ict in higher education: the syrian experience expert group meeting on ict indicators adoption and...

ICT in Higher ICT in Higher Education:Education:

The Syrian ExperienceThe Syrian Experience

Expert Group Meeting on Expert Group Meeting on ICT Indicators Adoption and Data CollectionICT Indicators Adoption and Data Collection

ICT Indicators in Education and E-GovernmentICT Indicators in Education and E-GovernmentCairo 13-15 February 2007Cairo 13-15 February 2007

ByByM. Najib Abdul WahedM. Najib Abdul Wahed

Ministry of Higher EducationMinistry of Higher EducationDamascus, SyriaDamascus, Syria

OUTLINEOUTLINE Fast Overview of the Syrian Higher Fast Overview of the Syrian Higher Education Sector: Education Sector: The ChallengesThe Challenges ICT Development in Higher Education: ICT Development in Higher Education: The VisionsThe Visions State ofState of Use of ICT in HEIs: Use of ICT in HEIs: The IndicatorsThe Indicators and the Need for and the Need for Impact-Oriented Impact-Oriented

IndicatorsIndicators Policy and Development Strategies and Policy and Development Strategies and ProjectsProjects Case Studies:Case Studies:

SVUSVU E-TrainingE-Training

• Concluding RemarksConcluding Remarks

Higher Education in SyriaHigher Education in Syria

IntermediateInstitutes

Higher Institutes Universities

PublicPrivate

Council of Higher Education

UniversitUniversityy

CityCityEstablisheEstablishedd

StaffStaffStudentStudentss

Open Open LearninLearnin

gg

DamascuDamascuss

DamascuDamascuss

19231923212321231100001100003701237012

AleppoAleppoAleppoAleppo195819581150115065000650002655226552

TishreenTishreenLattakiaLattakia1971197189289240000400001214512145

Al-BaathAl-BaathHomsHoms1979197952552530000300001140511405

TotalTotal469046902450002450008711487114

Univ.

Outside Faculty

Public Universities

Intermediate Institutes

Intermediate Institute

NumberStudents

MHE34343413834138

Other MinistriesOther Ministries1221222091320913

Private Universities

8 opened

18 Obtained preliminary permission

2 Licensed but not yet opened

15 pending

Private UniversitiesUniversityUniversityCityCityStudentsStudents

KalamoonKalamoonDeir-atiiehDeir-atiieh17661766

IUSTIUSTDaraaDaraa365365

AEUAEUDaraaDaraa701701

Al-MamounAl-MamounAl KamishliAl Kamishli20982098

Private University for Private University for Science and ArtsScience and Arts

AleppoAleppo417417

Union (Ittihad)Union (Ittihad)Al RakkaAl Rakka956956

Syrian InternationalSyrian InternationalDaraaDaraa363363

Al-WadiAl-WadiHomsHoms148148

TotalTotal68146814

Higher Institutes

(Centers of Excellence)

• Higher Institute for Business Higher Institute for Business Administration (HIBA)Administration (HIBA)

• Institut National d’Administration (INA)Institut National d’Administration (INA)

• Higher Institute for Demographic Higher Institute for Demographic Studies Studies

Enrollment Ratios

Egypt??

Finland

IndiaJordan

Korea

Kuwait

Lebanon

Pakistan

Syria

Tunisia

UAE

USA

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1980 1985 1990 1995 1998 2003 2006

Algeria

Egypte

Finland

India

Iran

Jordan

Korea

Kuwait

Lebanon

Malaysia

Morroco

Oman

Pakistan

KSA

Sudan

Syria

Tunisia

UAE

USA

Demand on Higher Demand on Higher EducationEducation

71061

96319104426

114298

132825 133926 136728

Year

No

of

Stu

den

ts

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

140000

2005200420032002200120001999

LiteratureScience

The ChallengesThe Challenges

AccessAccessEfficiencyEfficiencyGovernanceGovernanceQualityQualityRelevanceRelevanceFundingFunding

Sector Reform PolicySector Reform Policy

Main objectives of the Higher Main objectives of the Higher Education Policy set out in the Education Policy set out in the 10th National 5Y Plan include:10th National 5Y Plan include:

• Expansion of access to tertiary Expansion of access to tertiary education education

ICTICT

• Promotion of responsiveness to Promotion of responsiveness to the needs of the economy and the needs of the economy and societysociety

