The meeting was attended by Prof. Dr. N. B. Jumani, Professor, Department of Educational Leadership and Management, IIUI, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Javed Iqbal, Ex-Dean Faculty of Education, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad (Expert), Prof. Dr. Ishtiaq Hussain, Professor (Rtd) Institute of Education and Research, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat (Member), Dr. Shagufta Akhtar, Associate Professor/Director ORIC, Foundation University Islamabad (Member) along with Chairpersons of Departments, internal members and supervisors.

The meeting commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sarwar, Dean Faculty of Education, IIUI, Chairman BoF, extended a warm welcome to the external experts and members. He expressed gratitude for their valuable contributions to the advancement of education at IIUI.

The meeting included discussions on the research proposals of PhD and MS scholars from the Department of Educational Leadership and Management and Department of Teacher Education.

The experts commented that the Faculty of Education at IIUI remains committed to fostering excellence in education and research as evident in the robust discussions and progress made during the 13th BoF meeting.

Dr. Muhammad Khalid Mehmood comprehensively discussed the accreditation standards for teacher education and the research areas for the MS & Doctoral students. He also highlighted the tools of accreditation and the procedure of assessment of academic programs. At the end, faculty members raised the questions regarding role of NACTE and the session was concluded with a critical discussion on the existing and future Role of NACTE in enhancing the quality of teacher education programs. Dr. Muhammad Khalid Mehmood sensitized the faculty members/supervisors about the research areas identified by NACTE for MS and Doctoral research students in the field of education.

The program was attended by Dr. Shamsa Aziz, Chairperson, Department of Teacher Education, IIUI. Dr. Azhar Mehmood, Chairperson, Department of Educational Leadership & Management, IIUI. Dr. Muhammad Zafar Iqbal In-Charge, Department of Teacher Education, IIUI. Dr. Zarina Akhtar, Assistant Professor, Dr. Munazza Mehmood, Assistant Professor, Dr. Humara Akram, Assistant Professor, Dr. Sher Baz, Assistant Professor, Dr. Sufi Amin, Assistant Professor and Dr. Muhammad Nasir Khan. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sarwar, Dean Faculty of Education appreciated the efforts of Department of Teacher Education for organizing such successful session.

Dr. Alina Raza (Incharge Academic Affairs DTE), delivered a detailed introduction of Faculty members of Department of Teacher Education.

Dr. Munazza Mahmood (Incharge Programs ELM), warmly welcomed the new students and gave a brief introduction of faculty members in the Department of Educational Leadership and Management.

Dr. Azhar Mahmood, (Chairperson, Department of ELM), highly acknowledge the determinations of Prof. Dr. Samina Malik (Rector, IIUI ) Prof. Dr. N. B Jumani (VP A & F), to uplift the faculty. He emphasized on the development of moral values, character building, sense of loyalty and honesty in the students. He further encouraged the students for their maximum participation in community outreach and society improvement.

Dr. Shamsa Aziz, (Chairperson Department of Teacher education) advised students in her welcome address to set high personal and academic standards for optimal growth in new journey. She also encouraged the newly enrolled students to take advantage of their new position in IIUI, as one of the Pakistan’s premier international institutions.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sarwar (Dean Faculty of Education), graced the session with his remarkable words that, education is a lifelong pursuit that can have a significant impact on your present and future and when you invest on education it can change your life and provide excellent career prospects through skill development and constructive approach.

Prof. Dr. Khalid Khurshid, Professor of Education at Bahauddin Zakria University Multan was the resource person of the training program. Prof. Dr. Khurshid elaborated the strategies for managing supervision of MS & Doctoral dissertations. Prof. Dr. Khalid Khurshid highlighted the effective usage of tools such as “Spinbot,” and “iThenticate.” while supervising the dissertations. Prof. Khurshid discussed the evidence-based strategies to stop fake academic writings.

Prof Dr Muhammad Sarwar, Dean, Faculty of Education, expressed gratitude towards Prof. Dr. Khalid Khurshid for his invaluable insights and significant contributions in training the faculty members.

