HEC to check varsities’ capacity to deliver online classes

Having received several complaints regarding online classes by some universities, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Tuesday said that it will inspect varsities, especially to check their capacity to deliver online classes.

“If a university is found lacking in capacity to deliver good quality online lectures, it will be directed to halt such lectures until the requisite conditions are met,” HEC Chairman DR Tariq Banuri said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Noting that HEC is monitoring the developing situation arising out of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, Dr Banuri said that the commission is in contact with the university’s leadership to identify areas where support will be needed to minimise academic disruption.

Contingency plans have been drawn for various scenarios. If the current restrictions on movement are extended beyond May 31, all universities will have to resort to online education.

To avoid system problems from a single "big bang launch", he said that HEC has allowed digitally advanced universities to start offering online courses as soon as they are ready. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1^st, 2020.