsorships or scholarships from external agencies to

complete the programme are requested to submit the relevant approval letter when

accepting the offer of admission.

For more details, please contact Admission Office, Aga Khan University, Institute for

Educational Development, Karimabad, Karachi 75950, Pakistan. Phone: +92 21 3634

7611-4, Ext: 8633.

CONTESTED DECISIONS

In all matters pertaining to the selection of students, fees, grants, evaluation of scholastic

performance, discipline and student affairs, the decision of the University shall be final.

Appeals in matters of student selection will be considered within 15 days of the

announcement of the new class only if the appeal cites circumstances suggesting that the

University has violated provisions of its Charter or that there has been failure to comply

with the admissions procedure as described in this document.

Sample of Photograph

http://www.aku.edu/admissions/fees-and-funding


ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation for outstation students is arranged in the hostels managed by the

University which are located off campus. These are shared, non-air-conditioned, furnished

accommodation. Hostel space is restricted to students from outside Karachi.

A fee is charged for all accommodation. The charges for hostel accommodation for the

2020-2021 academic year are given separately. Meals may be purchased separately from

the University’s cafeteria.

All students living in the university hostels are expected to conform to rules and

regulations. Residence is conditional upon proper use and care of the property, considerate

behaviour and periodic reappraisal of the student's need for such accommodation.


KEY DATES FOR 2020-21 ADMISSIONS

Last date to receive applications June 23, 2020

Admission Test Saturday, September 5, 2020

Test Centres:

Pakistan:

Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Quetta, Peshawar,

Chitral, Gilgit, Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad,

Multan

International:

Dubai, Kabul, London, Nairobi, Riyadh, Tajikistan,

Tanzania, Uganda, Doha, Iran and Syria

Duration for candidate-faculty

supervisor interaction September – October 2020

Interviews November 2020

Commencement of classes March 2021


DISCLAIMER

This booklet contains information about the programmes offered by Aga Khan

University, Pakistan for the academic year 2020-21. The information provided is subject

to change over time. Candidates aiming to apply for programmes in any other academic

year are requested to get updated information about minimum eligibility requirement,

application and admission process through University Admission Office.

THE AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY

1-5/B-VII Federal B. Area, Karimabad, P.O. Box:

13688, Karachi 75950, Pakistan

T: +92 21 3634 7611-4, Ext: 8633, F: +92 21 36347616

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.aku.edu/iedpk


http://www.aku.edu/iedpk