As per instructions of the prestigious Leadership of International Islamic University Islamabad and Higher Education Commission, Islamabad, a seminar was conducted at Faculty of Education, IIUI on August 23, 2023 for the extensive training of the faculty members of Faculty of Education to enhance their academic potential for supervising MS and Doctoral dissertations.
Dr. Azhar Mehmood, Chairman, Department of Educational Leadership and Management, Faculty of Education, IIUI served as the resource person for the training. Dr. Azhar Mehmood is the Master Trainer of Higher Education Commission Islamabad for training the faculty members to strengthen their capacity for supervising MS and Doctoral dissetations. Dr. Azhar Mehmood got training at Higher Education Commission Islamabad that was conducted with the collaboration of British Council and Coventry University, United Kingdom. All the faculty members of Faculty of Education ensured their presence. The training was started with the recitation of verses of Holy Quran. Dr. Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, In-Charge, Department of Teacher education, IIUI was the focal person for the training program. Dr. Muhammad Zafar Iqbal introduced the aims and objectives of the training. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sarwar, Dean of the Faculty of Education, chaired the training session and highlighted the need and importance of this training for the capacity building of faculty members in supervising MS and Doctoral dissertations. Dr. Mehmood’s sessions spanned a range of crucial areas including i. Strategies to address casual behavior among students, ii. The importance and methodology of SWOT analysis, iii. Effective conflict resolution techniques, iv. Addressing trust deficit within educational institutions, v. The role and significance of doctors’ advisory committees.

The faculty members shared their experiences of supervising and elaborated the problems and challenges while supervising the dissertations.

This series of seminars is a comprehensive and significant step to address the problems and challenges in supervising the MS and Doctoral dissertations. At the end of training session, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sarwar appreciated the efforts of Faculty of Education for organizing such a beneficial training program for the faculty members.

Dr. Zafar Iqbal began by emphasizing the pivotal role teachers’ play in molding the future generation. He stressed that effective teaching requires a combination of subject knowledge, pedagogical skills, and continuous growth. Universities, as centers of learning and research, have a vital responsibility in nurturing these qualities.

According to Dr. Iqbal Zafar, universities can contribute to teacher professional development in several ways:

Curriculum Enhancement: Universities design teacher education programs that align with the latest educational theories, teaching methods, and technological advancements. They equip aspiring teachers with the necessary knowledge and skills to deliver effective lessons.

Research and Innovation: Universities foster a culture of research and innovation among teachers. By engaging in research projects, educators can enhance their understanding of teaching methodologies, identify best practices, and contribute to the evolution of the education field.

Continuous Learning: Professional development is a lifelong journey. Universities offer workshops, seminars, and courses for in-service teachers, enabling them to update their skills and stay current with changing educational trends.

Mentorship and Guidance: Experienced university faculty members can act as mentors to young teachers, providing valuable insights and guidance throughout their careers. This mentorship helps teachers refine their teaching strategies and overcome challenges.

Networking Opportunities: Universities provide platforms for teachers to connect with peers, share experiences, and collaborate on projects. This collaborative environment fosters a sense of community and encourages the exchange of ideas.

Dr. Iqbal also highlighted challenges that universities need to address, such as adapting to technology-driven learning environments and catering to diverse student needs. He emphasized the need for universities to continually evolve their teacher education programs to meet these challenges effectively.

In conclusion, Dr. Zafar Iqbal’s seminar shed light on the indispensable role that universities play in shaping the professional development of teachers. By offering well-designed programs, encouraging research, providing mentorship, and fostering a culture of lifelong learning, universities contribute significantly to enhancing the quality of education and preparing teachers to meet the demands of modern classrooms. The seminar left the audience with a deeper understanding of the critical relationship between higher education institutions and effective teaching practices.

Session 1: Parents-Teachers Relationship

Dr. Zafar Iqbal emphasized the pivotal role of a strong parent-teacher relationship in shaping a student’s academic success. He highlighted the need for open and transparent communication, allowing parents to stay updated about their child’s progress and address any challenges together. The seminar stressed the importance of mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation between parents and teachers to create a conducive learning environment for students.

Key Points:

Regular Parent-Teacher Conferences: Scheduled meetings provide a platform for parents and teachers to discuss a student’s strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement.

