A team of Government College University Lahore academics, who graduated
from top universities of the world, prepared the University's Online
Education Policy after studying various models adopted by the Universities
of Cambridge, Oxford, and Singapore. The policy is approved by the
University's Academic Council.
Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi, Vice Chancellor of GCU, said: "We can comfortably
claim to have devised one of the best, forward-looking online education
policies in South Asia. This policy is an integral part of our four-year
strategic vision (2020-2023)."
Online education policy focuses on four key elements: course readiness,
teacher training, technology and students' preparedness. To ensure course
readiness for online teaching, faculty members revised more than 1600
courses by adding e-resources, weekly distribution of lectures, grading
strategies and reading material. All courses are approved by relevant
chairpersons and the Panel of Digital Learning Environment of the
University. The Library staff worked 24/7 for providing students and
teachers with reading material by electronic and postal services.
Recently established Directorate of Information Technology trained 800
faculty members and forty IT Coordinators for using the newly acquired
online system.
The University adopted a "distance learning model" for students who had
internet connectivity issues. At students' request, the University sent
course material by postal service without charging any amount. Such
students submitted assignments and final essays by post as well.
"Despite having no prior experience, more than 800 faculty members and
approximately 15000 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 said.
GCU 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 exam,
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.
A chairperson of Languages Faculty told: In a three-hour on-campus exam,
students usually reproduce verbatim of readings uncritically. However, in a
long essay or 24-hour time-bound online exams, they have the opportunity to
revise the script multiple times. We can conduct an online viva to verify
whether a submission is of the same student. That's what learning is all
about.
Prof. Zaidi said: Our academics deserve particular appreciation. Many
faculty members and their families suffered from Covid-19. But they
continued teaching and did not compromise on students' learning. He also
said that Pakistani universities cannot shy away from e-learning, it is the
need of the hour and the Government needs to make heavy investments to
improve internet connectivity and online teaching systems.