Post on 23-Jan-2015
description
Academic Outreach & Engagement The Case of SDPI
Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad March 2014
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Outline
Think tanks in Pakistan
Think tank – University Collaboration• SDPI MoUs with
Universities
Regional Initiatives
Faculty Development
Student Engagement
Work close to both government and community
Gaps between government and
community
Specific issue depending upon
political economy
Produce evidence-based
research
Official data
Researcher’s own data
Evaluation of program
implementation
Communicating evidence
Policy advocacy
Branding of policy issues
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How think tanks work?
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Think Tanks in Pakistan
How they are different from universities?
3 core activities of think tanks
Elevator pitch
Build government’s
capacity
Pull and push
strategies for reforms
Demand and supply
for research
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Helping the Government
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Think – Tank University Collaboration
• HEC Framework
• Working on geographical niche– UAF – SDPI on agriculture trade with India– IMSciences – SDPI on business in conflict areas
• Collaboration venues– Implementing sustainable development (AAWAZ Programme)
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Regional InitiativesTrack-II diplomacy: Making Pakistan Regionally Relevant
South Asia Economic Summit
Sri Lanka: Institute of
Policy Studies
Bangladesh: Center for
Policy Dialogue
India: Research
and Information
Systems
Nepal: South Asia Watch on Trade,
Economics & Environment
Afghanistan: Afghanistan
Research Evaluation
Unit
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South Asian Davos
• South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA)
• Regional trade agreements
• Transit trade agreements
• Energy corridor negotiations
• SAARC Food Bank
• Indo-Pak Water Dialogue
Regional policy research and
advocacy initiatives
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Faculty Development
Sabbatical arrangements at SDPI with linkages at:
Planning Commission
Ministry of Commerce
Ministry of
Finance
Ministry of Water and
Power
Ministry of Food
Security and Research
Ministry of Climate Change
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Visiting Fellowship
University-led
sessions
University of Zurich
South Asia University
United Nations
University
Boston University
London School of
Economics
University of Laval
Theme: Pathways to Sustainable Development
• Key partners: HEC, UN, World Bank, ADB, IDRC, UK DFID, USAID, Chambers of Commerce, Media
• Dates: 9-11th December 2014• Venue: SDPI, Islamabad• Hosted 3200 guests at 16th SDC.
Attended by President of Pakistan and 7 Federal Ministers 13
17th Sustainable Development Conference
University – Think tanks
Joint Proposals
IDRC Canada
ESRC UK
Academy of Sciences
China
US State Department
SAARC Human
Resource Development
Centre
Sustainable Development
Solutions Network
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Joint “Policy” Research
Center for Capacity Building
NGOs
Policy research & advocacy
Universities
Executive trainings for university support staff
Chambers of Commerce
University – industry nexus
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“Niche” Capacity Development
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For the Students…
• Summer Camp Initiative– Research – Communications
• SDPI-IDRC Fellowships
• Placements and Job Fairs
• Taught courses via Web-ex
• Engagement via social media– Students respond more to twitter and facebook
You have strong urge to remain policy-relevant
You wish to work closely with both government and
communities
At the end of the day you wish to preserve your
identity as an academic
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Why work for a think tank?
• Why policy makers do not act? – Rent seeking– Fear of losing votes– Lack of demand for reforms
• How to convince policy makers?– Social accountability– Working with civil servants (Finding Champions)
• Branding the problem– Allows politicians to take credit
• Partners in reform– Media (social media?)– Local community– Business Community
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Value of Academic Advice