Two-way Communication: Encouraging parents to share insights about their child’s behavior, interests, and learning style helps teachers tailor their approach for better outcomes.

Supportive Partnership: Collaborative efforts between parents and teachers reinforce a student’s holistic development, instilling values and skills beyond academics.

Session 2: Admission Campaign of International Islamic University Islamabad

Dr. Zafar Iqbal shed light on the admission campaign strategies employed by the International Islamic University to attract potential students.

Key Points:

Diverse Outreach: The University leveraged various mediums, including social media, educational fairs, and community events, to reach a wider audience.

Clear Value Proposition: The campaign highlighted the university’s unique selling points, such as quality education, diverse faculty, and commitment to Islamic values.

Engaging Content: Eye-catching visuals, success stories of alumni, and interactive sessions created a sense of belonging and aspiration among prospective students.

The seminar underscored the pivotal role of a strong parent-teacher relationship in a student’s educational journey. It also showcased the effective strategies employed in the International Islamic University’s admission campaign, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to quality education and holistic growth.

The insights provided by Speaker Dr. Zafar Iqbal offered a comprehensive understanding of aspects, inspiring educators and institutions to enhance parent-teacher collaboration and implement successful admission campaigns in their respective contexts.

Setting Boundaries with Empathy: Establishing clear boundaries and rules while empathizing with a child’s feelings helps in maintaining a healthy balance between discipline and compassion. Creating a Learning Environment: Transforming the home into a stimulating learning environment enhances a child’s curiosity and love for knowledge, nurturing a lifelong passion for learning.

Celebrating Progress and Effort: Acknowledging and celebrating a child’s achievements, no matter how small, builds their self-confidence and motivation to excel. Modeling Positive Behavior: Being role models for kindness, respect, and perseverance sets the foundation for children to emulate and develop their values.

Collaborating with Educators: Engaging with teachers and schools actively allows parents to stay updated on their child’s progress and coordinate efforts for comprehensive development. The attendees expressed immense gratitude for the eye-opening session, noting that they now feel empowered to take an active part in their children’s education and overall growth. Many shared their plans to implement the tips and techniques in their daily routines, aiming to strengthen their parent-child bonds and create a nurturing environment for optimal learning and development. Dr. Zafar Iqbal concluded the seminar by encouraging parents to view themselves as integral partners in the TLP, emphasizing that their involvement and dedication are key to unlocking their children’s potential and ensuring a brighter future.

The esteemed speaker, Dr. Zarina Akhter, highlighted the pressing need for a holistic approach to education that transcends the boundaries of traditional classrooms. According to the expert, when families, schools, and communities work together in harmony, they create a powerful support system that significantly impacts a child’s educational journey and overall development. Throughout the address, the speaker shed light on several key aspects of the collaborative approach: Engaged Parents and Guardians: The speaker underscored the vital role of parents and guardians in a child’s educational progress. By actively participating in their child’s learning, parents can provide valuable support, encouragement, and motivation, which can greatly boost academic achievement. Teachers as Facilitators: The educational expert emphasized that teachers are not just providers of knowledge but facilitators of learning. They must actively communicate with parents, keeping them informed about their child’s progress, strengths, and areas for improvement. Community Involvement: The speaker stressed the significance of involving the local community in the education process. By integrating community resources and expertise, schools can offer a more comprehensive and diverse learning experience to students. Fostering a Supportive Environment: Creating an inclusive and supportive environment is crucial for every student’s well-being. Collaborative efforts from families, schools, and communities can help address issues like bullying, mental health concerns, and overall student safety. Enhanced Extracurricular Activities: The speaker advocated for expanding extracurricular programs that involve the active participation of families and communities. These activities not only broaden students’ skill sets but also provide opportunities for bonding and networking. Home-School Partnerships: Encouraging open lines of communication between schools and families were highlighted as a vital aspect of the collaborative approach. Regular meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and workshops can foster mutual understanding and strengthen the home-school bond. The educational speaker’s compelling address has ignited a renewed interest in prioritizing “Family, School, and Community Collaboration” within educational institutions and policymaking circles. Leaders in the education sector are now discussing strategies to implement the speaker’s recommendations, aiming to create an all-encompassing educational ecosystem that nurtures students’ potential to the fullest. As the call for collaboration reverberates across the education landscape, parents, teachers, and community members are joining forces with a shared vision – to provide every child with an empowering, enriching, and holistic learning experience. Participant showed a keen interest and after the seminar successful Question/Answer session was held.

