LAHORE: In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Government College University (GCU) seems to be moving swiftly towards the completion of switching completely to virtual teaching for students of all degree programmes.
In this regard, the respective chairpersons have been directed to maintain records of all online classes, digital handouts, and recorded audio and video lectures besides ensuring necessary training and facilitation of faculty members by the newly formed Directorate of Information Technology (IT).
According to reports, GCU Vice Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr Asghar Zaidi also formed a WhatsApp group comprising all chairpersons and faculty deans to regularly monitor the progress of the new teaching system.
In his message here on Wednesday, Professor Zaidi said that the unusual situation due to COVID-19 posed additional challenges to all communities which is why it is the need of the hour that they adapt and adopt innovative ways to tackle these challenges.
He said that most departments of GCU, including History, Physical Education, Botany, Environmental Science, Urdu, Sociology, Political Science, Commerce & Finance and English etc. have switched to online classes whereas some of the departments like the Physics department will soon be online too.
He said that besides GCU’s Learning Management System (GCU-LMS), academic departments were also using various pre-existing and readily available Android/IOS/Windows applications such as Zoom, Skype, Google Classroom, Instagram live chats, e-mails, WhatsApp groups, recorded lectures and others tools for education.
The VC admitted that departments like Fine Arts are facing more challenges as 70 per cent of their education was practical and studio-based, however, art students would be given home-based assignments. “Extra measures are also being taken for those who have returned to their homes in far flung areas where internet connectivity is an issue,” he added.
He directed that all department chairpersons keep students engaged virtually and find innovative ways to pass on teaching and training.
“The misconception that these are holidays for the students and staff should come to an end,” he emphasised, adding that extra measures to fulfil the remaining requirements of the courses would be taken once the campus reopens.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Zaidi said the university would consider reimbursing at least the internet costs of those faculty members and students of remote areas who may need new connections for their online classes. “However, the students who have the required means at hand must not look for excuses to evade their studies,” he concluded.
