Roll out of NUST ConnectEd, online learning platform
The rollout event for ConnectEd, the online platform of the National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) offering cohort-based and self-paced short courses, was held today, November 19, 2024, at the USPCAS-E seminar hall. The event was chaired by Dr. Osman Hasan, Pro-Rector Academics, and attended by school principals, faculty members, and industry partners. Notably, the event was also graced by a delegation from the University of Utah, who played a pivotal role in providing initial training for online course development through Higher Education System Strengthening Activity (HESSA), which is a USAID funded project that aims to reinforce Pakistan’s higher education system by capacity building of HEIs.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Awais Kamboh, Dean of NUST ConnectEd, welcomed the distinguished guests and outlined the significance of the new platform. He emphasized that only 13% of students in Pakistan progress to tertiary education, a stark contrast to the global average of 40%. He noted that online learning presents a promising solution to bridge this gap, making higher education more accessible to a wider demographic. Dr. Kamboh also highlighted the recent policy shift by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) that supports online bachelor’s programs, reinforcing the role of digital learning in expanding higher education opportunities across the country.
Dr. Osman Hasan addressed the audience by underscoring the strategic partnership between NUST and the University of Utah, which has resulted in the training of 21 NUST faculty members and the development of four online courses. Dr. Osman highlighted how the integration of online education will significantly enhance access to NUST programs for students who face geographic, physical, or other barriers to traditional on-campus education. He emphasized that the evolving landscape of education necessitates adaptation, and that NUST is committed to staying at the forefront of this transformation.
Dr. Zunaira Saqib, General Manager of Operations at NUST ConnectEd, provided an overview of the platform’s accomplishments to date. She outlined the detailed course development process and shared future plans to develop additional courses tailored to meet emerging market demands.
Dr. Deborah Keyek-Franssen, Associate Vice President and Dean of University Connected Learning (UCL) at the University of Utah, and Ms. Chante Wilson, Senior Instructional Designer at UCL, offered valuable insights into global trends in online education. They talked about the importance of serving the non-traditional student. They discussed the evolving landscape of digital learning, the best practices for teaching online, and the importance of centralized support systems to ensure the success of online education initiatives at universities. The appreciated how NUST administration provided support for the online initiatives at the highest levels.
The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the critical role online education plays in making learning more inclusive, accessible, and adaptable to the diverse needs of students. As technology advances and the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the importance of platforms like NUST ConnectEd is set to grow, offering new opportunities for learners across Pakistan and beyond. For more information, please visit our website connected.nust.edu.pk