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

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1. INTRODUCTION In 2015, the ministry of higher education opened a new chapter of modernizing higher education in 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 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 ( University, , University, University, Kabul Polytechnic University, Shaheed Rabbani Education University and ). 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.

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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 . 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.

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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 based education and student centered learning to e-learning”. During the presentation, it was highlighted that more attention should be diverted toward improving the teaching and learning in public universities and modern virtual didactic must be incorporated into the e-learning curriculum.

Before lunch, two additional and separate presentations were delivered by Dr. Hayatullah Jawad and Professor Ghulam Dastgir Khwarin. The first presentation by Dr. Jawad highlighted the drafted e-learning bylaw and second presentation by Prof. Khawrin presented the highlights of e-learning curriculum.

MoHE’s e-learning bylaw outlines crucial regulatory aspects of the delivering education through technology such as blended learning, distance education and integration of ICT in traditional face-to-face classrooms. The bylaw document emphasizes on the importance of e-learning in enhancing the quality of higher education in Afghanistan. The bylaw is divided into five chapters and 23 articles.

As mentioned above, e-learning initiative will be implemented in three phases, i.e. enrichment, integration and virtual. The curriculum identifies the technological and pedagogical requirement of each phase and tends to build the capacity of targeted audience in order to achieve the requirement of technology integration of that phase. In the enrichment phase for example, universities will work together

5 | P a g e with the ministry to build capacity of their lecturers in the area of computer literacy to achieve basic integration of technology.

On the first half-day of the conference, the participants were divided into two groups, Group A (Curriculum) and Group B (Bylaw). Each group activity was continued to the next day 11:00 AM and given approximately five hours to review and agree on recommendations. On the last day of the conference, the recommendations were presented to all participants.

After the group presentation, the participants asked a series of questions regarding the e-learning bylaw and curriculum and finally the conference was concluded by H.E. Professor Mohammad Osman Babury, deputy minister of academic affairs – ministry of higher education.

5. CONCLUSIONS AND SUMMARY OF THE CONFERENCE H.E. Professor Mohammad Osman Babury closed the conference by gathering all the conference findings and discussed the upcoming proposed activities for e-learning initiative. The closing remarks are summarized as follow: 5.1. Infrastructure Without any doubt stable technological infrastructure is a vital prerequisite for e-learning. However we must work together to enhance the infrastructure and properly utilize the existing technology investment in each university. Ministry of Higher Education is working closely with Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MCIT) and other donors to provide necessary technology infrastructure support to Afghan public universities. Currently there are ongoing projects supported by World Bank funded, Higher Education Development Project (HEDP), and USAID funded, University Support and Workforce Development Project (USWDP). 5.2. Regulatory Ministry of Higher Education has drafted the e-learning bylaw and will be working towards finalizing and approving it. However the new e-learning bylaw must also be cross-checked with distance education degree evaluation bylaw to ensure both laws are comprehensive and does not contradict each other. 5.3. Academic Participants recommendation and feedback on both documents, e-learning bylaw and e-learning curriculum, must be incorporated. E-Learning committee within ministry of higher of education must work on preparing the final version of both documents and ensure its thoroughness. In the meantime the committee must verify and compare the two new documents against the new higher education law to make sure it is not contradicting with the new law. Modern teaching and learning approaches such as outcome based education and student centered learning shall also be incorporated into e-learning curriculum. Once the documents are marked as final then the team shall follow up its approval process. Upon approval, these two new documents must be communicated with each university and commence the pilot and implementation phase. 5.4. Universities Outcome based education, student centered learning and e-learning must be incorporated into the existing curriculum of Kabul Medical University and Pharmacy faculty of . Chancellors and vice chancellors of the eight major universities, where e-learning initiative will be piloted, shall encourage

6 | P a g e and support the e-learning committees and ensure they are up to the task of promoting e-learning activities within these universities.

The e-learning committees within the eight universities should also submit their 6-month action plan for year 1395 to the ministry’s e-learning committee. These committees must also establish e-learning committees within faculties of their respective universities by the end of 1395.

