Vanderbilt Peabody Leaders Visit Pakistan for STEM Support

Peabody College faculty collaborate with Sukkur IBA University to strengthen STEM education in Pakistan.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Faculty members from Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, for the culminating event of the STEMpowered learning and development series, an 18-month collaboration between Peabody College and Sukkur IBA University to strengthen STEM education in Pakistan, with support from Beyond the Classroom. The three-day convening featured presentations from Sukkur IBA faculty and students showcasing their work and impact throughout the STEMpowered project.

Why it matters

The collaboration between Vanderbilt Peabody College and Sukkur IBA University aims to improve STEM education in Pakistan, a country with a growing need for skilled STEM professionals. The project focuses on empowering educators and learners to drive positive change in their communities through evidence-based STEM teaching and learning.

The details

During the three-day convening in Karachi, 11 faculty members and 16 students from Sukkur IBA University gave presentations on tackling local problems of practice in STEM learning and development. The work was informed by a collaborative continuous improvement process using the plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles, with sustained guidance from Peabody faculty. One study presented by Sukkur IBA faculty showed that low-cost, inquiry-based teaching methods increased students' confidence, creativity, and real-world STEM application by 60 to 80 percent.

  • In November, faculty members from Vanderbilt Peabody College traveled to Karachi, Pakistan.
  • The three-day convening took place in Karachi.
  • In September, participants in the STEMpowered learning and development series had an immersion in Nashville.

The players

Vanderbilt Peabody College

A college of education and human development at Vanderbilt University, known for its research and programs in STEM education.

Sukkur IBA University

A public university in Karachi, Pakistan, that collaborated with Vanderbilt Peabody College on the STEMpowered project to strengthen STEM education.

Beyond the Classroom

An organization that provided support for the collaboration between Vanderbilt Peabody College and Sukkur IBA University.

Ellen Goldring

Distinguished research dean, Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor, and professor of educational leadership and policy at Peabody College.

Camilla Benbow

Patricia and Rodes Hart Dean of Education and Human Development at Peabody College.

Chris Vanags

Director of the Peabody Research Office and research assistant professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Vanderbilt's College of Arts and Science.

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What they’re saying

“It was gratifying to participate with the faculty and students in Karachi to see first-hand their learning and engagement and to continue to discuss how initial projects can be sustained and scaled over time.”

— Ellen Goldring, Distinguished research dean, Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor and professor of educational leadership and policy at Peabody College (Mirage News)

“While it was challenging, it was also incredibly rewarding to work with our partners in their context. We didn't just focus on scientific methods; we wanted to build a learning paradigm that focuses on agency. Seeing these students advocate for change in their communities based on scientific evidence that they collected was truly a highlight of my career.”

— Chris Vanags, Director of the Peabody Research Office and research assistant professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences in Vanderbilt's College of Arts and Science (Mirage News)

What’s next

Following the convening in Karachi, Peabody and Sukkur IBA faculty have continued to work together. The School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt recently developed a STEM course that matches the need for a new STEM course at Sukkur IBA. In February, SSMV led a workshop at Vanderbilt for Sukkur IBA faculty and students on the course design and its interactive projects, so that Sukkur IBA can develop a similar course for their students.

The takeaway

Through initiatives like STEMpowered, Vanderbilt Peabody College is committed to advancing STEM education globally by fostering sustained partnerships that empower educators and learners across borders, helping to address the growing need for skilled STEM professionals in countries like Pakistan.