International Journal of Management Sciences

Vol. 2, No. 6, 2014, 274-279

Effective Online Distance Learning In Pakistan and Challenges

Imdad Ali Bughio1, Qazi Muhammad Moinuddin Abro2, [Link] Shah Rashdi3

Abstract
E-learning is an emerging concept in the academies where education has switched from black board to
multimedia system, in this context, purpose of this study is to find out the significance of the e-learning for
the Master Program and other short courses in order to facilitate the students and professionals of the region
and on distance. This will be new initiative by the MUISTD in this region. In order to achieve the research
objectives, the rationale selection of above methodology based on the gaps and limitations, a mixed
methodology is chosen. Data collection techniques are applied, analysis and interpretation is carried out with
the help of SPSS, MS-Excel and MS-Word.
Keywords: E-learning, ICT, Education, ODL

1. Introduction
E-Learning or Electronic learning is the term used to describe all learning that has an electronic
dimension to it. E-Learning or Electronic learning is the concept for the learning methods through the ICT.
E-learning is a merge of learning, ICT and internet. E-learning is a shared and dynamic. E-Learning
interconnects different learners, experts, colleagues, and professional peers, both in and outside the
organization. E-Learning is comprehensive e-Learning that enable the e-learner to select a learning method
(Hasnat, 2009). ICT is a new trend of learning in the urban and suburban communities (Tunio, et. at., 2014).
It has provided social zone also beside use in the academics in order to improve the services (Tunio, et. at.,
2013).ICT bridges the gap of the education in urban and sub-urban areas for the promotion of knowledge and
development of the institutional and personal capacities (Tunio, et. at., 2013).
Pakistan attempts to adopt ICT in education at all levels like the trend in other countries but due to lack
of technology completely installed, efforts remain less productive. Nowadays technology has influence upon
every section of life and creates immense educational and new learning opportunities for students and
scholars. E-learning is widely accepted method of learning and its demand has rapidly increased through the
common practice of ICT in education. E-learning is an easy access from any corner of the world to any kind
of information. Virtual University of Pakistan is a driving force behind the projecting e-learning in Pakistan,
as Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) is leading in distance learning in Pakistan. E-learning has major
participation in establishing knowledge based societies and to connect people for information through ICT.
AIOU is providing quality education to remote areas of Pakistan who has less access to the institutions and
universities and Virtual University (VU) provides education without any boundary and any other constraint.
E-learning is best tool of learning for those students who either do not have access to the higher education or
cannot attain any institution due to their job or any other engagement. Interaction between teacher and
student is crucial in e-learning through e-mails, videos, discussion forums, CDs and broadcasting through TV
channels. In this digital age, it is visible that quality education and learning methods through E-learning is
most important for the Pakistan (Vohra, 2013).

1
MS Student: Muhran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro
2
Associate professor: Muhran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro
3
Professor: Muhran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro

© 2014Research Academy of Social Sciences

[Link] 274
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Process of business transactions have been changed and accelerated due to the incorporation of
technology in the business. ICT has paved the way for input, processing, transmit, manage, protect, store and
later retrieve the information as necessary. Merger of information technology can cause sound progress in the
organizations and industries (Kalia, 1999).
E-learning became possible by the emergence of ICT for the easy access to information worldwide.
Major application of E-learning is in universities, enterprises, communities for multiple purposes. E-learning
is a combination of different technologies (Wu, et al., 2010).
e-Learning is a process which links information through new technology with legal systems internally
and externally with digital system (Tapscott, 1996). e-Learning is the use of the most innovative information
and communication technologies, like the Internet, to deliver to all kind of reliable information and
knowledge (UNPA & ASPA2001)
e-Learning is the transformation of internal and external information through Information Technology in
order to improve learning and learning capacity. Innovations and knowledge transfer occurs with the miracle
of emerging technology and mobilization of emerging technology. Here policy is required for strategy,
technology, process, and personnel and its complete implementation, as by this. Learners will embark on
knowledge community-based e-learning (Ruey-Shun, 2007).
Objectives
In order to fulfill the scope of this study, the following objectives are posed:
 To study the current trends in e-learning system in Pakistan
 To examine the technologies which commonly are used in E-learning

2. Methods
To achieve the objectives of this study, literature review was carried out in order to analyze the best E-
learning in Pakistan. We collected data with the help of secondary source. Universities offering ODL are
studied and their existing programs. Issues and challenges have been focused and policy recommendations
are suggested.

3. Current Trends of E-Learning System In Pakistan

The coverage of higher education in Pakistan is around 5% which is extremely low as compared to other
countries like Bangladesh (7%), India (13%), Malaysia (29%), UK (59%), US (82%), and Finland (94%).
The Government of Pakistan is working in different directions to widen the coverage of higher education. In
Pakistan, considerable gap exists between the number of higher secondary level passed students and the
number of students who get enrolled in universities. The gap exists mainly due to the insufficient number of
public sector universities providing affordable education ([Link]).
Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU)
AIOUwas established in May, 1974, the main objectives were to provide educational opportunities to
masses and to those who cannot leave their homes and jobs. In the last 34 years, the University has more than
fulfilled this promise. It is also attempting to harness modern information Technology for spreading
education in Pakistan
The motive of AIOU for Distance Education assumed greater relevance and acceptance in Pakistan due
to the factors of poverty and relative deprivation. The rate of literacy, incidence of dropouts, and excess to
higher education is much lower in the poorer classes of Pakistan. The incidence of poverty is much higher in
the rural areas. The AIOU, through its system of Distance Education has, thus, provided educational
opportunities at doorsteps.

