RAPID: Recasting best Practices of European universities during pandemic for Improving online Education in Pakistan HEIs
The RAPID project, supported by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ CBHE program, seeks to enhance the capacity of online education in Pakistan’s Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The project was conceived in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, which underscored the significance of online education worldwide and the urgent need to modernize Pakistan’s higher education system, especially in remote areas. The closure of HEIs due to COVID-19 significantly impacted academic activities, leading to delayed degrees for many students and reduced attainment of learning outcomes during pandemic. In light of this, the RAPID project, in collaboration with European partners, aims to develop a national policy for online education, enhance faculty expertise in e-Learning, and establish robust e-Learning infrastructure at remote universities in Pakistan. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to revolutionize the eLearning landscape in Pakistan, providing a means for continuous education during catastrophic events such as pandemics. Additionally, it aims to promote increased access to education, particularly for females and professionals who are already employed. By doing so, the project envisions creating a more inclusive and resilient higher education system in the country.
Faculty Capacity Building
RAPID includes 60 Pakistani faculty/staff mobility to European partner universities for capacity building
Infrastructure Development
RAPID includes technology infrastructure development for Affiliated Entities (University of Balochistan, University of Turbat and University of Baltistan) for strengthening online education in Pakistan
Online Education Policy Development
RAPID’s ultimate outcome is improved policy for online education in Pakistan keeping in view twenty first century needs