In the end, certificates were presented to the organizing committee as well as the participants.

Addressing the audience, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Shuja Syed, the Vice President of Research and Enterprise (R&E), IIUI and (Academics), IIUI, commended the organizing committee for their efforts in successfully hosting the conference. He emphasized the importance of appreciating the entire team and encouraged the continuation of this tradition to maintain the motivation of employees. Furthermore, he stressed the need to develop interventions based on the conference’s recommendations and proposed sending a copy of the conference report to relevant sections of the Government of Pakistan for consideration in the formulation of policies related to online education.

The conference report was then presented to Prof. Dr. Ahmed Shuja Syed by the conference co-chairs. This report will serve as a valuable resource to inform future initiatives and policy decisions regarding the transition of traditional universities to online mode.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sarwar, the Dean of the Faculty of Education and co-chair of the conference, extended a warm welcome to the guests and expressed his appreciation for the support provided by various sections of the university. He acknowledged the significant contributions from the Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC), Protocol and Public Relations, Transport, Purchase and Store, Finance, Audit, IT, Security, and IT departments.

Dr. Sarwar speaking during the certificate distribution ceremony added that the successful conclusion of the International Conference on Transition of Traditional Universities to Online Mode (ICTTUOM) is the matchless effort of the entire team and supporting teams from university.

In the closing remarks, Prof. Dr. Asmat Ullah Khan, the Director of the Directorate of Distance Learning, expressed his gratitude to the organizing teams for their remarkable efforts. He highlighted the utmost importance of online education in the Pakistani education system, underscoring the need for continued advancements in this field.

Dr. Fouzia Ajmal, the focal person of the conference speaking during the closing ceremony said that the organizing team comprising the Directorate of Distance Learning and the Faculty of Education worked tirelessly to ensure the conference’s success. The event was made possible through collaboration with the Iqbal Institute for Research and Dialogue (IRD), IIUI and received support from the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), and various sections of the university.

During the ceremony, Dr. Fouzia Ajmal provided a comprehensive overview of the conference and highlighted its key recommendations. She expressed gratitude to every individual who contributed to the event, emphasizing their invaluable role in making the conference a positive and rewarding experience for all participants.

The seminar was attended by Prof. Dr. Nabi Bux Jumani, Vice President Administration and Finance IIUI, Dr. Nasir Mehmood Acting Vice Chancellor AIOU, Dr. Shahid Saddiqui, Dean of Social Sciences at NUML, Dr. Muhammad Sarwar, Dean Faculty of Education, Dr. Shamsa Aziz, Chairperson Department of Teacher Education (FOE), IIUI, Dr. Salma Nazar Khan FJWU, Dr. Wajeeha Shahid NUML, senior faculty Members, large number of male and female students and guests.

Speakers of the seminar highlighted the importance of educational policies in Pakistan and emphasized on critical analyses of the gap that exists in implementation of educational policies.

Prof. Dr. Nasir Mehmood, Acting Vice Chancellor AIOU, emphasized on book reading to enhance knowledge about educational policies and to find a way to implement educational policies in educational context to become a successful nation.

Addressing the seminar participants Dr. Jumani emphasized the study on educational policies in Pakistan to identify the gap in knowledge about educational policies, projections and their implementation. He highlighted that the young researchers will have an opportunity in gaining insightful knowledge on educational policies through this Seminar. This will help young researchers conduct authentic and genuine research on educational policies.

Dr. Shahid Saddiqui, Shared his experience about what grabbed his attention regarding policies. He addressed that he analyzed all the policies and trends in his books as there was no collection of educational policies and analysis. In order to fill this gap Dr. Saddiqui analyzed all the educational policies and current educational scenarios in his book Educational Policies in Pakistan: Politics, Projections & Practices to provide reliable and realistic information, easily accessible to researchers.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sarwar, Dean Faculty of Education, IIUI highlighted that every concept of education should be linked with educational policies. He said that through proper implementation of educational policies we will be able to fulfill the national needs.

