ISLAMABAD: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has invited foreign experts to teach its PhD students through e-Learning system under a well-conceived idea to update students about the new developments in their relevant disciplines.
The experts include Professor Rory of Athabasca University in Canada, Professor KC LI of the Open University of Hong Kong, Professor Cable Green of Ohio State University and Professor Minna Holopainen from San Jose State University in US.
The AIOU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Shahid Siddiqui has laid special emphasis on up-gradation of the academic study, particularly at the MPhil and PhD level that could meet the international standards. This is the part of lecture series undertaken by the university to update students about the new developments in their relevant disciplines.
The university has also decided to gradually adopt the online mode of education to run its PhD and MPhil programmes. As per the approved plan, students of the higher classes will get their study material through electronic or digital devices (CDC) instead of printed form.
There are about nineteen PhD programmes which would be shifted to online system by the end of this year. Similarly, efforts are being made to shift the MPhil programmes to the online system by the end of next year. In all, there are 32 MPhil programmes in different disciplines.
According to Online Learning Coordinator Dr Zahid Majeed, the foreign experts will deliver lectures through online learning management system (LMS).
The Department of Special Education has planned a week-long lecture series for the purpose. The experts will also educate the students on e-Learning/Online, OERs, MOOCs, Open Text Book, COIL and e-Tutoring system.
All the faculty members and the PhD students have been invited to attend the lectures that will start from October 23. The learning sessions will be held daily from 9 am to 10 30 am until October 27.
