The President of Sri Lanka, H. E. Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, inaugurated the Second SAF General Conference and the fourth meeting of Vice-chancellors/Rectors of Open Universities in South Asian countries. Sitting left to right: Prof. Uma Kumaraswamy, VC Sri Lanka Open University; Prof. Salima Hashmi, SAF-Pakistan; Hon. Kamal Hossain, SAF-Bangladesh; Mr. Madanjeet Singh, Founder SAF; H. E. Bandaranaike Kumaratunga; Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar, SAF-Sri Lanka; Mr. Jeet Singh, SAF trustee; Hon. Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, SAFBhutan; Hon. Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, SAF Maldives; Ambassador B. B. Thapa, SAF-Nepal. Standing left to right: Mr. Mohsen Tawfiq, UNESCO Regional Director, New Delhi; Prof. Usha Singh, VC, Nalanda Open University, Patna; Prof. D. P. Singh, VC, U.P. Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Allahabad; Prof. G.S.L. Devra, VC, Kota Open University, Rajasthan; Prof. Surabhi Banerjii, VC, Netaji Subhash Open University, Kolkota; Prof. Altaf Hossain, VC, Alama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad; Dr. Pema Kinley, Director General of Education, Bhutan; Prof. Jamilur reza Choudhury, VC, BRAC University, Dhaka; Prof. Ershadul Bari, VC, Bangladesh Open University, Dhaka; Prof Suresh Garg, Pro-VC, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi; Prof Hom Nath Bhattarai, Member Secretary U.G.S., Kathamndu; Prof. V.S. Prasad. VC, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad; Prof. R.K. Singh, VC, Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University, Bhopal; Prof. N.S. Ramegowda, VC, Karnataka State Open University, Mysore; Prof. B.P. Sabale, VC, Y. Chavan Maharashtra Open University. Nasik.

Time-bound plan of action adopted by SAFLI's Academic Council and approved by SAF Chairpersons at the Second General Conference of South Asia Foundation, Colombo, Sri Lanka (February 18-19, 2003)

1. The Vice-Chancellors/Rectors of Open Universities and Representatives of other Institutions in the SAARC countries assembled for the Second General Conference of South Asia Foundation in Colombo (February 18-19, 2003) do hereby resolve as follows:

2. The SAF Learning Initiative (SAFLI), jointly developed by its Steering Committee members at the two previous meetings in France (September 28-29, 2002) and Bangladesh (December 12-13, 2002), and endorsed by the Vice- Chancellors of Open Universities in India (November 24-25, 2002), is hereby formally adopted to promote lifelong, secular learning that emphasises humanism and celebrates the rich heritage of South Asia's unity in diversity at all levels and sections of society.

3. With IT and computer literacy rapidly becoming part of the life and culture of young people, courses on South Asian Studies may be transmitted online and through television, while at the same time continuing to employ the conventional methods of using video and books to deliver distance education.

4. SAFLI will offer a Post-Graduate Diploma in Environment and Sustainable Development (PGD-ESD), together with optional IT courses for students to choose from for added credits. Additional courses such as on human rights and studies in gender justice will be developed in subsequent phases. The target date for launching the PGD-ESD is December 12, 2003. Allama Iqbal Open University, Pakistan offered to host the meeting for the formal launching; the final decision will be made at the appropriate time.

5. In connection with SAF's online learning initiatives, the meeting accepted a proposal by Mr. Jeet Singh that a design/ engineering team be established to (a) understand the real needs or audiences that might be served by an online system, and (b) if these can be identified, to design and cost estimate a first functional example of the system. It is estimated that a design team can be established by May1, 2003 to complete a design by August1, 2003.

6. Besides PGD-ESD courses, basic education for the deprived communities and teacher training with local input shall receive special attention to achieve the widest possible reach. SAFLI will cooperate with NGOs that are working for the much needed education of abandoned children such as Maiti-Nepal and the some fifty SOS villages which the SOS-Kinderdorf International has established in South Asia. It is from grassroots projects that regional co-operation essentially draws its enormous strength to build a future of peace and stability in harmony with Nature.

7. SAF shall endeavour to link various institutions engaged in South Asian Studies with the SAF Documentation Centre (SAFDIC Online). A network of database would accelerate research and avoid wasteful duplication of books and documents.

8. In conformity with its Charter, SAF shall make a matching contribution of funds to SAFLI distance education courses delivered by the Open Universities/Institutions in order to foster a sense of responsibility and local ownership. However, in order to give the courses a good start, SAF shall totally fund the first PGD-ESD modules.