Dr. Fouzia Ajmal talked on important aspects of educational policies to enhance knowledge about all educational policies and to find solutions to all educational problems.

Dr. Salma Nazar Khan highlighted the dimensions of education by analyzing educational policies and emphasized on the concept of Islamization and modernization and also emphasized that participants will be able to find answers to critical queries regarding educational policies and their implementation. She also talked about the credibility of data and emphasized its importance for research purposes.

Dr. Wajeeha Shahid, Associate Professor NUML, highlighted the importance of critical analysis of educational policies in order to provide direction for professional development and personal development.

At the end Dr. Shamsa Aziz, Chairperson Department of Teacher Education (FOE), IIUI highlighted the importance of policies, shared her experiences on this occasion and thanked all the participants of Seminar.

Dr. Shamsa Aziz, Chairperson Department of Teacher Education, Dr. Munazza Mahmood, Dr. Zarina Akhter, Dr. Fouzia Ajmal, Dr. Humera Akram and Ms. Sumaira Batool graced the occasion. They lauded the efforts of the students and congratulated Ms. Aneela Alam Gill on successfully arranging the event. A large number of students and departmental staff also attended the event.

Traditional attires, mouthwatering cuisines and traditional literature from around the country were displayed. It was a great opportunity for students to embrace their heritage, share their unique customs, and celebrate the beauty of diversity.

They came together as a community to appreciate and honor our cultural diversities, build bridges of understanding, and celebrate the invaluable contributions of every culture.

Together, we can create a more inclusive and harmonious future.

Former Ambassador Asif Durrani, Prof. Dr. Haroona Jatoi, Former Joint Educational Advisor, Curriculum Wing, Dr. Mariam Chaughtai, Prof. Dr. Samina Malik, Vice President, Female Campus, IIUI were included among experts. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sarwar, Dean, Faculty of Education presented the recommendations of the series of dialogue. Dr. Azhar Mahamood, Chairman, Department of ELM, Dr. Shamsa Aziz, Chairperson Department of Teacher Education, Dr. Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Incharge, Department of Teacher Education. Dr. Munazza Mahmood, Dr. Zarina Akhatar and Dr. Fouzia Ajmal were included in the IIUI delegation. A large number of students, researchers and media persons also attended the roundtable talk. All speakers focused on personality development and grooming of the students, highlighted the vitality of empowerment of youth by making them more responsible and critical thinkers. Speakers highlighted that we need to teach ethical norms, etiquettes, co-existence and tolerance to our youth. Honourable Ambassador Dr. Raza Muhammad, HI(M), President, IPRI appreciated the active role IIUI in arranging the Grand National Dialogue on Sustainable Educational Development and wished for further collaboration with Faculty of Education, IIUI.

Participants of a two day International conference on “transition of traditional universities to online mode” organized by Directorate of Distance Learning Faculty of Education of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) have called for developing a comprehensive legislative framework for indigenous digital culture. They opined that teachers should be fully equipped with the digital skills to create collaborative learning environment in online distance learning mod of education.

In this conference that was held here at the Faisal Masjid Campus, the participants recommended that using the best of traditional and online instruction to develop a better future for higher education, four level competencies are important for media literacy including media knowledge, media analysis, media critics and media creation. The conference experts and speakers also agreed that universities need a three-pronged approach across strategy, policy and pedagogy to identify the right hybrid model for their institution and students. They suggested to combine outcome based education with e- learning and observe students behaviors and their interaction styles using Learning Management System , and provide insights on their progress.

In the conference, participants addressed the emerging issues and challenges in the distance education and e-learning. Renowned national and international academicians and researchers expressed views on the ultimate possibilities and guidelines for the maximum role of distance education and e-learning in the national development.

More than 300 researchers, keynote speakers, educationists, experts are participating and it will witness around 70 papers from the presenters hailing from Austria, USA, Lebanon and Pakistan who will participate in conference physically and through online mode.

