News

GRACE Public School & Access Centers Mark World Disability Day 2025 with a Renewed Commitment to Inclusion

Skardu, Baltistan – 3 December 2025
GRACE Public School & College (GPSC) and GRACE Access Program Centers across Baltistan commemorated World Disability Day 2025 with coordinated, student-centered events reaffirming their dedication to inclusive, dignified, and rights-based education for children and youth with disabilities.

Activities were held simultaneously at GPSC Skardu and Access Centers in Khaplu and Shigar, bringing together students, teachers, parents, community leaders, and volunteers. The events featured student speeches, storytelling, posters, discussions on disability rights, and reflections promoting empathy and respect for diversity.

Celebrating Ability, Dignity & Diversity

At GRACE Public School, students led an inspiring assembly, sharing poems, reflections, and awareness posters advocating for equal rights and accessible learning spaces.
The Skardu Access Center hosted renowned visually impaired vocalist Abbas Abdal as chief guest, who shared his journey and performed soulful Sufi kalams, inspiring students with his resilience and talent.

Across Khaplu and Shigar Centers, learners engaged in:
• Speeches addressing stereotypes and discrimination
• Poster and slogan-writing on inclusion
• Reading circles featuring stories of change-makers with disabilities
• A tribute sketch by student Ahmad Ruhullah honoring Mr. Khadim Hussain, CEO GRACE Association Pakistan, for promoting inclusive education and youth empowerment despite his own disability

Voices of Courage and Hope

Students shared personal stories, highlighting challenges and aspirations.
Muhammad Abdullah, a young boy with a mobility disability, said, “People should not decide how far I can study. I will continue my education—accessible schools make it possible.”

Teachers emphasized the need for continuous professional development, accessible classrooms, and empathy-driven teaching strategies to ensure all learners thrive.

A Shared Community Responsibility

GRACE coordinators and management stressed that inclusion is a collective duty of families, schools, communities, and policymakers. The GPSC Principal noted, “Every ramp, every accessible lesson, and every child encouraged to speak brings us closer to a Baltistan where no learner is left behind.”

Participants pledged to advocate for inclusive attitudes at home and in community spaces while supporting improved infrastructure and services for people with disabilities.

From Awareness to Year-Round Action

GRACE institutions concluded the day by endorsing a five-point pledge to:

1. Enhancing physical accessibility in schools
2. Strengthening teacher training in inclusive pedagogy
3. Amplifying student leadership for learners with disabilities
4. Engaging parents and communities in dialogue
5. Building partnerships to expand education, skills, and livelihood opportunities for youth with disabilities

Through these commitments, GRACE aims to transform the spirit of World Disability Day into sustained action—creating a Baltistan where every learner, regardless of ability, can grow, succeed, and thrive.

GRACE Organizes 5-Day E-STEAM Teachers Training Workshop in Skardu

Skardu, April 10, 2025 — GRACE Association successfully conducted a five-day E-STEAM Teachers Training Workshop from 6–10 April 2025, empowering more than 30 teachers and school administrators from GRACE Public School & College and the STEM School System Skardu.
INSERT 2 PICTURES

The training focused on strengthening teacher capacity in environmental education, STEM tools, digital literacy, design thinking, and inquiry-based learning. Participants engaged in hands-on activities that encouraged creativity, teamwork, and practical problem-solving—equipping them to design lessons that link classroom learning with real-world challenges.

Promoting Inclusive and Future-Ready Education

GRACE’s E-STEAM initiative emphasizes inclusive learning for girls and marginalized students, ensuring equitable access to quality, future-oriented education. The training aimed to build teachers’ confidence in delivering engaging, project-based lessons while fostering climate awareness and nurturing young innovators.

Leadership Remarks

At the closing ceremony, Khadim Hussain, CEO of GRACE Association, appreciated the commitment of teachers and partner organizations.
He noted, “Through E-STEAM, GRACE is transforming teaching practices and preparing our children—especially girls—to become innovators and responsible future leaders. This training marks a step toward long-term systemic change in our mountain communities.”

About GRACE’s E-STEAM Initiative

The award-winning E-STEAM program integrates entrepreneurship, science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to enhance 21st-century skills, environmental literacy, robotics learning, and project-based education. Supported by global partners, the program continues to expand across schools in Gilgit-Baltistan.

GRACE E-STEAM Expo 2025 Showcases Youth Innovation and Climate Action in Skardu

Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan — 29 September 2025:
GRACE Association Pakistan organized the GRACE E-STEAM Expo 2025 at GRACE Public School & College, Astana, bringing together more than 1,200 students, parents, teachers, community leaders, and partners for a vibrant celebration of youth innovation, climate action, and hands-on learning.

The Expo featured 300+ student-led projects demonstrating how children from grades 1–9 are applying Environment, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (E-STEAM) to address real-world challenges such as climate change, waste management, water conservation, and sustainable livelihoods.

Highlights of the Expo

Students showcased models and prototypes across four major themes:

• Climate & Environment: Eco-systems, glacier models, climate-resilient home designs, and waste management solutions.
• Makerspace & Engineering: Recycled-material bridges, machines, and energy models.
• Digital Futures & Storytelling: Student-produced videos and environmental awareness presentations.
• Girls in E-STEAM: Zero-waste initiatives, kitchen gardening, rainwater harvesting, and social entrepreneurship ideas.

The Expo is part of the internationally recognized GRACE E-STEAM Initiative, supported through the Global E-STEM Innovation Grant by Pratt & Whitney and NAAEE.

Learning Beyond Classrooms

In preparation for the Expo, students conducted field visits, surveys, and project-based learning activities, documenting environmental challenges and designing practical, low-cost solutions. Their reflections, models, and videos were displayed throughout the event.