9. The cost estimates for design, development of multiple media course materials were discussed and it was agreed that for a course of some 350 pages for up to 1,000 copies, 1 video and 2 audio sets, SAFLI shall, through its SAF Chairperson, provide a sum of US$ 18,000 for each course. For 9-10 courses, the total cost shall be about US$ 1,80,000.

10. SAFLI courses shall bear the SAF logo together with the logo of the University/Institution delivering distance education. Each course will be headed by a brief description: South Asia Foundation (SAF) is a voluntary, secular, non-profit and non-political youth movement of regional co-operation through education and sustainable development among SAARC countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. SAF Learning Initiative (SAFLI) is designed to promote lifelong, secular learning that emphasises humanism and celebrates the rich heritage of South Asia's unity in diversity at all levels and sections of society.

11. Participating Open Universities and Institutions shall each nominate a Programme Coordinator and an IT Coordinator who would interact among themselves, with IT Coordinators of SAF Chapters in their own countries as well as with SAFLI IT Coordinator.

12. The Vice-Chancellors/Rectors shall be responsible for securing approval for SAFLI participation from their respective University Academic Councils and other educational bodies as may be required under their statutes and regulations.

13. The activities and progress of SAFLI shall be continuously monitored jointly by SAF Chapters and the participating Open Universities/institutions. The overall SAFLI programme shall be evaluated at the end of 2006 by an independent review committee appointed by SAF Chairpersons. Should the results be unsatisfactory and do not promote regional cooperation among SAARC countries, then SAF shall have the right to withdraw its support to SAFLI.

14. The SAFLI Governing Council shall comprise the seven Chairpersons of SAF Chapters and Ambassador Madanjeet Singh/ Mr.Jeet Singh.

15. The SAFLI Steering Committee shall comprise: (i) Ambassador Madanjeet Singh/ Mr.Jeet Singh and his nominee. (ii) A nominee of UNESCO Director-General. (iii) A Vice-Chancellor/Rector from one National Open University in each SAARC country. For India, one additional vice- chancellor of State Open Universities by rotation [in order of its establishment] (iv) A nominee of the Chairperson of SAF Chapters in countries without an Open University viz. Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives. (v) SAFLI Content Coordinator.

16. SAFLI shall have an Academic Council comprising (i) Ambassador Madanjeet Singh/ Mr. Jeet Singh and his nominee (ii) A nominee of UNESCO Director-General. (iii) Vice-Chancellors/Rectors of Open Universities and other Institutions of distant education in SAARC countries (iv) one Programme and one IT Coordinator from each University/ Institution (v) one member each from the institutions/ NGOs associated with SAFLI (vi) SAFLI Content Coordinator.

SAFLI Academic Council

Dr.Abdul Waheed Khan, Representative,UNESCO Director-General,Paris.
Prof. Jamilur Reza Choudhry, VC, BRAC University, Bangladesh.
Prof. Ershadul Bari, VC, Bangladesh Open University, Dhaka.
Dr. Jagar Dorji, Director, National Institute of Education, Bhutan.
Prof. H.P. Dikshit, VC, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi.
Prof. Suresh Garg, Pro-VC, Indira Gandhi Open University, New Delhi.
Dr. Hassan Hameed, Maldives Collage for Higher Education,Maldives.
Prof. Suresh Raj Sharma, Vice Chancellor, Kathmandu University, Nepal
Prof. Hom Nath Bhattarai, Member Secretary, U.G.S. Kathmandu.
Prof. Altaf Hussain, VC, Alama Iqbal Open University, Pakistan.
Prof. Khalid Aftab, VC, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan.
Prof. Naveed Malik, Rector, file University of Pakistan.
Prof. Uma Coomaraswamy, VC, Open University of Sri Lanka.
Prof. V.S. Prasad, VC, Dr. B R Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad.
Prof. K.D. Vasava, VC, Dr. B. Ambedkar Open University, Ahmedabad.
Prof. Surabhi Banerjee, VC, Netaji Subhas Open University, Kolkata.
Prof. G.S.L. Devra, VC, Kota Open University, Kota, Rajasthan.
Prof. R.K. Singh, VC, Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University, Bhopal.
Prof. (Ms) Usha Singh, VC, Nalanda Open University, Bihar.
Prof. D.P. Singh, VC,U. P. Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Allahabad.
Prof. N.S. Ramegowda, VC, Karnataka State Open University, Mysore.
Prof. B.P. Sabale, VC, Y. Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Nashik.