The participants discussed adaptation to new technologies ,best practices in online learning , blended learning , communication challenges in e- learning during covid-19 , e-learning strategies, evaluation in online learning, future of online learning for universities, learning management systems, needs and challenges of online learning and research models & paradigms in online learning.

Addressing the concluding ceremony as Chief Guest, Dr. Shahid Mehmood Baig, Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) said that after the pandemic, the education has a new landscape and online teaching and learning has emerged as the leading mode of learning. He said there are challenges in the country when we talk about ODL that can be catered and it can pave the way towards easy and quality education. He elaborated the scope and programs of PSF and offered maximum support for such initiatives and conferences. He also called for increasing the spending on the science and technology mentioning that things have started to get better through support of government. He stressed upon launching competitive research programs hoping that HEC and universities will keep contributing in best manner in this regards.

The concluding ceremony of the conference was also attended by Acting President, Professor Dr Nabi Bux Jumani.

Professor Dr. Samina Malik, Vice President Female Campus said in her address that education makes the fate of nations, the transition in education because of technology has changed the landscape of learning. She added that distance learning, blended learning and online modes have proved that online mode is one of the best models for teaching and learning. She opined that future belongs to the online learning, yet we still have a long way to go as there are many challenges in the country to acquire, learn and implement these technologies. She said there are many challenges such as accessibility of internet. She also highlighted the importance of assessment factor in the teaching and learning in the online modes.

Professor Dr. Muhammad Sarwar, Dean Faculty of Education thanked the IIUI management and collaborators for the support in organizing the two day conference. He also highlighted the importance of transition towards ODL. Dr. Asmatullah Khan, Director Directorate of Distance Learning, Dean computing IIUI in his vote of thanks hailed the cooperation of the collaborators and thanked for active participation of national and international speakers and participants. Earlier, Dr. Fouzia Ajmal, focal person presented the report and recommendation of the conference. She told that more than 30 universities are partcipated in this conference through participants and speakers.

The International speakers included Prof. Dr. Thomas Alfred Bauer (University of Vienna, Austria), Prof. Dr Victoria S. Brown Professor of Teaching and Learning Florida Atlantic University USA, Prof. Maha R. Sourani (Lebanese University Lebanon) and Ms Ramya Srinivasan (Customer Success Director Coursera) joined virtually. The national key note speakers included Prof Dr. Shoab A Khan National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Prof. Dr. Tamim Ahmad Khan Bahria University Islamabad , Prof. Dr. Tanveer Afzal (Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad) and Prof. Dr. Asmat Ullah Khan Dean Faculty of Computing/Director DDL IIUI.

International conference on “transition of traditional universities to online mode” organized by Faculty of Education of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) commenced here at the Faisal Masjid Campus on Wednesday , May 10^th.

The conference is being organized by Directorate of Distance Learning and Faculty of Education in collaboration with Iqbal International Institute of Research & Dialogue, Higher Education Commission & Pakistan Science Foundation.

In the conference participants addressed the emerging issues and challenges in the distance education and e-learning. Renowned national and international academicians and researchers expressed views on the ultimate possibilities and guidelines for the maximum role of distance education and e-learning in the national development.

In this two day conference more than 300 researchers, keynote speakers, educationists, experts are participating and it will witness around 70 papers from the presenters hailing from Austria, USA, Lebanon and Pakistan who will participate in conference physically and through online mode.

The participants discussed adaptation to new technologies ,best practices in online learning , blended learning , communication challenges in e- learning during covid-19 , e-learning strategies, evaluation in online learning, future of online learning for universities, learning management systems, needs and challenges of online learning and research models & paradigms in online learning.

Addressing the conference, Acting President, Dr. Nabi Bux Jumani said the distance and open learning is one of the leading modes of education across the world and recent episode of pandemic has identified the need and utilization of online educational and learning globally. He shared IIUI’s response to the Covid wave telling that university through its distance learning platform continued uninterrupted education. He said the upcoming national ODL policy shall pave way for flourishing of ODL system and most of the universities shall start work on it after notification of ODL policy. He hailed the organizers of the conference for arranging a valuable conference on an important topic. He said at this is the age of online and distance mode of education and shrinking resources demand adoption of online distance learning.

