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)

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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

Afghanistan 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 Herat 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 (Kabul University, Herat

University, Balkh University, Kandahar University, Kabul Polytechnic University, Shaheed Rabbani

Education University and Kabul Medical University). 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 education in Afghanistan. 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

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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 Kabul University. Chancellors and

vice chancellors of the eight major universities, where e-learning initiative will be piloted, shall encourage

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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 Development – Ministry of Higher Education

Recitation of Holy Quran

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 Humayun Qayumi

Senior Advisor to the President

Speech on the importance of e-learning curriculum in promoting e-learning in higher education of Afghanistan

Dr. Rebecca Miller Library Director – American University of Afghanistan

Presentation – Information 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 California State University Long Beach

Presentation - Benefits of E-Learning: 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.

Shukria Jamal Acting IT Director - Ministry of Higher Education

Presentation - Necessary IT 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 Masoom Hamdard

Education and Technology Manager Teaching and Learning Manager

Presentation - Relevance of Outcome Based Education and Student Centered Learning to E-Learning. It was a dual presentation 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 Medical University

Presentation - Drafted E-Learning 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 Khawrin

Faculty member of Shaheed Rabbani Education University

Presentation – Drafted E-Learning 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 Ahmad Zia

Faculty member of Computer Science Faculty – Kabul University

Mr. Zia was also moderator of the e-learning bylaw group

Abdul Tawab Balakarzai Academic Vice Chancellor of Kandahar University

Presentation – E-Learning discussion group finding and recommendations

H.E. Professor Mohammad Osman Babury

Deputy Minister of Academic Affairs – Ministry of Higher Education

Closing Ceremony of the conference. The conference was 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 – Nangarhar University

25 Head of Nangarhar University E-Learning Committee – Nangarhar University

26 Dr. Naser Haidari Academic Vice Chancellor – Balkh University

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