Online learning management system priority: Awkum VC

MARDAN: Matters pertaining to academic research and quality of education were discussed at a recent meeting between Secretary Higher Education Department Daud Khan and Vice-Chancellor Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan (Awkum) Dr Zahoorul Haq.

A statement from the university said Daud Khan inspected various educational, research and construction projects of the university during his visit. Faculty members and administrative officers were also present.

Prof Dr Zahoor-ul-Haq said that the introduction of online learning management system (LMS) was a priority of the university to continue teaching in the difficult situation of Corona pandemic, as per the directives of the government and Higher Education Commission Islamabad

The VC said work is also in progress but this year the examinations of the affiliated colleges have also been given through the online LMS platform. Daud Khan expressed his interest in the LMS and said that it is a great achievement by Awkum, which has also made this programme accessible to other universities in the province. “Universities are centres of higher learning and research; therefore, universities should stay away from political issues and formulate a policy that will provide education and training to the youth,” he said.

He also visited the new Pakhtunkhwa Economic Policy Research Institute (Pepri). Prof Dr Zahoorul Haq briefed the guest on various parts of the Institute. The VC said that in the Pakhtunkhwa Economic Policy Research Institute he was enlisting the help of experts and scientists from all over Pakistan in formulating economic policy. “Special attention is given to agriculture, especially higher education, and newspaper advertisements have been published for the vacancies which will be filled on merit. Experts in various fields will conduct research and record the data in the form of a book for making policies, thus contributing to KP’s economic policies’ formulation in the future,” said Dr Zahoorul Haq.

Daud Khan appreciated the progress made by the university in such a short period of time, and said the ranking of the university is an indicator in this regard and assured the support of the HED to the university. He also appreciated the vice-chancellor for improving the university and establishing Pepri in Awkum and given its strategic mandate, extended full support for its funding in future.