3Rd-E-Learning-Works

Ministry of Higher Education Higher Education Development Project (HEDP) POST CONFERENCE REPORT 3rd E-Learning Conference in Higher Education February 6-7, 2016 Report by Bahadur Hellali, Education and Technology Manager Higher Education Development Project (HEDP/MoHE) Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 3 2. CONFERENCE OBJECTIVE ...................................................................................................................... 4 3. VENUE, DATES AND PARTICIPANTS .......................................................................................................... 4 4. CONFERENCE FLOW .................................................................................................................................. 4 5. CONCLUSIONS AND SUMMARY OF THE CONFERENCE ............................................................................. 6 5.1. Infrastructure ..................................................................................................................................... 6 5.2. Regulatory .......................................................................................................................................... 6 5.3. Academic ............................................................................................................................................ 6 5.4. Universities ........................................................................................................................................ 6 6. ANNEX ....................................................................................................................................................... 7 6.1. Conference Speakers and Moderators .............................................................................................. 7 6.2. Conference Agenda ............................................................................................................................ 9 6.3. Conference Participants List ............................................................................................................ 11 2 | P a g e 1. INTRODUCTION In 2015, the ministry of higher education opened a new chapter of modernizing higher education in Afghanistan by introducing electronic learning to Afghan public universities. Promotion of electronic learning (E-Learning) in higher education of Afghanistan is one of Ministry of Higher Education’s priority areas. As noted in the “National Higher Education Strategic Plan II (2015 – 2020)”: Distance education offers a wide range of opportunities to the MoHE to increase higher education access at a reasonable cost. As has been the case all over the world, it can provide access to higher education to isolated parts of the country, to those who work during the day and must care for children at night, to women unable to go to universities, and to those who are unable to travel because of disabilities. (Section 2.5.3, Distance Education, p. 45) With the introduction of E-Learning initiative, ministry of higher education aims to incorporate digital technologies into teaching, learning and research. In 2015, MoHE developed its policy and plan for e- learning program. First E-Learning conference was organized in American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) on 02 August 2015 to raise awareness and discuss ideas on how to pilot and initiate e-learning initiative in universities and higher education institutes of Afghanistan. The second E-Learning conference was organized in Herat University in October 2015 and during the conference the E-Learning policy document was presented and a five-year plan was shared to pilot and implement the e-learning initiative in the eight major public universities (Kabul University, Herat University, Balkh University, Kandahar University, Kabul Polytechnic University, Shaheed Rabbani Education University and Kabul Medical University). After the conference, each of the eight universities were asked to conduct an assessment of their current e-infrastructure and capacity of their faculty members in the area of ICT literacy. Universities also prepared their 3-5 years plan for e-learning activities in their respective institutions. As per MoHE’s approach, E-Learning initiative will be implemented in three phases i.e., enrichment, integration and virtual. In the enrichment phase, universities will work together with the MoHE to improve their information and communication technology infrastructure and enhance the knowledge and skills of their faculty members to commence inclusion of digital technologies to complement traditional face-to- face classroom. In January 2016, each university completed development of their plans and conducted assessment, ministry of higher education together with universities decided proceed with enrichment phase by developing an e-learning curriculum, bylaw and coordinate with key donors to support e-insfrastructure enhancement within some universities where e-learning program will pilot. The e-learning curriculum majorly focuses on upgrading the skills and knowledge of faculty members of each university in the area of virtual education didactic and ICT literacy. The curriculum will focus on enhancing technical skills in the area of ICT and modern e-learning teaching and learning methods. The e- learning bylaw will cover the regulatory aspects of e-learning initiative. Presentation and discussion on e- learning curriculum and e-learning bylaw was the main theme of third e-learning conference. 3 | P a g e 2. CONFERENCE OBJECTIVE The overall objective of the third e-learning conference was to present, review and hold a discussion on the drafted unified and integrated e-learning curriculum and e-learning bylaw. Specific objectives of this event are as follow: a. Gather insight on e-learning curriculum, bylaw and integration of technology into curricula b. Present progress made to the date in the area of e-learning to all participants c. Review, discuss and receive feedback/recommendation on the e-learning curriculum and MoHE’s e-learning bylaw d. Follow up actions and way forward on e-learning initiative. 3. VENUE, DATES AND PARTICIPANTS The conference was organized in the Conference Hall of Ministry of Higher Education within the compound of ministry. The hall was equipped with all necessary facilities needed in the conference. The third e-learning conference was a 2-day event and was held on 6th and 7th of February 2016. Senior government officials from the President’s office, Ministry of Higher Education and eight major universities participated in this conference. The participants shared their input on the different aspects of e-learning related to bylaw and curriculum. Around 70 people participated in this conference. 4. CONFERENCE FLOW The conference started by recitation of holy Quran and then followed by the national anthem. H.E. Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Farida Momand, officially commenced the conference by keynote address on e-learning and said that e-learning is the way forward and it is a necessary program to play a vital role in contributing and enhancing the quality of higher education in Afghanistan. Her Excellency further added that the ministry of higher education will be a strong supporter of e-learning implementing universities and will provide necessary support wherever needed. 4 | P a g e After the keynote address, H.E. Dr. Mohammad Humayun Qayumi, senior advisor to the president, delivered a speech on the importance of e-learning curriculum to promote e-learning activities in higher education institutions. Dr. Qayumi pointed out the key aspects of an e-learning curriculum and shared perspective on its implementation. His Excellency added, in the beginning of 20th century, the growth knowledge was doubled every 50 years but with the advent of modern technology, now the growth of knowledge is doubled every 12 years. As you can see it is the demand of 21st century and education is heavily reliant on technology and that is why Afghan universities and higher education institutes need to keep abreast of their knowledge. Following H.E. Dr. Qayumi speech, director of library at American University of Afghanistan (AUAF), Dr. Rebecca Miller, had prepared a presentation on the role of information literacy in e-learning. The presentation was very helpful and pointed the relevance of computer literacy and information literacy in promoting e-learning agenda in individual universities. Similarly, Dr. Maryam Qudrat, faculty member of California State University Long Beach, delivered a presentation on e-learning trends, benefit and why is the world embracing this trend. Dr. Qudrat presented and talked on the e-learning initiatives in neighboring countries of Afghanistan and how these initiatives are successful. She also presented the progress made since 2015 in the area of e-learning in Afghanistan. In the continuation of the event, Ms. Shukria Jamal, acting IT director of Ministry of Higher Education presented the current information technology initiatives in the eight aforementioned universities and how the ministry is contributing toward enhancing the current and new technological structures within these universities. She also presented MoHE’s IT plan and donor coordination activities in the area of information and communication technology (ICT). Following Ms. Jamal’s presentation, Bahadur Hellali and Masoom Hamdard delivered a presentation on “relevance of outcome

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