Webinar on 'Online Learning in Higher Studies: Bangladesh Perspective'

Recently, Chairman of Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation-BHBFC, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited-IBBL and Professor of the Accounting Department, University of Chittagong, Dr. Md. Salim Uddin, FCA, FCMA, presented the keynote paper at the first international webinar organized by Exim Bank Agricultural University Bangladesh (EBAUB)- The only research-based private agricultural university in Bangladesh.

The title of the paper was "Online Learning in Higher Studies: Bangladesh Perspective".

In his keynote paper, Dr. Salim highlighted the impact of COVID 19 outbreak on the higher education globally in general and in Bangladeshi in particular as well as discussed various important aspects of online learning in higher education, some relevant research findings and results, opportunities, possibilities, potentiality, effectiveness and potential challenges in the context of Bangladesh. He gave the most emphasis on the need for effective training in online education to address the challenges related to education and technology and to all those who are involved in this sector.

In the keynote paper, Dr. Salim elaborately discussed the stagnation of the education system due to COVID-19, the use of technology in Bangladesh, why online learning, where online learning, how to practice online learning,  and finally technology used globally in the online learning platform.

In addition, Dr. Salim talks about the technology adoption model, interaction between teachers, students and content, action-reaction, satisfaction and the effectiveness of online education.

He also highlighted the quality Barometer for monitoring, assessing, testing, measuring, and evaluating the effectiveness of the online education system. 

The webinar was presided over by the Honorable Vice-Chancellor of EBAUB, Professor. Dr. ABM Rashedul Hasan. Among others, Professor Dr. Abdul Halim Mohd Noor, honorable Rector of Universiti Teknologi MARA, Melaka, Malaysia, one of the most recognized and biggest universities in Malaysia, whose presence was a major attraction for the participants at the event, took the floor. In his speech, he presented the features and development of the online education system.

His delivery covered the different challenges and experiences regarding the topic of the discussion. He exhibited the overall scenario of the online learning program by presenting various data of Universiti Teknologi MARA, Melaka, Malaysia. He further emphasized on the use of the appropriate electronic device, engagement of teachers and students, stable and fast internet facility and training for the instructors to implement online education successfully.

One of the prominent figures at the webinar was the honorable Rector of the famous Universitas Terbuka, Indonesia Professor Dr. Ojat Darojat. He represented the significance of online education. He strongly urged on setting regulations and combining Technology to get the best from the system. He offered and explained his valuable opinion regarding e-learning governance, network architecture, student support, service and internal quality assurance.

In his speech as the President of the webinar, the honorable vice-chancellor Professor Dr. ABM Rashedul Hassan pointed out that from the education system to the higher level of international business and administration everything is accepting and being operated online in the world we live in. Online learning has been in practice for the last couple of decades but in the current covid-19 situation, its significance is being gravely highlighted. He further added that online learning can be considered a perfect and well-timed phenomenon in relation to the government's initiative to fully digitalize Bangladesh by the year 2021.

The Managing Director of Exim Bank and the honorable member of BoT, Exim Bank Agricultural University Bangladesh Dr. Mohammed Haider Ali Miah presented a short speech, which set the swan song for the program. In his vote of thanks, he extended his gratitude towards all the participants, speakers and experts who joined from around the world and urged everyone to work together to uphold the quality of higher education by ensuring the efficient implementation of online facilities.

Dr. Mostofa Mahmud Hasan, head of the faculty of Business Administration and Miss. Ananya Prova, senior lecturer, faculty of Agriculture acted as the masters of the ceremony. The whole event was supervised by the director of the University’s International Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) Dr. Md. Shamim Hasan.

People from all around the world including Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Norway, Korea, Australia, Japan, UK, Pakistan and many other countries connected to participate. 733 (seven hundred thirty-three) participants were registered for this international webinar from home and abroad.