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Bio
With a passion for education and humanitarian development, Karima Kara has contributed to both Canadian and international development initiatives. These include facilitating intercultural effectiveness workshops, and managing educational programs that promote community self-help, distance education and capacity-building for long-term sustainability.
Karima is presently Education Designer and Facilitator consulting for Graybridge Malkam and the Department of Foreign Affair’s Centre for Intercultural Learning. Karima facilitates workshops in cross-cultural effectiveness for a variety of clients including the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Canadian Forces, Post-Secondary Institutions, Non-Government Organizations and the Private Sector.
Prior to this, Karima managed University and College Programming at World University Service of Canada (WUSC) where she designed, developed and implemented a new Students Without Borders (SWB) international mobility program for Asia, Africa and South America.
Karima was also Education Advisor for the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) where she managed Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC)’s University and College Seminar Series, the International Microfinance and Microenterprise Fellowship (IMM) and the International Development Management (IDM) Program. At the international level, Karima contributed to the education reform process in Badakshan, Tajikistan for over 5 years, promoting intercultural learning, innovative and sustainable programs and solutions that helped build capacity and improve the quality of life of local communities.
Having developed a keen interest in distance education, Karima also managed e-Learning initiatives for the University of Ottawa’s Centre for e-Learning, where she created on-line learning resources, conducted research on integrating culture in teaching, learning and technology and delivered workshops for Faculty on effective online teaching and learning.
Karima is fluently bilingual and she holds a Graduate Diploma in Educational Technology from Concordia University, a Master’s in Education from McGill University and a Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University.
Professional Skills
- Practical and Extensive Experience: In Canada, Africa and Central Asia in managing innovative educational projects that promote effective management, information and knowledge sharing, innovative curriculum development, capacity building, community self-help and long-term sustainability
- Intercultural Effectiveness: Adaptation skills, an attitude of modesty and respect, understanding the concept of culture, knowledge of countries and cultures, relationship building, knowledge of self, intercultural communication, organizational skills, personal and professional commitment
- Professional Skills: Excellent facilitation, interpersonal, analytical and leadership skills
- Centre for Intercultural Learning Certification in Behavior Based Interviewing (BBI)
- Languages: Fluent in English and French with conversational skills in Persian, Hindi/Urdu, Gujerati, and beginner level Spanish
Education
2003–2008 Concordia University
Graduate Diploma in Educational Technology
Part time at Athabasca University
1994–1996McGill University,
Master of Education
1991–1992Queen’s University
Ontario Teaching Certificate, Bachelor of Education
1987–1990University of Guelph
Universite de Nice, France (1989) Study abroad
Bachelor of Arts
International Development / Management and Facilitation Experience
2007 to present
Education Consultant and Facilitator
iExpressions, Ottawa, Ontario
Facilitating Cross-cultural Effectiveness workshops including Pre-departure, Debriefing, On Arrival for Graybridge Malkam, Centre for Intercultural Learning and the Aga Khan Development Network. Programs and clients include:
- Aga Khan Foundation Canada Microfinance and
Microenterprise Fellowship
Aga Khan Foundation Canada’s University and College Seminar Series - Bell Canada for Vancouver 2010 Olympics online course review
- Canadian Forces, Afghanistan
Predeployment Training Across Canada - Canadian Co-operative Association
- Canada World Youth, training and curriculum design
- Canadian Teachers Federation
- Carleton University, School of Journalism and Communication
- CIDA – Afghanistan Task Force
- CIDA – Continuous Learning Section, HRCSB
- Cirque du Soleil - Montreal
- DFAIT – Afghanistan Task Force
- DFAIT - International Busines and Dining Etiquette
- Information and Communication Technology Council
- Marine Institute - Newfoundland and Labrador
- MDS Nordion Inc.
- World University Service of Canada - Uniterra
2005–2007
Coordinator, University and College Programming
World University Service of Canada (WUSC), Ottawa,
Ontario
- Designed and implemented SWB, international mobility program in Asia, Africa and South America and conducted monitoring and evaluation field visit in Botswana and Malawi
- Promoted internationalization on Canadian campuses
- Designed and developed Curriculum Enrichment Program supporting the design and dissemination of case studies for higher education
- Assisted in the organization and identification of keynote speaker and experienced and emerging scholars from Canada and higher education institution in the South for the Annual Assembly
2002
Professional Development Advisor
Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), Tajikistan
- Piloted innovative distance education programs including Mobile Training Resource Centres (MTRC) for knowledge sharing and provided training and resources to educators in isolated communities
- Contributed to curriculum development / instructional design
- Piloted Learning Resource Centres (LRCs)
August 1998–July 1999
Education Officer
Aga Khan Education Services (AKES), Switzerland
Aga Khan Lycee (AKL), Khorog, Tajikistan
- Assisted in the establishment and management of the AKL Learning Centre
- Delivered teacher education workshops
October 1996–July 1998
Education Consultant
Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC)
Khorog State University Continuing Education Program, Khorog, Tajikistan
- Co-founded and managed the program through the creation of fee-generating, self-sustaining programs for the community/Provided training for community members
Summer 1996
Coordinator
International Development Management (IDM) Program,
Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), Ottawa, Canada
- Provided pre-departure support/advice and helped organize one month training in Ottawa for IDM interns preparing for their assignments with NGOs in Africa and Asia
1993
CADEX Volunteer-Consultant
Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC)
Aga Khan Girls Academy, Hunza mountain valley, Northern Pakistan
- Designed and delivered professional development workshops
Project Management/eLearning - Instructional Design Experience
2004–2005
Project Management / e-Learning - Instructional Design Experience
University of Ottawa, Teaching and Learning Support Services (TLSS)
Centre for University Teaching (CUT) / Centre for e-Learning
- Promoted the development of collaborative projects
- Conducted literature review integrating culture in teaching and learning
- Designed curriculum and delivered workshops to faculty and students
- Designed and produced multimedia learn-ware
- Analyzed pedagogical needs
- Identify methods and media necessary for the delivery of courses
- Oversaw the production and development of course tools (i.e. CD-ROMs, videos, guides, educational software etc) created by the team of graphic artists, programmers and photographer
- Worked closely with faculty by providing one-on-one consultation towards the development of sound pedagogical design of their online and face to face courses
Management / Career Counselling Experience
October 02–May 03
Manager
Concordia University, Friedman Resource Centre, Montreal,
Québec
Managed Graduate Education Student Centre
Spring and Summer 1996
Government Sector, Placement Officer
Ministère de l'industrie et du commerce
Placement étudiant du Québec, Montreal, Québec
Liaised high school, college and university students with
employers in public and private sectors for job opportunities
and promoted inter-provincial exchange programs
Fall and Winter 1996
Academic Sector, Support staff
McGill University Career and Placement Services
Assisted in liaising students with employers and in
organizing job fairs
1995–1996
Volunteer Sector, Support staff
Comité d’accueil aux nouveaux immigrants, Montreal,
Québec
Provided language support and orientation to newcomers
Additional Teaching Experience
April 2003–June 2003
French Immersion Teacher, Dunrae Gardens School
English Montreal School Board (EMSB), Montreal, Québec
1996
Teacher second languages and welcoming classes for newcomers
Protestant School Board of Greater Montreal, Montreal, Québec
Summer 1992
English as a second language teacher to international students
Language Studies Canada, Toronto, Ontario