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Teaching Methodology
The AIOU provides non-formal method of correspondence, radio and television broadcasts, special
textbooks and reading materials and system of study centers for applied training is spread throughout
Pakistan.
Study Centers & Information Technology
The concept of study centers was first employed in the university for teaching practice in its education
programs. Students enrolled in its PTC, CT and B. Ed. programs, were given teaching practice in the selected
schools, and designated as the study centers.
Radio and TV Programs
The development of IET and its technical competence has made it possible for the university to produce
quality audio and video programs, which are regularly broadcast on radio and television, and are also sent to
the students in the form of audio and video cassettes.
Latest development in the Communication & Information Technology
The latest development in the Information and Communication Technology, particularly, the Satellite
and Internet, have revolutionized the system of Distance Education. Satellite and Internet are being
extensively used as a medium of instruction as well as a source of information. As we harness this
technology for Distance Education.
Virtual University
The Virtual University (VU) opened its virtual doors in 2002, its Pakistan’s first University based
completely on modern Information and Communication Technologies with a clear mission to provide
extremely affordable world class education to students all over the country. Using free-to-air satellite
television broadcasts and the Internet, the Virtual University allows students to follow its rigorous programs
regardless of their physical locations. Pakistani students residing overseas in several other countries of the
region are also enrolled in the University's programs.
The Virtual University of Pakistan delivers education through a judicious combination of broadcast
television and the Internet. Lectures are then recorded in a professional studio environment and after
insertion of slides, movie clips and other material, become ready for broadcast. Course lectures are broadcast
over free-to-air television and are also made available in the form of multimedia CDs. They can also be made
available as streaming media from the Virtual University’s servers. The multiple formats allows for a high
degree of flexibility for students who may view the lectures at a time of their choosing within a 24-hour
period. Additionally, students can use the lectures to review an entire course before their examinations – a
facility simply not available in the conventional face-to-face environment.
In addition to the prescribed texts, comprehensive reading material / lecture notes in the form of web-
enabled content are provided through a comprehensive Learning Management System (LMS) hosted on the
VU Web Servers and accessible over the Internet. The full power of hyperlinks is utilized for making the on-
line experience a truly powerful one. The LMS also provides an e-mail facility to each and every student as
well as discussion boards for interaction within the VU community.
Source: [Link]
Comsats Institute of Information Technology
COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) started its journey in 1998 and established its
first campus at Islamabad in April 1998 and it is rated amongst top ranked universities of the country and is
known for its progressive and innovative learning approach. CIIT Virtual campus is started to enhance the
coverage of quality higher education in the country by providing opportunities to those who could not attend
universities because of inflexible timings, cost, or cultural barriers. CIIT Virtual Campus will reach those
people by offering sophisticated Distance Learning education programs in Pakistan. It is the first and only

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public university to offer the distance learning programs in Pakistan by using the power of today information
technology resources.
Source: [Link]
Other Universities Adopted Distance Learning In Pakistan
Simultaneously, pursuing same trend there are several other universities which are offering Distance
Learning Programs and with the help ICT they have transferred from Distance Learning to Online Programs.
Further universities are as Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan (1975), [Link] University of
Peshawar, Peshawar (1950) [Link] The Aga Khan University, Karachi (1983)
[Link] and Government College University, Faisalabad, (2002) [Link].

Issues/Challenges And Remedies

No. Issues/Challenges Remedies
Misuse and mismanagement of Trained staff to use technology
Technology
1.
(Rashid & Rashid, 2011)
Financial Constraints Funds and Subsidies to the institutions
2.
(Rashid & Rashid, 2011)
Limited capacity/less capacity Training and development
building
3.
(Memon, 2007)


Weak Linkage among: Knowledge based linkage for the flow of information


Students


Teachers


4. Institutions
Technology

(Scott, et. al., 2003)

High dropout or Failure Orientation, guide and cooperation with the students
5.
Insung Jung. I., Fukuda, A.
(2010)

Stakeholders
Following group of the people may be benefited from the above discussed short courses of e-learning
programs and can develop the e-learning environment in the region and across the different cities.
 Students
 Faculty members
 Researchers
 Administrators
 Education instates
 Other organizations

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4. Recommendations
 Scope of this topic can be widely increased with the context of different aspects like social, political,
economic and educational.
 Demographic variation of the study can be carried out at Masters and PhD levels.
 Factors affecting e-learning program
 Use of ICT in distance learning

5. Conclusion
Information technology (IT) is performing a very important role in the enhancement of the e-learning
process. IT provides all the recourses for the development of e-education system. Now a day, internet is
using all over the country. People, which are surfing the internet are actually e-learners.

Acknowledgement:
Authors are highly thankful to the Mehran University Institute of Science, Technology and
Development (MUISTD) for the facilitation and in last, Cooperation of Muhammad Nawaz Tunio
mntunio@[Link], PhD Scholar (MUISTD) is acknowledged for his technical services.

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