Leadership Reflections

Khadim Hussain, Founder & CEO of GRACE Association, emphasized:
“This Expo reflects our children’s courage and creativity. Innovation can begin in a small village classroom.”

Principal Mustafa Aqeel added:
“We ensure every child—especially girls and marginalized learners—experiences joyful, meaningful E-STEAM learning connected to real-life futures.”

Teachers as Mentors

Teachers integrated hands-on experiments, teamwork, and reflective learning using low-cost materials. Through portfolios and observation tools, they documented students’ creativity, communication, and environmental responsibility.

Inclusive and Equitable Participation

The Expo prioritized inclusion by:

• Supporting girls to lead climate and sustainability projects
• Providing materials to students from low-income families
• Ensuring accessibility for children with diverse learning needs

Community Engagement

Parents, elders, local leaders, and civil society groups visited the stalls and appreciated students’ confidence and problem-solving skills. GRACE acknowledged the contributions of teachers, parents, volunteers, and partners in strengthening climate-conscious education in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Looking Ahead

Building on this success, GRACE aims to:

• Make the E-STEAM Expo an annual event
• Expand makerspaces and E-STEAM clubs
• Launch student-led green entrepreneurship and digital storytelling labs
• Strengthen documentation and research on E-STEAM’s impact

Principal Aqeel concluded:
“Our dream is that a child from any remote village can become a scientist, environmental leader, or entrepreneur—while staying rooted in their culture and identity.”

GRACE Organizes 5-Day E-STEAM Teachers Training Workshop in Skardu

Skardu, April 10, 2025 — GRACE Association successfully conducted a five-day E-STEAM Teachers Training Workshop from 6–10 April 2025, empowering more than 30 teachers and school administrators from GRACE Public School & College and the STEM School System Skardu.
INSERT 2 PICTURES

The training focused on strengthening teacher capacity in environmental education, STEM tools, digital literacy, design thinking, and inquiry-based learning. Participants engaged in hands-on activities that encouraged creativity, teamwork, and practical problem-solving—equipping them to design lessons that link classroom learning with real-world challenges.

Promoting Inclusive and Future-Ready Education

GRACE’s E-STEAM initiative emphasizes inclusive learning for girls and marginalized students, ensuring equitable access to quality, future-oriented education. The training aimed to build teachers’ confidence in delivering engaging, project-based lessons while fostering climate awareness and nurturing young innovators.

Leadership Remarks

At the closing ceremony, Khadim Hussain, CEO of GRACE Association, appreciated the commitment of teachers and partner organizations.
He noted, “Through E-STEAM, GRACE is transforming teaching practices and preparing our children—especially girls—to become innovators and responsible future leaders. This training marks a step toward long-term systemic change in our mountain communities.”

About GRACE’s E-STEAM Initiative

The award-winning E-STEAM program integrates entrepreneurship, science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to enhance 21st-century skills, environmental literacy, robotics learning, and project-based education. Supported by global partners, the program continues to expand across schools in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Two weeks US/Pakistan: Disability Leadership Exchange Program – Eugene Oregon May 14 – 28, 2013

Khadim Hussain Chief Executive GRACE Association was invited by Mobility International USA to participate in a two weeks US/Pakistan: Disability Leadership Exchange Program to Eugene Oregon during May 14 – 28, 2013.

Mr. Hussain participated in the program with a dynamic group of men and women professionals with and without disabilities from throughout Pakistan. The delegation included twenty professionals working in fields related to policy and legislation, education, employment, health, disaster relief, emergency response, gender inclusion, advocacy, youth leadership and community development.

The program helped improve knowledge and building leadership skills to strengthen organizations working to empower people with disabilities in Pakistan. The opportunities provided were good to develop new ideas and plans to promote inclusion of people with disabilities in civil society and political leadership; and the program definitely promoted mutual understanding and respect between the people of the United States of America and Pakistan. Many American people had a different view before meeting the delegates but after discussion they learned that Pakistanis are same people as others and they have same understanding, respect for others. The delegates also learned about American Disability Act, and implementation of the act in letter and spirits that type of culture and commitment is yet invisible in Pakistan

During the 14-day program, the delegates had opportunities to experience of physical exercise at Gym, biking, enjoyed the visit to Oregon Coast. The delegates met with U.S. professionals with and without disabilities, including disability rights advocates, educators, community service providers, government officials and international development specialists. All of them were eager to share their expertise and experiences with the delegates. All program activities, workshops and site visits were interactive, practical, and “hands-on” with an opportunity for individual participation and group interaction.

Mr. Hussain appreciates the enthusiasm in the service of human beings especially for people with disabilities and professional expertise and commitments in their jobs.

November 2025: Noshin Masud Joins GRACE Association as Head of Partnerships & Communications

GRACE Association Pakistan is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Noshin Masud as the Head of Partnerships & Communications.

With more than 20 years of experience in strategic communications, donor engagement, and development sector leadership, Noshin brings a strong track record of working with national and international organizations, including UNICEF, the World Bank, USAID-funded projects, and leading civil society partners. Her expertise in designing large-scale communication campaigns, building high-impact partnerships, and strengthening organizational visibility will play a key role in advancing GRACE’s mission.

In her new role, Noshin will lead GRACE’s partnerships portfolio, donor outreach, communication strategy, and visibility initiatives — particularly for education, climate resilience, disability inclusion, and women’s empowerment across Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan.

The GRACE team warmly welcomes her on board and looks forward to the experience, creativity, and commitment she brings to our journey of driving sustainable change for marginalized communities.