Md. Saiful Malak, PhD

Associate Professor

Department of Special Education

Institute of Education and Research

University of Dhaka

Email: saiful.malak@du.ac.bd

Biography

Md. Saiful Malak teaches courses regarding disability, special education, inclusion and applied psychology at the Institute of Education and Research (IER), University of Dhaka as Associate Professor. He did Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Master of Education in Special Education from the Department of Special Education, IER, University of Dhaka. As a representative of Bangladesh Government, he completed another Masters with concentration to Inclusion in Education in the School of Education and Professional Studies, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia in 2010. Recently he has completed Doctoral studies in the Faculty of Education, Monash University, Australia. Saiful’s PhD research focuses on mainstream teachers’ efficacy and behavioural intention to teach students with challenging behaviours in regular classrooms. His research interests include disability studies, special education, inclusion, student behaviour and teacher preparedness for inclusion.

Publications

Book

Huq, S. & Malak, M. S. (Eds.) (2014). Shikhone Sujog Sristi [A book regarding Deafblindness and multiple disabilities written in Bangla Language, is the translation and contextualization  of Creating Learning Opportunities edited by Namita Jacob]. Dhaka: University of Dhaka & Perkins School for the Blind, USA.

Book Chapters

Malak, M. S. & Tasnuba, T. (accepted). Secondary school teachers’ views on inclusion of students with special educational needs in regular classrooms. In R. Chowdhuri, M. Sarker, F. Mojumder and M. Roshid (eds.) Engaging in Educational praxis: Connecting policy and practice in Bangladesh. Singapore: Springers

Malak, M. S. (2014). Special education today in Bangladesh. In A. F. Rotatori , J. P. Bakken, F. E. Obiakor , S. Burkhardt, & U. Sharma (Eds.), Special Education International Perspectives: Practices Across the Globe. Advances in Special Education, Vol 28 . (pp. 585-622). Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Malak, M. S., Begum, H. A., Habib, M. A., Banu, M. S. & Roshid, M. M. (2014). Inclusive education in Bangladesh: Are the guiding principles aligned with successful practices? In  H. Zhang, P. W. K. Chan and C. Boyle (Eds.), Equity in Education: Fairness and inclusion (pp.107-124). Rotterdam, The Netherlands: Sense Publishers.

Malak, M. S. (2013). Inclusive education in Bangladesh: Attitudes of pre-service special education teachers towards students with special educational needs. In J Greenwood, J. Everatt, A. H. Kabir & S. Alam (Eds), Research and educational change in Bangladesh (pp.223-243), Dhaka: University of Dhaka.

Journal Articles

Malak, M. S., Sharma, U. & Deppeler, J. M. (Under review). Predictors of primary schoolteachers’ behavioural intention to teach students demonstrating inappropriate behaviour in regular classrooms.

Farhana, I. & Malak, M. S. (2016). Issues regarding Deafblindness: How do parents perceive of social support for their children? Bangladesh Journal of Educational Research, 1(2), 76-86.

Malak, M. S., Sharma, U. & Deppeler, J. M. (2017). Development of a scale for measuring teachers’ attitudes towards students’ inappropriate behaviour. International Journal of Whole Schooling, 13(1), 1-20.

Malak, M. S., Sharma, U. & Deppeler, J. M. (2015). ‘Can I really teach without my magic cane?’ Bangladeshi teachers’ responses to the banning of corporal punishment. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 19(12), 1325-1341.

Malak, M. S., Deppeler, J. M. & Sharma, U. (2014). Bangladeshi teachers' perceptions about student behavior in primary schools, International Journal on School Disaffection,11(1), 59-78.

Malak, M. S. (2013). Inclusive education in Bangladesh: Are pre-service teachers ready to accept students with special educational needs in regular classes? Disability, CBR and Inclusive Development, 24(1), 56-82.

Malak, M. S. (2013). Inclusive education reform in Bangladesh: Pre-service teachers' responses to include students with special educational needs in regular classrooms. International Journal of Instruction, 6(1), 195-114.

Malak, M. S. (2012). Pre-service special education teachers' preparation for inclusive education in Bangladesh: An action research. Journal of Education and Practice, 3(14), 91-100.

Malak, M. S., & Khanam, D. (2011). Challenges to regular schooling of female students with disabilities: A case study. Journal of Advanced Social Research, 1(2),147-156.

Malak, M. S., & Khanam, D. (2010). The role of teachers' professional development in promoting a learner-friendly inclusive environment in the regular primary schools. Teacher's World: Journal of Education Research, 35/36, 79-89.

Akter, N., & Malak, M. S. (2008). Identification of suitable teaching strategies for effective learning of children with hearing impairment  at primary level (Grade-I & II) in regular school. Teacher's World: Journal of Education and Research, 32, 105-112.

Akbar, S., Jahan-Ara, Q. A., & Malak, M. S. (2007). Pre-primary education programs in Bangladesh: A review (in Bangla). Asiatic Society Potrika, 25 (2), 329-357.

Ahsan, M. T., Hossain, M. A., & Malak, M. S. (2006). Participatory education budget analysis: Education for children with disabilities. Teacher's World: Journal of Education and Research, 28/29, 156-168.

Malak, M. S., Ahsan, M. T., & Jahan-Ara, Q. A. (2005). Identification of education provisions of hearing impaired children in Bangladesh and their practices in reality. The Dhaka University Studies, 62 (1), 163-174.

