Learning experience: Beaconhouse ‘blending learning’ college opens

The project aims to inspire educationists to use technology.

LAHORE: Beaconhouse Group Chief Executive Kasim Kasuri announced the launch of Concordia Colleges at a press conference on Wednesday. He said the chain of colleges will be Pakistan’s first ever “blending learning” college, aimed to inspire educationists to use technology.

Kasuri said Beaconhouse began work on Concordia Colleges three years ago and had spent a lot of time on research and development. He said colleges should use more educational technology as it accelerated learning.

Kasuri said Concordia Colleges would provide people access to affordable, high-quality college education. At first, the college would offer FSc pre-medical, FSc pre-engineering, ICS, ICom and FA. Master’s and bachelor level programmes will be introduced next year. In the first phase, 14 college campuses would be established: eight in Lahore, two in Allama Iqbal Town, two in Johar Town, one on Fane Road, one in Harbanspura and one in Gulberg; and one campus in Sahiwal, Sialkot, Kasur, Okara, Sheikhupura and Gujrat each.

Kasuri said a tablet each would be provided to all students and registration for the September session will start from June 23. “Concordia will provide a complete learning environment for students. This includes module-related documents in electronic format, videos, engaging classroom sessions and peer-learning opportunities.”

This is the first time in Pakistan that such an advanced learning system will be introduced at the college level, he said.

Kasuri said families of educationists and journalists would get discounts in college fee and scholarships on a means and merit basis would also be offered.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2014.