Webinar on Institutional Blended Learning Policy to Strengthen Higher Education in Pakistan

The Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (COL-CEMCA), in collaboration with Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) of Pakistan, organised a Pre-Conference Webinar titled, Empowering Higher Education Institutions through Blended Learning: A Deep Dive into the Institutional Blended Learning Policy (IBLP). This event, held ahead of the 37th Association of Asian Open Universities (AAOU) Conference 2024, focused on introducing the IBLP template and discussing its importance in achieving SDG 4, which emphasises inclusive and equitable education. The webinar brought together experts and participants from Commonwealth nations, offering insights into how higher education institutions (HEIs) can implement blended learning effectively.

The Webinar began with a welcome by Professor Dr Nasir Mahmood, Vice-Chancellor of AIOU, who stressed the relevance of blended learning as educational institutions face growing challenges in online education. Dr B. Shadrach, Director of COL-CEMCA, highlighted the significance of blended learning in modern education and the collaborative efforts between COL-CEMCA and AIOU.

The keynote address was delivered by Professor Sarah Prestridge from Griffith University, who critiqued the traditional understanding of blended learning as merely a combination of online and face-to-face instruction. She advocated for a more flexible and asynchronous design, promoting online collaboration and student interaction. Professor Prestridge emphasised the need for active learning environments that go beyond simple participation metrics.

Following this, Dr Shadrach gave a presentation on the history and current relevance of blended learning, tracing its roots in open and distance learning, and the opportunities and challenges posed by technology. He clarified misconceptions about blended learning and stressed the need for supportive policies in Pakistan’s educational framework. He also underscored the importance of the IBLP template for HEIs, setting the stage for Ms. Sheriya Sareen’s presentation.

Ms. Sareen, a PhD scholar from IIT Jammu, explained the adaptability of the IBLP template across different educational contexts and encouraged participants to provide feedback for its improvement. The webinar then transitioned into a panel discussion with experts like Professor Dr Muhammad Mohsin Javed, Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology, Virtual University of Pakistan, and Dr Abaidullah Anwar, Deputy Director- QAA at Higher Education Commission, Pakistan, discussing institutional readiness, governance, and Pakistan's open and distance learning (ODL) policy.

The webinar concluded with a discussion on the role of technology, AI, and ICT in promoting accessible, affordable, and equitable education, emphasising that quality and ethical standards must remain uncompromised.

Picture Credit: AIOU Facebook page