ICTICT

Sector Reform PolicySector Reform Policy

• Improvement of governance and Improvement of governance and accountability procedures within the accountability procedures within the institutionsinstitutions

ICTICT• Development of innovative and relevant Development of innovative and relevant

modes of learning and teaching;modes of learning and teaching;

ICTICT• Achievement of effective quality Achievement of effective quality

assuranceassurance

ICTICT

Sector Reform PolicySector Reform Policy• Enhancing the quantity, quality and relevance Enhancing the quantity, quality and relevance

of scientific, basic and applied researchof scientific, basic and applied research ICTICT

• Promotion of entrepreneurship and Promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation skills within graduates to innovation skills within graduates to stimulate their capabilities in self-job creationstimulate their capabilities in self-job creation

ICTICT

The VisionsThe Visions• Harnessing ICT Potential in Harnessing ICT Potential in Reshaping Reshaping HE: HE: The Need to Transform HEIs The Need to Transform HEIs from from Traditional Role to a More Traditional Role to a More Demanding Demanding Role Catalyzed by the ICTRole Catalyzed by the ICT

• Making Use from the Economies of Making Use from the Economies of Scale Scale of Distance Education and ICT-of Distance Education and ICT-Based Based Learning as a Smart and Efficient Learning as a Smart and Efficient Solution for Responding to the Solution for Responding to the Growing Growing Demand on HEDemand on HE• Introducing ICT in Open Learning Introducing ICT in Open Learning

Uses of ICT in Higher Uses of ICT in Higher EducationEducation

• Teaching, Learning and Research; Introducing Teaching, Learning and Research; Introducing On-On-Line CoursesLine Courses

• Contents provision;Contents provision;• Professional tool for future labor market;Professional tool for future labor market;• Administration and Operational Management;Administration and Operational Management;• Tactical and Strategic Management;Tactical and Strategic Management;• Collection, dissemination and exchange of Collection, dissemination and exchange of information;information;• Support for conduct and management of Support for conduct and management of research;research;• Transformation of library to an Information Transformation of library to an Information collection, processing, compiling and collection, processing, compiling and dissemination unit;dissemination unit;• Establishment of Establishment of “Click Universities”“Click Universities”

Levels of ICT Development in Levels of ICT Development in HEIs in SyriaHEIs in Syria

Single Computer with Dial-Up facilitiesSingle Computer with Dial-Up facilities Local Area Network (LAN) in a location for Local Area Network (LAN) in a location for all usersall users Local Area NetworkLocal Area Network Campus Area NetworkCampus Area Network Library LANLibrary LAN Internet Connectivity of Campus NetworkInternet Connectivity of Campus NetworkWireless facilities for quick deploymentWireless facilities for quick deployment Full Click UniversitiesFull Click Universities

Integration of ICT into HEIs Functions in Syria in Syria

• Entry (teachers teach students to use IT)• Adoption (teachers use IT to support

traditional instruction)• Adaptation (teachers use IT to enrich

curricula)• Appropriation (IT is integrated and used

for its unique capabilities)• Innovation (Development of new

learning environment using IT as a tool): On-line courses, Distance Education, Virtual Learning, …etc

Why Virtual EducationWhy Virtual Education??

- Due to fast changes in sciences, - Due to fast changes in sciences,

technologies and careers, there is a need for:technologies and careers, there is a need for:

Continuous HRD in the marketplaceContinuous HRD in the marketplace

Injection of Academic content to update Injection of Academic content to update

the workforce’s knowledge and skillsthe workforce’s knowledge and skills

Disseminate World-class education Disseminate World-class education

beyond campus limitsbeyond campus limits

Case Study (1): SVUCase Study (1): SVU

Virtual EducationVirtual EducationModern Technology and Educational Modern Technology and Educational

MethodsMethods

Anywhere AnytimeAnywhere Anytime

Wide range of specializationsWide range of specializations

Work and study at the same time Work and study at the same time

(L3)(L3)

More interaction in class:More interaction in class: Peer-to-peer learningPeer-to-peer learning

Self-learningSelf-learning

Learning from ExpertsLearning from Experts

Learning ProcessLearning Process• Five Components:Five Components:

•StudentsStudents

•TeachersTeachers

•ContentContent

•InteractionInteraction

•Assessment/EvaluationAssessment/Evaluation

Virtual UniversityVirtual University Learning Management System (LMS)Learning Management System (LMS)

Managing course registration. Tracking Student Registration, Access and

progress. Managing course Information. Course scheduling and administration

including instructors and physical facilities.