6. ANNEX 6.1. Conference Speakers and Moderators Following names are ordered based on activity as per agenda:

Speaker/Moderator Designation Activity Professor Sataruddin Sidiqi Head of Scientific Programs Recitation of Holy Quran Development – Ministry of Higher Education H.E. Dr. Farida Momand Minister of Higher Education Keynote speech on the importance of e-learning in higher education of Afghanistan H.E. Dr. Mohammad Senior Advisor to the Speech on the importance of e- Humayun Qayumi President learning curriculum in promoting e- learning in higher education of Afghanistan Dr. Rebecca Miller Library Director – American Presentation – Information University of Afghanistan Literacy: The Key to E-Learning. Dr. Miller presented different aspects of information literacy and emphasized on the importance of information literacy in today’s digital world. Dr. Maryam Qudrat Academic Member of Presentation - Benefits of E- California State University Learning: Why Is The World Long Beach 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. Shukria Jamal Acting IT Director - Ministry of Presentation - Necessary IT Higher Education Infrastructure Programs for Afghan Public Universities to Support E- Learning. Ms. Jamal focused on presenting the current programs of MoHE in the area of enhancing the

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ICT infrastructure of individual universities. Bahadur Hellali Education and Technology Presentation - Relevance of Manager Outcome Based Education and Student Centered Learning to E- Masoom Hamdard Teaching and Learning Learning. It was a dual presentation Manager on showing the relevance and importance of incorporating modern teaching and learning approaches in e-learning. Mr. Hellali was also moderator in the e- learning curriculum group. Professor Hayatullah Jawad Faculty member of Kabul Presentation - Drafted E-Learning Medical University Bylaw. Dr. Jawad presented MoHE’s e-learning bylaw to the participant and then later followed by a series of questions. Dr. Jawad was also moderator for E-Learning Bylaw discussion group. He also presented the final group discussion findings and recommendations to the conference participants. Professor Ghulam Dastgir Faculty member of Shaheed Presentation – Drafted E-Learning Khawrin Rabbani Education University Curriculum. Prof. Khawrin presented the drafted e-learning curriculum and then later followed by a series of questions. Prof. Khawrin was also moderator for the E-Learning Curriculum group. Assistant Professor Ghezaal Faculty member of Computer Mr. Zia was also moderator of the Ahmad Zia Science Faculty – Kabul e-learning bylaw group University Abdul Tawab Balakarzai Academic Vice Chancellor of Presentation – E-Learning discussion group finding and recommendations H.E. Professor Mohammad Deputy Minister of Academic Closing Ceremony of the Osman Babury Affairs – Ministry of Higher conference. The conference was Education concluded by highly valuable remarks and summary of conference by H.E. Professor Babury. He outlined the follow up necessary steps in the e-learning initiative.

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6.2. Conference Agenda

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6.3. Conference Participants List # Participant Name Designation 1 H.E. Dr. Farida Momand Minister of Higher Education 2 H.E. Dr. Mohammad Humayun Qayumi Senior Advisor to the President 3 H.E. Professor Mohammad Osman Babury Deputy Minister of Academic Affairs – MoHE 4 H.E. Dr. Barrai Sidiqi Deputy Minister of Student Affairs – MoHE 5 H.E. Dr. Gul Hassan Walizai Deputy Minister of Finance and Administration – MoHE 6 Dr. Abdurahim Hussainian Advisor - Ministry of Higher Education 7 Rahmat Gul Zwakman Advisor - Ministry of Higher Education 8 Dr. Maryam Qudrat Faculty Member of California State University Long Beach 9 Dr. Shershah Sadat Quality Assurance and Accreditation Acting Director – Ministry of Higher Education 10 Said Bahadur Akbar Meer General Director of Solidarity and Academic Affairs – Ministry of Higher Education 11 Prof. Shukria Jamal Acting Information Technology Director - Ministry of Higher Education 12 Prof. Lutfullah Haqparast Director of Appointment and Promotion - Ministry of Higher Education 13 Prof. Sattaruddin Sidiqi Head of Scientific Programs Development - Ministry of Higher Education 14 Dr. Shams Advisor - Ministry of Higher Education 15 Dr. Hameedullah Amin Advisor - Ministry of Higher Education 16 Noor Ahmad Darwish Higher Education Development Project Director - Ministry of Higher Education 17 Bahadur Hellali Education and Technology Manager – HEDP/Ministry of Higher Education 18 Khalid Momand Research and Strategic Planning Manager – HEDP/ Ministry of Higher Education 19 Masoom Hamdard Teaching and Learning Manager – HEDP/ Ministry of Higher Education 20 Davood Majed Advisor - Ministry of Higher Education 21 Hayatullah Ibrahimi Advisor – Ministry of Information and Communication Technology to Ministry of Higher Education

