Govt urged to boost e-learning policy ,infrastructural strategies.

ISLAMABAD -- Government should address the infrastructural issues to streamline the distance especially e-learning after Covid19 scenario to cope with new challenges, say educationists.

The top academicians from different national learning institutions and abroad highlighted this while sharing their views with the participants during online dialogue 'COVID-19 and the challenges to Higher Education in Distance Learning' organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in collaboration with Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), here on Tuesday.

Dr Alastair Creelman, E- Learning Specialist, Linnaeus University Sweden, on the occasion said that we need to understand that there is a long way to go to overcome the challenges including using and developing the required tools effectively. He said that the students and the teachers need necessary skills for effective e learning whereas the issues such as home environment and connectivity also need to be assessed. The production of teaching and learning guides could play critical role in improving the quality of e-learning, he added.

Dr Zia Ul Qayyum, Vice Chancellor, AIOU, was of view that the focus on finding the ways to respond after Covid19 challenges could lead as to right strategies. He said that we have enrollment from all parts of Pakistan including remote areas with low and even no connectivity, and respond the needs of students accordingly. He said that the quality assurance is another critical aspect that needs our attention.

Dr Kam Cheong Li, Open University of Hong Kong, China, while highlighting various tools that are being applied by his institution in after Covid19 situation, said that the students and faculty hasn't been much...