Reporting Learning ObjectsLearning Objects Learning Objectives Learning Path Pre and post Assessment

* * ReusableReusable* Flexible Content * Flexible Content DevelopmentDevelopment

* * ReusableReusable* Flexible Content * Flexible Content DevelopmentDevelopment

Learning ProcessLearning Process•In a virtual classroomIn a virtual classroom::

StudentsStudents

TeacherTeacher ContentContent

InteractionInteraction

AssessmentAssessment

Rich, DynamicInteractive

Facilitates andsupervises

student learning

Learner

Static content+

Teacher’s explanation

skills

Proctored examsTake home examsProjectsClass ParticipationAssignments

The Syrian Virtual The Syrian Virtual UniversityUniversity

An integrated online educational environment An integrated online educational environment that resembles a conventional university that resembles a conventional university environment, with additional features offered by environment, with additional features offered by the latest technological applicationsthe latest technological applications

Provides World-class virtual education for Syrian and Provides World-class virtual education for Syrian and Arab students at homeArab students at home

Offers Accredited American, European and Offers Accredited American, European and International degree and certificate programs at International degree and certificate programs at all levelsall levels

Student support services provided by a virtual Student support services provided by a virtual community of Arab Professors and experts community of Arab Professors and experts worldwideworldwide

SVU ModelSVU Model(Lowering the Barriers)(Lowering the Barriers)

•Infrastructure:Infrastructure: Access/Technology Access/Technology

-Build tele-centers with powerful PCs and -Build tele-centers with powerful PCs and

fast fast

internet connectioninternet connection

•LanguageLanguage

- Preparatory year / Develop Arabic - Preparatory year / Develop Arabic

ProgramsPrograms

•Payment difficultiesPayment difficulties

- Develop Arabic degrees at affordable fees- Develop Arabic degrees at affordable fees

– Credibility and TrustCredibility and Trust

Obtain Local Accreditation Obtain Local Accreditation

Establish long-term partnership with Establish long-term partnership with

local and regional industrylocal and regional industry

Adopt international evaluation Adopt international evaluation

criteriacriteria

Awareness campaignAwareness campaign


– Learning ModelLearning Model

E-content / LMSE-content / LMS

Asynchronous communicationsAsynchronous communications

Asynchronous sessionsAsynchronous sessions

Synchronous sessions / Web demoSynchronous sessions / Web demo

Recorded sessionsRecorded sessions

Virtual classroomVirtual classroom


– Administrative Difficulties:Administrative Difficulties:

• Establish virtual communities of Establish virtual communities of

experts of Middle Eastern origin and experts of Middle Eastern origin and

Western EducationWestern Education

• Provide services: career planning, Provide services: career planning,

admissions requirements, guidance, admissions requirements, guidance,

advising, graduation requirementsadvising, graduation requirements

• Perform market needs assessment and Perform market needs assessment and

generate a list of “wanted” fieldsgenerate a list of “wanted” fields


Academic Difficulties:Academic Difficulties:

• Create virtual communities of Arab Create virtual communities of Arab

Professors with Western Education, Professors with Western Education,

living abroad or at home living abroad or at home

• Provide the following services:Provide the following services:A-A- Academic AdvisingAcademic Advising

B- Academic SupportB- Academic Support

C- Participate in Content DeliveryC- Participate in Content Delivery

D- Develop New ProgramsD- Develop New Programs


SVUSVUSVUSVU

University1

University2

University3

University4Students

Additional ServicesCareer Planning - BookstoreAssessment and Guidance - Virtual Library Advising - Faculty ServicesAcademic Support - ProfessionalPre-registration DevelopmentTechnical Support - Tele-centersVirtual Communities - Virtual ClassroomsDiscussion Forums - Thesis SupervisionFace-to-face requirements - Career Services

MHEAccreditation

VirtualVirtualCommunitiesCommunities

Of ArabOf ArabProfessorsProfessors

VirtualVirtualCommunitiesCommunities

Of ArabOf ArabProfessorsProfessors

LocalizationLocalizationOf International Of International

CurriculaCurricula

LocalizationLocalizationOf International Of International

CurriculaCurricula

Local Local Technical, Technical,

Administrative Administrative and Academicand Academic

SupportSupport

Local Local Technical, Technical,

Administrative Administrative and Academicand Academic

SupportSupport

InternationallyInternationally Accredited Accredited DegreesDegrees

To adviseTo advise,,Support andSupport andTeach ArabTeach Arab

StudentsStudents

To adviseTo advise,,Support andSupport andTeach ArabTeach Arab

StudentsStudents

Associate: Associate: AA, AS, APS, etc.AA, AS, APS, etc.