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22 Eng. Abdul Tawab Balakarzai Academic Vice Chancellor – Kandahar University 23 Head of Kandahar University E-Learning Committee – Kandahar University 24 Naser Khan Academic Vice Chancellor – 25 Head of Nangarhar University E-Learning Committee – Nangarhar University 26 Dr. Naser Haidari Academic Vice Chancellor – 27 Head of Balkh University E-Learning Committee – Balkh University 28 Rebecca Miller Library Director – American University of Afghanistan 29 Dr. Dalvin Hill Head of Computer Science and Information Technology - American University of Afghanistan 30 Khaled Abbassi Computer Science Faculty Member - American University of Afghanistan 31 Dr. Ahmadi Academic vice chancellor – Ibn Sina University 32 Asif Siddiqi Technology Advisor – University Support and Workforce Development Project (USWDP) 33 Dr. Mohammad Hassan Farid Academic vice chancellor – Herat University 34 Ashiqullah Alizai Head of Herat University E-Learning Committee – Herat University 35 Prof. Karimzada Academic vice chancellor – Kabul Polytechnic University 36 Hamidullah Turabi Head of Kabul Polytechnic University E-Learning Committee 37 Prof. Hamidullah Sukot Member of Kabul Polytechnic University E- Learning Committee 38 Ghulam Sakhi Shikwa Member of Kabul Polytechnic University E- Learning Committee 39 Prof. Ahmad Navid Mustafazada Member of Kabul Polytechnic University E- Learning Committee 40 Dr. Mir Azizullah Akhgar Academic vice chancellor – Kabul Medical University 41 Dr. Abdullah Abid Head of Public Health Faculty and member of e- learning committee – Kabul Medical University 42 Prof. Ziba Mazari Head of Nursing Faculty and member of e- learning committee – Kabul Medical University 43 Prof. Najiba Sharif Member of e-learning committee – Kabul Medical University 44 Dr. Saida Member of e-learning committee – Kabul Medical University 45 Prof. Mohammad Naeem Member of e-learning committee – Kabul Medical University 46 Dr. Hayatullah Jawad Kabul Medical University Faculty Member

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47 Mohammad Arif Rasa Head of IT Department – Kabul Medical University 48 Prof. Ghulam Dastgir Khawrin Faculty Member of Shaheed Rabbani Education University and Head of E-Learning Committee 49 Prof. Jamshid Rashidi Academic vice chancellor and member of e- learning committee – Shaheed Rabbani Education University 50 Prof. Fazalhaq Fazal Student Affairs vice chancellor and member of e-learning committee – Shaheed Rabbani Education University 51 Prof. Abdul Wahid Jaheed Head of Islamic Studies Faculty and member of e-learning committee - Shaheed Rabbani Education University 52 Prof. Karima Darez Head of Education Faculty and member of e- learning committee – Shaheed Rabbani Education University 53 Prof. Siddiullah Barakzai Head of Computer Science Faculty and member of e-learning committee – Shaheed Rabbani Education University 54 Prof. Sayed Abdullah Walizai Faculty Member of Computer Science Faculty and member of e-learning committee – Shaheed Rabbani Education University 55 Prof. Raihana Popalzai Academic vice chancellor – Kabul University 56 Ghezal Ahmad Zia Head of IT Department and member of e- learning committee – Kabul University 57 Prof. Abdul Habib Leyan Head of Engineering Faculty – Kabul University 58 Ghazi Hashimi Faculty member of Law Faculty and member of e-learning committee – Kabul University 59 Prof. Amir Hamza Faculty member of Economy Faculty and member of e-learning committee – Kabul Univeristy 60 Jawed Sukot Faculty member of Journalism Faculty and member of e-learning committee – Kabul University 61 Ajmal Mohammadi MoHE IT Directorate Staff 62 Murtaza Sarwary MoHE IT Directorate Staff 63 Hussain Faqiri MoHE IT Directorate Staff 64 Niaz Mohammad Ramaki Kabul Polytechnic University Faculty Member and Technology Advisor to IT Directorate – Ministry of Higher Education 65 Dr. Wakil Ahmad Sarhadi Head of Agriculture Faculty – Kabul University 66 Gul Rahim Safi Advisor – Ministry of Higher Education 67 Dr. Arsalai Advisor – Ministry of Higher Education

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