Non-digital students challenge for e-classes

IKTAR Training Institute CEO Shafqat Jillian says the threat of the pandemic offers some opportunities as well

ISLAMABAD: With the novel coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) forcing everyone to shift their focus to training online, the biggest challenge that has come up is that most of the population is not tuned to the digital world to take full advantage of this - this includes the trainers as well.

This was discussed on Thursday during an online dialogue on ‘Continuing Professional Development and Capacity Development Programmes Beyond 2020’. The dialogue had been organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).

Dr Irfan Khan, from the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), was of the view that the pandemic has compelled us to look towards alternate learning solutions.

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However, peer counseling and body language - which plays key roles in professional learning - are missed in online learning, he said.

The tendency of people not to accept modern electronic gadgets as a source of education, however, will remain a challenge to deal with, he added.

IKTAR Training Institute CEO Shafqat Jillian said that the threat of the pandemic offers some opportunities as well.

However, he said that professionals in the business of learning and capacity building will first have to build their own capacity in this new scenario.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2020.