Dean Faculty of education, Dr. Muhammad sarwar said that transition of the traditional universities to online mode is helpful in addressing the issues of education being faced by developing countries. He added it takes education to the door step addressing the issues of teachers with a better quality. Dr Sarwar maintained that the online education has bridged the distances between the students and the educational institutions. He elaborated that the conference aims to explore challenges and recommendations to solve the issues in the transition towards online mode.

Director General Quality Assurance Directorate, Nasir Shah said that HEC is working on ODL policy that has been prepared in consultation with the academia of Pakistan. He said soon this policy shall be in place after approval from Higher Education Commission. He stressed upon the universities to focus on transformation of technology. Dr. Asmatullah Khan, Director Directorate of Distance Learning, Dean computing IIUI discussed advancements in technology and its utilization for education. He said in the coming age ODL will be the first choice of the universities. He also apprised of the efforts of universities for promotion of its online courses.

Dr. Fouzia Ajmal, being the focal person apprised of the themes and details of the conference. She told that more than 30 universities are participating in this conference through participants and speakers. She said entire world is focusing its attention on digital transformation, innovation and the use of technology in the education sector. She added Higher Education Commission is helping universities to adopt smart classrooms, blended learning mode of education and hybrid learning systems.

MS Scholars were the program host and faculty members of other departments also joined the seminar. The seminar began at 10:00am with the recitation of the Holy Quran. The blessing of reciting the Holy Quran was achieved by MS Scholar Mehwish Bashir.

Dr Zarina Akhtar, Assistant Professor of teacher education presented the introduction of “qualitative data analysis techniques and softwares”.

Dr. Fatima Batool, (adjunct Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education), introduced about research and its types by probing questions through brainstorming among students and engages us in an activity. She briefly explained about data collection methods and methods of qualitative data analysis, its approaches, its characteristics, analyzing qualitative data process, coding process, its limitations and affordances and about its various softwares such as QDAS, MAXQDA, and Nvivo.

Dr. Fatima Maqsood, (Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education), effectively explains the whole process to use Nvivo software for QDAAfter the valuable lecture of guest speakers the Moderators of MS and PHD scholars asked questions to explore more queries about “qualitative data analysis techniques and softwares”.

In closing remarks, Prof. Dr. Munazza Mahmood (Incharge Department of Educational Leadership and Management, Female Campus, IIUI) Addressed by Chief Guest. She thanked and appreciated to organizing team of MS and teacher, Dr Zarina Akhtar (Assistant Professor of Teacher Education) for organizing such a valuable and informative seminar for students which not only supports them during their MS program but throughout the career.

At the end at 12:00 pm certificates were awarded to resource persons, Prof. Dr. Munazza Mahmood and the whole organizing team of MS scholars and after that capture moments with guest speakers, faculty staff and whole organizing team.

Dr. Fouzia Ajmal, Assistant Professor (focal Person of the activity) presented the introduction of the guest lecture.

Dr. Khalid Mehmood, Secretary NACTE was the Guest Speaker of seminar. Firstly he shared his valuable life experience with students and motivated the students for teacher education. He introduced about accreditation councils in Pakistan in general and National Accreditation Council for Teacher Education in particular along with details of its tools, and their role in their respective fields. The aim of the NACTE is to serve and promote excellence in teacher education programs. He explained about accreditation standards and operationalization of standards, their elements and its quality indicators. He further mentioned that NACTE has trained the evaluators to assess the programs and collect data and for this purpose they built soft wares to analyze data to assess the area of weakness.

After the valuable lecture of guest speaker the question answer session was held where queries of participants were addressed. Dr. Azhar Mehmood, Chairperson Department of Educational Leadership and Management addressed the audience mentioning his remarks about NACTE and motivated the students to work hard to sustain their role as prospective teachers. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Amir, Director ORIC mentioned the importance of accreditation councils for students that they must enrolled themselves in such programs which are accredited. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sarwar, Dean Faculty of Education appreciated the Chairperson and Department for taking the initiative and organizing much needed session.