Conference Presentations

• Malak, M. S. (2016).Primary schoolteachers’ attitudes towards students exhibiting inappropriate behaviour in regular classrooms in Bangladesh. Melbourne, Australia: AARE Annual Conference 2016, 1^st December, 2016.
• Malak, M. S., Begum, H. A., Habib, M. A., Banu, M. S. & Roshid, M. M. (2013). Inclusive education in Bangladesh: Policy and practice. Adelaide, Australia: AARE Annual Conference 2013, 5^th December, 2013.
• Malak, M. S. (2013). Can I really teach without my magic cane? Melbourne, Australia: MERC Annual Conference 2013, 5^th July 2013.
• Kabir, A. H., Malak, M. S., Habib, M. A., & Khan, F. Z. (2012). Access to quality higher education in Bangladesh: Success and Challenges. Melbourne, Australia: Global Education System Day 2012, 1^st November, 2012.
• Malak, M. S. (2012). Making inclusive education happen in regular classrooms. A working paper presented in Proyash: Special Child Special Rights, Dhaka: Bangladesh, 18^th October 2012.
• Malak, M. S. (2011). Primary education teachers' beliefs and intention towards including students with behaviour problem in regular classrooms. Melbourne, Australia: MERC Collaborative Colloquium,13^th  October, 2011.
• Mojumder, F. A., Morshed, M., Malak M. S., Gomes, J. & Roshid, M. M. (2011). Steps towards quality education in Bangladesh: Assessment policy and practice. Melbourne: Australia: Global Education System Day 2011, 21^st November, 2011.
• Malak, M. S. (2011). Pre-service special education teachers' attitudes towards including students with special educational needs in mainstream primary education classes. Melbourne, Australia: MERC Annual Conference 2011, 8^th July, 2011.

Teaching

·       Associate Professor (Since 17 May 2016 to till date), Department of Special Education, Institute of Education and Research, University of Dhaka

·       Assistant Professor (9 January 2011 to 16 May 2016), Department of Special Education, Institute of Education and Research, University of Dhaka

·       Lecturer (30 October 2006 to 8 January 2011), Department of Special Education, Institute of Education and Research, University of Dhaka

·       Guest Lecturer (March to May, 2010), Special Education Learning Program, School of Education and Professional Studies, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia

·       Guest Lecturer (2005 to 2009), Bangladesh Health Professions Institute, Centre for Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), Savar, Dhaka.

Supervision

• Parental perception on social support for children with Deafblindness, M. Ed. thesis, Institute of Education and Research (IER), University of Dhaka.
• Special education teachers’ views on children with Down syndrome, M. Ed. thesis, IER, University of Dhaka.
• Impact of early intervention on children with hearing impairment, M. Ed. thesis, IER, University of Dhaka.
• Importance of sign language for students with hearing impairment, M. Ed. thesis, IER, University of Dhaka. 
• Suitable teaching strategies for students with hearing impairment, M. Ed. thesis, IER, University of Dhaka.
• Science teaching for students with hearing impairment, M. Ed. Thesis, IER, University of Dhaka.
• Language assessment for Bangla speaking children (Age 1-2 yr), Speech & Language Therapy (Hons) thesis, Bangladesh Health Professions Institute, CRP, Dhaka
• Language assessment for Bangla speaking children (Age 2-3yr), Speech & Language Therapy (Hons) thesis, Bangladesh Health Professions Institute, CRP, Dhaka

Co-supervision (with Associate Professor Barrie O'Connor)

• Secondary teachers' attitudes towards inclusive education in Bangladesh, 40 CP M. Ed. thesis, School of Education and Professional Studies, Griffith University, Australia.
• Teacher educators' beliefs towards inclusive education in Bangladesh, 40 CP M. Ed. thesis, School of Education and Professional Studies, Griffith University, Australia.
• Mainstream parents' attitudes towards inclusive education in Bangladesh, 40 CP M. Ed. thesis, School of Education and Professional Studies, Griffith University, Australia.

  Involvement in Professional Development Activities

  ·       Trainer (January to May, 2009): Continuous professional development (CPD) on “Inclusive education”, Organised by IER, University of Dhaka under Teaching Quality Improvement (TQI-SEP) project of Secondary Education, Bangladesh.

  ·       Core-Trainer (3 June- 18 June, 2005): Training on “Inclusive Education” Organised by Deaf Children Welfare Association of Bangladesh, Uttara, Dhaka.

  ·       Trainer (January to February, 2004): Training on “Special Education for Children with Special Needs”, Jointly organised by IECD Bangladesh and IER, University of Dhaka.

  Present Consultancy

  • Team member (since 2013-): Quality enhancement in Diploma in Primary Education (DPEd)- A program aiming to reform countrywide teacher education curricula/programs in primary education sector, implemented by the Institute of Education and Research, University of Dhaka, funded by the Government of Bangladesh.

  Research Work

  ·       Research Assistant (September 2015 to November 2015): Australian Development Research Award Scheme (ADRAS) project, Faculty of Education, Monash University, Australia.

  ·       Research Assistant (July 2013 to September 2013): Solomon Islands Inclusive Education Project, Faculty of Education, Monash University, Australia.

  ·       Research Team Member (July 2008 to June 2009): “Learning friendly inclusive environment: A search for its status in secondary school classrooms” conducted by the National Academy for Educational Management (NAEM) with funding of the Government of Bangladesh.

  ·       Research Associate (April 2006 to May 2006): Technical and vocational education in public and private sectors in Bangladesh, conducted by ADSL Bangladesh and PINZ New Zealand with funding of Asian Development Bank (PPTA 4799).

  Awards Received

  • Griffith Award for Academic Excellence 2009-2010: Awarded by Griffith University, Australia as a recognition for outstanding academic performance.
  • Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) 2011: Awarded by Australian Government for pursuing Doctoral Studies in Monash University
  • International Postgraduate Research Scholarship 2011: Awarded by Australian Government for pursuing PhD in Monash University