Karachi: Due to the recent coronavirus crisis, the whole education system has been uprooted. Educational institutions are forced to lockdown among which also includes universities. In order to continue the process of education, academicians have to come up with a substitute to teach students. Therefore online classes are the best possible options. However, this option comes with its own set of complexities. Faculty and students are facing issues during online lectures and exams.
Referring to the current situation of COVID-19, Baqai Medical University hosted a webinar session on an online assessment of students. With the panelists including Dr. Usman Mehboob. Director IHPER, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Dr. Syed Moyn Ali. Director of Medical education, Jinnah Sindh Medical University Karachi, Professor Rehan A Khan. Assistant Dean, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Dr. Kashif Iqram, Principal at Baqai Dental College, Dr. Ahsan Sethi, Consultant Medical Education, Baqai Medical University and Professor Junaid Sarfraz. Registrar National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi
The moderator for the event was Dr. Shams Nadeem Alam, Director, Medical Education, Baqai Medical University.
The webinar covered topics of SWOT analysis and quality assurance. It was discussed that institutes should utilize SWOT to manage things online but the priority should always be given to quality assurance for the online education system
Dr. Usman highlighted that every institute should evaluate their available resources before taking any step because it has been difficult to manage fairness and honesty in this system. “One shoe cannot fit for all. We are used to having a uniform homogeneous policy which in this situation probably is not working,” he told.
Dr. Syed Moyn added that teaching everything online in the medical field could not possible and thus, some components have to be postponed. “Learn to invest in Information Technology,” he urged.
Moreover, Professor Rehan Akram discussed different software for online teaching to be implemented. He shared various methods of student assessment such as an open book or online viva. “No student can be passed without proper assessment,” he informed.
Furthermore, Professor Junaid added that the online academic committee has been set up which was closely working with institutes and students to improve the system and resolve issues. “Management and students should come together and work for possible solutions,” he said.
In the end, Dr. Ahsan Sethi held a Q/A session with the panelists. Lastly, Dr. Kashif Iqram thanked all the panelists and moderators for participating in the webinar.
-DN Report
Dr Muattar Hanif
The author is Editor at Dental News Pakistan and can be reached at newsdesk@medicalnewsgroup.com.pk