Prof. Dr. Samina Malik (Vice President, Female Campus, IIUI) was the Chief guest of the event. She appreciated the organization of the event and said that the Departments should strive to produce competent teachers having capabilities and skills in using Modern Learning Tools Learner Centered content & Learner designed experiences, Blended learning and using different ways to documenting learning and Assessing for deeper understanding and competency.

In closing remarks, Dr. Shamsa Aziz, Chairperson Department of Teacher Education, thanked guest speaker, Director ORIC, faculty members and students. She appreciated the efforts of the organizing team and especially MS Education S23 scholars for organizing such an informative session.

At the end certificates were awarded to the organizing team.

Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sarwar would like to enlighten the audience with his views. He Paid thanks and was grateful to the guest speaker for spending his precious moments with us and take benefit from his time with us. He focused on values that values are the only component that differentiates between Human and animals. Values are like software that produces results from different outputs. Due to values students and teachers both belong to us. Further He said that values are to teach everyone, and we should practice values. If there are no values, there will be nothing. PhD scholars Mr. Abdullah, Mr. Anwar ul Haq & Mr. Malik Safeer Ejaz also gave the lecture regarding ethics in research.

The Guest Speaker “Dr. Allah Bakhsh Malik” presented his valuable thoughts and said that having a service as faculty member of faculty of education IIU is my family. He said that all teaching methodologies are revealed by Allah to Holy Prophet (PBUH). The attention of the students, which we practice in lesson planning are also revealed in The Holy Quran. The content of knowledge are also revealed by Allah. He further stated that wisdom is a value by which we call students. Knowledge starts with values (Hikmah) by Allah. The best knowledge is that which is infused in your personality. Best lecture is a value.

In closing remarks, Dr. Azhar Mehmood (Chairperson Department of Educational Leadership and Management) thanked guest speakers and faculty members and appreciated the efforts of Ph.D. scholars for organizing such a wonderful seminar.

In the end, certificates were presented to the organizing committee.

Dr. Arshia Mukhtar (Resource person, Faculty of Management Sciences, IIUI), briefed the students about chief aspects of CV and resume, she highlighted that CV is a personal companion till you have secured the job that you seek and its importance cannot be overstated. She also highlighted the aspects of writing ideal CV and techniques to avoid the common mistakes. Moreover, practice of some specific questions can make the interview easy. At the end of session, Dr. Munazza Mahmood,( Incharge), mentioned that, through this type of sessions students get self-confidence and learn how to maximize abilities to convert a job interview into a job offer.

MS and PhD students of Faculty of Education and faculty members participated in the seminar. At the end brief answer questioning session was held in which students were provided opportunities to share their queries and concerns related to the research. Students expressed their keen interest in the seminar and desired that such kind of seminars should be organized regularly for the benefits of the students.

The Dean and the experts appreciated the hard work of the Chairpersons and committees and Incharge Academic Affairs of both Departments for presenting the scheme of studies.

Ms. Sumaira Batool (focal person activities) imparted the comprehensive instructions about rules and regulations of the University with reference to course registration process, attendance policy, grading criteria, scholarship resources and co-curricular activities. She encouraged the students for their maximum participation in healthy activities for effective personality development.

Dr. Munazza Mahmood (Incharge Program Department of ELM) warmly welcomed the new students and gave a brief introduction of the faculty members of the Faculty of Education. Additionally, Dr. Shazia Naureen (Incharge Academic Affairs ELM) emphasized on the development of moral values, character building, sense of loyalty and honesty in the students.

Dr. Shamsa Aziz, (Chairperson Department of Teacher Education) advised students to set high personal and academic standards for optimal growth in new journey. She encouraged the newly enrolled students to take advantage of their stay at IIUI, as one of the world’s premier international institutions.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sarwar (Dean Faculty of Education) graced the session with his concluding remarks that, Education is a lifelong pursuit which can have a significant impact on the present and future of students. He emphasized that when students invest in education it can change their lives and provide better career opportunities. He wished newly admitted students for bright future ahead and appreciated the faculty members and students for organizing the meaningful session.