Introduction:

Dr. Ahsan Bashir has enjoyed a riveting academic career spanning several decades. He served as the Chairperson of the English Department at the University of Education, Lahore, Pakistan from 2017- 2021. He has also worked as the Director of the Student Counselling Center at the University of Education for a period of three years. He is currently serving as an Associate Professor at the Department of English at the Lower Mall Campus. Dr. Bashir holds a Postdoctoral fellowship in English from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, United States. He completed his Ph.D. from the Islamia University of Bahawalpur and his doctoral research revolved around exploring the Role of Neuro-linguistic Programming and Nonverbal Language in the Process of Communication. 

Dr. Ahsan also has to his credit a Post Graduate Diploma in Media Technology for TESOL from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Some additional professional accomplishments of Dr. Bashir include a Certificate in Teacher Training from the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, and Training on ‘Course Design’ and ‘Communication and Mission Integrity’ organized by the Center for Teaching Excellence, University of North Carolina, Wilmington, USA. Moreover, Dr. Bashir is also serving as the Project Director for two English Language Programs launched by the US Consulate - the English Works and English Access Micro-Scholarship Program. These programs have so far trained 350 students in English language and employability skills. These programs have been extended to three cities of Punjab now and it is expected that as many as 350 students would pass out this year with excellent command of the English language and other much-needed skills to be successful entrepreneurs and professionals in society.

Dr. Ahsan was the Principal Investigator from Pakistan for an international project titled “Innovating and Designing Engaged Applications in STEM Education (IDEA-STEM)”. The Project was a joint effort in collaboration with the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, USA. This research endeavor was funded by the U.S. State Department in 2018-2019.

 Dr. Ahsan has made commendable contributions in the research realm as well. He recently co-authored a chapter in the book titled, Building STEM Skills Through Environmental Education, and published by IGI Global. He has published articles on a wide range of topics and his work has appeared in several distinguished journals. These journals include but are not limited to: Journal of Research and Reflections in Education, Elementary Education Online, Psychology and Education, Linguistica Antverpiensia, International Review of Social Sciences, Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry, Development and Learning in Organizations: An International Journal.

 In addition to his prolific research output, Dr. Ahsan is immensely proactive and is currently engaged in several academic and administrative ventures. At present, he is serving as a focal person for the following:   Rehnumai Markaz, Punjab Higher Education Commission, Lahore; Lincoln Corner Vehari (sponsored by US Consulate), Lahore; Punjab Small Industries Corporation and the National Freelance Training Programme (NFTP), Punjab Information Technology Board. The NFTP was launched in the Lahore and Multan campuses of the University of Education and so far two batches comprising more than 500 students have been trained on Freelancing in three different domains: Technical, Content Marketing and Advertising, and Creative Design. These courses have enabled students to earn and support themselves and their families in an honorable way.

 Dr. Ahsan has also been involved in teacher training activities and has worked as a Master Trainer for HEC, the US Consulate, the British Council, and the University of Education Lahore. He was also part of the team of trainers who conducted Promotion-Linked Training Workshops for Associate Professors and Assistant Professors of Public Sector Colleges of Punjab.