SU marches ahead with mulling online- options-readiness to combat imminent extension in lockdown span
We are exploring both online as well as offline options we may need to transit to, in case we get compelled by the pandemic picture to undergo closure of campuses, as is feared; even after the present mark of May 31. We may develop live recordings of laboratory work including practicals and experiment demonstrations by faculty, put it into various storage mediums, and later transmit it to students through possible and available digital and internet sources. This we may do specifically for the Faculties of Pharmacy and Natural Sciences.
This said SU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Burfat while chairing an online video-conference meeting with SU Faculty of Pharmacy.
The VC said they were brought to combat perilous problems, mandating unparalled strategies to cope academic losses that were likely to incur on account of turbulence, disturbance and impediments caused by the pandemic Corona literally crippling institutions to carry on in normal course academic activity.
Dr. Burfat added that they needed to explore and introduce innovative, dramatic and novel online, virtual teaching-learning options to minimize academic and research damage that had become too very conspicuous in the ongoing epidemic crisis and subsequent mass immobility across the globe.
The Vice Chancellor was joined in this online discussion by Dean Faculty of Pharmacy Prof. Dr. Abdullah Dayo, SU Registrar Dr. Ameer Ali Abro, Institute Directors, Department Chairpersons and faculty from within the Faculty domain.
Dean Dr. Dayo informed the Vice Chancellor that all teachers had already conferred students with 40 marks assignments that would be accounting for the midterm examinations they would have taken if all were normal.
The Varsity’s Director Internet Services Dr. Yasir Arafat Malkani informed that they were working on a parallel plan that comprised two options: A and B. He added that as per option A they were exploiting social media tools like email communication, FaceBook page links, Google devices, and WhatsApp streams to academically interact with students; adding that as per option B they were developing a full-fledged and efficient Virtual Learning Management System (VLMS) with a view to integrating teaching-learning materials being prepared by faculty through student E-portal medium and other online domains if the lockdown situation prevailed beyond anticipated timeframe.
Academic Heads of various teaching departments of the Faculty of Pharmacy shared with Dr. Burfat that they had already impressed upon faculty within their respective venues to begin working on developing and designing online teaching modules to administer in case the need be.
Thanking all in connectivity, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Burfat expressed the hope that by unflinching faith and academic devotion; they would be able to overpower the epidemic threat consequences at the campus.
