LAHORE: A team of the Government College University (GCU) academics, who graduated from top universities of the world, prepared the university’s online education policy after studying models adopted by the universities of Cambridge, Oxford and Singapore. The policy has been approved by the university’s Academic Council.

GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi says the policy focuses on four key elements: course readiness, teacher training, technology and students’ preparedness. To ensure course readiness, the faculty members revised more than 1,600 syllabi by adding e-resources, weekly distribution of lectures, grading strategies and reading material. All courses were approved by relevant chairpersons and the Panel of Digital Learning Environment of the university.

The recently established Directorate of Information Technology trained 800 faculty members and 40 IT coordinators for using the newly acquired online system.

The university adopted a “distance learning model” for students who had internet connectivity issues. At the students’ request, the university sent course material by post free of cost. These students submitted assignments and final essays by post as well.

“Despite having no prior experience, more than 800 faculty members and approximately 15,000 students shifted to online mode in a short time. We made sure that no students were left behind because of technology or humble background,” Prof Zaidi maintained.

GCU also conducts mid-term and final examinations online for all degree programmes in accordance with the online education policy. The controller of examinations said: “Teachers could take 24-hour or less open book exams, long essay and/or viva for assessment.

Assessment strategies in each department varied depending on the requirement of the discipline. Teachers also checked submissions for plagiarism.”

VC Zaidi said Pakistani universities could not shy away from e-learning; it was the need of the hour and the government needed to make heavy investments to improve internet connectivity and online teaching systems.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2021