SMCS-IBA hosted a one-day workshop on "Capacity Building in Online Education in Pakistan" under the esteemed RAPIDE Erasmus+ project

On January 31, 2025: The School of Mathematics and Computer Science (SMCS), the Institute of Business Administration, hosted a one-day workshop on "Capacity Building in Online Education in Pakistan" under the esteemed RAPIDE Erasmus+ project. The event brought together representatives from HEC and HEIs across Pakistan to explore innovative strategies for online education and the role of AI in academia.

The workshop commenced with a heartfelt welcome address by Dr. Shakeel Khoja, Dean of SMCS, IBA Karachi, followed by an inspiring speech by the Guest of Honor, Prof. Dr. Asif Ahmed Shaikh, Vice Chancellor, Sukkur IBA University. He highlighted the critical importance of collaboration and capacity building to advance digital education in Pakistan.

Workshop Highlights:
"Didactics of E-Learning" by Waseem Arain, Assistant Professor at SMCS IBA, who shared best practices for online teaching. "Managing Large Classrooms in Online Settings" by Dr Tayyaba Tamim, Dean of the School of Education at LUMS and faculty lead for the Pedagogical Partnership Programme at the LUMS Learning Institute, and Dr. Zubair Khalid, Associate Professor at LUMS, focusing on strategies for engaging students in virtual classrooms.

"Assessments in Online Education" by Dr. Sher Muhammad Daudpota, Professor of Computer Science and Director of Postgraduate Studies at Sukkur IBA University, discussing fair and reliable evaluation methods for digital platforms. Insights on Pakistan’s EdTech landscape by Sana Khalid, Head of SABAQ, highlighting challenges and opportunities in EdTech implementation.

A key highlight of the workshop was the panel discussion on the "Ecosystem of Online Education in Pakistani HEIs," moderated by Dr. Shakeel Khoja. Esteemed panelists included:
Prof. Dr. Javed Ahmed, Professor of Computer Science, Sukkur IBA University, Prof. Dr. Sher Muhammad Daudpota, Professor of Computer Science and Director of Postgraduate Studies, Sukkur IBA University, Dr. Tayyaba Tamim, Dean of the School of Education at LUMS, Mehwish Jabbar, HEC representative., Hassan Bin Rizwan, CEO of SABAQ and Moonshot Animations.

Dr. Abaidullah Anwar from HEC concluded with a presentation on the Online and Distance Learning Policy, outlining actionable steps to expand virtual learning opportunities across Pakistan.

This workshop served as a vibrant platform for educators, policymakers, and technologists to exchange ideas and chart a path toward a more inclusive and innovative digital education ecosystem.

A heartfelt thank you to all the speakers, panelists, and participants for making this event a resounding success! Together, we’re redefining the future of education in Pakistan.