Bachelor: Bachelor: BA, BS, BBA, BIT, BGS, etc.BA, BS, BBA, BIT, BGS, etc.

Master: Master: MA, MS, MBA, MIT, etc.MA, MS, MBA, MIT, etc.

Certificate: Certificate: undergraduate, graduate, undergraduate, graduate, professional coursesprofessional courses

SVU SVU Degree OfferingsDegree Offerings

SVU Sample PartnersSVU Sample Partners

Baker College OnlineBaker College Online

Bellevue Community Bellevue Community College College

Bellevue UniversityBellevue University

Ohio UniversityOhio University

Canadian Virtual Canadian Virtual UniversityUniversity

Columbia UniversityColumbia University

Cornell UniversityCornell University

Edmonds Community Edmonds Community CollegeCollege

MMU MMU

EdexcelEdexcel

SVU Sample ProgramsSVU Sample Programs

High National Diploma

Associate Degrees In E-Commerce•Internet Studies.•Web Development and Programming•Management•Marketing•General Business

In Association with Edexcel

Arabic & English

SVU Sample ProgramsSVU Sample Programs

Information Systems Engineering

160 credit based engineering degree

10 different specializations

4 years (3 semesters/year)

SVU Diploma in Educational SVU Diploma in Educational Habilitation: Case Study (2)Habilitation: Case Study (2)

Diploma for bachelors looking for teaching habilitation

One year program with 11 courses.

Practical (In-class teaching course)

10 courses in education and psychology


The Ministry of Education need to rehabilitate 54,000 school teachers to the education era.

Spread over 18,000 schools in all Syrian Governorates

100,000 new students every year means at least additional 2,000 new teacher yearly


Available alternatives:- Conventional Universities- Open Universities- Virtual University

A pilot project of 7000 learner in open university.

A pilot project with around 1700 learner in virtual education.

1. General education and philosophy of education

2. Comparative education and education in the Arab world

3. Syllabus4. Teaching principles5. Teaching techniques6. Teaching Methods

7. Educational Psychology

8. Childhood and teenage psychology

9. Psychological health10. Evaluation &

measurement11. In-class course



- - - -Delay in project execution due to training of tutors and learners (Computer illiteracy)

Learners lack of motivation which is the driving force of self paced learning.

Poor voice quality due to the existing infrastructure

Deviation from SVU model

E-content


+++Computer & internet skills for both learners and tutors.

Classes of 30 students from all over the country

Richer experience and interactivity of learners

Use of available resources i.e. Edu Net & Al-Basel Centers

Expectations for 8000 learner next year

ChallengesChallenges– Lack of communication

facilities in some areas.

– One of the most reputed One of the most reputed Syrian ”tourist site”Syrian ”tourist site”

– Need more active supportNeed more active support

– Dilemma: Biz of education Dilemma: Biz of education versus HRD versus HRD

ConclusionsConclusionsIntroduction of ICT in HE is Facing Several Introduction of ICT in HE is Facing Several

ChallengesChallenges

Indicators Should be Developed to Assess Indicators Should be Developed to Assess

ICT Maturity in HEICT Maturity in HE

Impact-Oriented Indicators Should be Impact-Oriented Indicators Should be

Developed for ICT-Based Education:Developed for ICT-Based Education: QA Indicators QA Indicators

EmployabilityEmployability

Degrees RecognitionDegrees Recognition

Capacity Building in ICT-Based EducationCapacity Building in ICT-Based Education

……....

ict in higher education: the syrian experience expert group meeting on ict indicators adoption and...

Documents

society ict ict slide

higher education policy

syrian higher education

challenges ict development

syria slide

total slide

ict indicators adoption

pending slide