On October 22-23, in the premises of the Science and Research “Ibn Sina” Institute in Sarajevo, a seminar was held entitled: “Covid-19 – Impact on Contemporary Literature, Philosophy and Education”.
The participants were students of the English Language and Literature Department from the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo, under the supervision of Professor Shahab Yar Khan. Other participants at the seminar were also Simon Ryle, Belma Dilberović and Professor Murat Oner.
Besides the aforementioned professors and lectures, Anis Krivić, the former Minister of Education in CS, also participated at the symposium.
It should also be noted that the entire symposium was held in English.
As the very title of the symposium implies, the coronavirus influenced all spheres of human existence, including education, literature and culture.
Everyone was affected by it.
From old people to younger generation.
For a short period it created an upheaval in the world.
While welcoming the guests, Mr Zabihi, the Vice Director of the “Ibn Sina” Institute spoke at the opening ceremony: “All scientific, cultural and research activities within the last two years have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, and the “Ibn Sina” Institute is no exception to this rule”.
Firstly, Anis Krivić, addressed the attendees.
“Since during the pandemic he was at the position of the CS Minister of Education, it was his responsibility to adequately fight the danger imposed on children’s education.
Corona was taking many lives.
The society all around the globe, including our own country was particularly worried.
The classes could not be held at school in a traditional way.
We had to find a way to secure children’s education.
We could not allow for education to stop, because in that case pupils would lose a year and they would not be able to enrol their first year of secondary schooling. Thus, we would have one empty year in high schools” Mr Krivić, the former Minister, explained.
During his speech, Mr Krivić spoke about the work of the Ministry within the timeframe of the pandemic.
Namely, they arranged for everything necessary to be prepared during online lectures.
In other words, they formed the online platform for attending classes, posting teaching materials, but also for the education of teachers in regard to their own teaching methodology.
“However, some of the students did not have enough funds to attend online classes, that is, they had no funds to obtain computers, laptops and tablets, so the Sarajevo Canton government ensured that the necessary equipment is purchased, therefore all students could regularly attend class activities”, Mr Krivić added.
Following the Minister’s speech, the attendees were addressed by Professor Shahab Yar Khan, PhD. He explained the importance of the role of teachers, professors, lecturers and of educators in general.
“Corona taught us that there are good and bad teachers”, Professor Khan said.
“Teachers are some of the most important individuals in the lives of children and young people, therefore it is particularly important how they collaborate together.
Corona showed us that many teachers and professors show great profession and love towards their vocation because they placed their entire effort to hold their lessons in the best manner possible, through innovative and fun activities, and to help the students in their development; they tried to understand the students and to be there for the pupils.
That certainly provided good results”.
Later, he reflected on the global effect of the corona pandemic which affected other spheres of human lives.
“We have Afghanistan where you had only a few cases of corona and you have Europe which was suffocating in catastrophes, how is that possible?
How is it possible that people die at one end of the world, whereas on the other side they do not?
For the first time in history, this sickness heavily struck America and not the Third-World Countries.
Until now, it has been in the reversed fashion.
Why has that happened?
You see, the culture of crowd-gathering was attacked, attacks occurred on hypermarkets which can be found in a large number all around Europe, places of mingling like cafes, discotheques, etc. while in Afghanistan for example people purchase at local markets.
There are no such places for shopping, hypermarkets, bars, etc.”, Professor Khan said.
Belma Dilberović, a primary school teacher at Meša Selimović Elementary School, agreed with Professor Khan’s lecture and views.
She gave praise for he colleagues’ work and their battle for young people.
She expressed her worries about the psychological element of developing children during the pandemic, because children would endure much without even knowing why.
“How one can explain to a child that he/she cannot hug his/her friends? How to tell them that they have to keep distance and wear masks during the entirety of the lectures?” she said.
Therefore, she showed the attendees the modus through which she was able to work with her students.
She tried to keep the children entertained during her lectures so she asked them to record some of the activities, such as preparing their favourite foods in the easiest way possible and to share that with the rest of the class. Or to send video messages to their friends through which they would be able to express their wishes or affection.
At the finishing ceremony, held during the second day of the event, Mohammad Hussein Abbasi, the director of the “Ibn Sina” Institute during his brief speech, and while giving thanks to the professors and students who participated, expressed the readiness of the Institute to continue their scientific and research collaboration.
During the symposium, and alongside their professors, different students also participated and introduced their own presentations through which they analysed certain topics regarding Covid-19.
After the symposium, the students were given their certificates and to mutual satisfaction, from both the side of the participants and the “Ibn Sina” employees, the symposium was very successful. It passed in good spirits and in socialisation of young people, opening up opportunities for future collaborations.
