UoT Hosts Transformative Workshop on Enhancement of Quality Education and Institutional Practices in Affiliated Colleges
Posted on 20 Dec, 2024 - Published by
A comprehensive three-day workshop titled "Enhancement of Quality Education and Institutional Practices in Affiliated Colleges" successfully concluded at the University of Turbat (UoT) on December 19, 2024. The Balochistan Academy for College Teachers (BACT) and the Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) University of Turbat jointly organized the workshop, which aimed to equip participants with a deeper understanding of HEC policies, the implementation of BS/AD programs, and the enhancement of quality assurance mechanisms in higher education institutions.
Spanning from December 17 -19, 2024, the workshop brought together college principals, BS/AD program coordinators, and controllers of examinations from various colleges affiliated UoT. The program was precisely designed to address critical aspects of higher education that range from policy adherence and academic integrity to accreditation processes and the implementation of quality benchmarks.
In his welcome speech, the University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Gul Hasan emphasized the integral role of affiliated colleges in uplifting the educational standards in the region. The director of BACT underscored the collaboration between BACT and UoT as a cornerstone for fostering institutional excellence and capacity building.
The workshop featured ten interactive modules led by distinguished resource persons. On the first day, Dr. Riaz Ahmed, Director QEC, provided an insightful overview of higher education in affiliated colleges and discussed both challenges and opportunities. He further elaborated on the HEC Undergraduate Policy 2023, its objectives, key changes, and practical strategies for implementation. Another highlight was the session by Miss Mahnaz Bashir, HoD Education Department, who outlined accreditation standards and processes essential for the accreditation of degree programs related to teacher education to maintain academic rigor and credibility.
Day two sessions delved deeper into the operational aspects of BS and AD degree programs, with Dr. Riaz Ahmed shedding light on national best practices and quality benchmarks for these programs in the affiliated colleges. Mr. Abdul Hakeem, Lecturer, and Administrator Turnitin at UoT disclosed the nuances of the anti-plagiarism policy and the effective use of Turnitin software in maintaining academic integrity. The day concluded with a productive discussion on future directions, encouraging participants to adopt innovative approaches to ensure compliance with quality standards.
On the third day, sessions were specifically designed for controllers of examinations at affiliated colleges that focused on streamlining examination processes and aligning them with UoT. Dr. Abdul Majid Nasir, Controller of Examinations at UoT, provided a detailed walkthrough of the University's undergraduate rules and regulations, along with a hands-on demonstration of the SIS/Examination results compilation system. Mr. Shakeel Umrani, Deputy Controller Examinations, addressed common examination-related challenges that included issues such as semester freezing and unfair means, and offered solutions to mitigate these issues. The final session, conducted by Dr. Riaz Ahmed, centered on the National Qualification Framework (NQF) and Pakistan Qualification Register (PQR) that provided participants with a roadmap for program registration and alignment with national standards.
The workshop's success was further bolstered by the contributions of the officials of BACT; Prof. Muhammad Nawaz Soomro, Director BACT; Prof. Dr. Ifthikar Baloch, Chief Coordinator BS Coordination Cell; Prof. Barkat Ismail, Chief Instructor; and Muhammad Ameen, Focal Person of the BS Coordination Cell. Their active involvement and expert guidance were instrumental in enriching the content and delivery of the workshop.
Participants lauded the workshop for its comprehensive coverage and interactive format. Participants expressed gratitude and appreciation for providing the opportunity to enhance their professional competencies and called for follow-up workshops that may focus on advanced quality assurance practices and the integration of technology in academic and administrative processes. Addressing the closing ceremony, the Vice Chancellor and the Director of BACT emphasized the importance of sustained efforts in capacity building and quality enhancement to meet the evolving demands of higher education in this region. Encouraged by the overwhelming response, BACT and UoT announced plans to organize similar workshops in the future and ensure continuous support for affiliated colleges and their pursuit of academic excellence.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Turbat (UoT), Prof. Dr. Gul Hasan, Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mansoor Ahmed, Registrar Ganguzar Baloch, Director of BACT Prof. Muhammad Nawaz Soomro, Chief Instructor of BACT Prof. Barkat Ismail, Chief Coordinator of the BS Coordination Cell at BACT Prof. Dr. Ifthikar Baloch, and Instructor and Focal Person of the BS Coordination Cell at BACT, Muhammad Ameen, distributed certificates to the participants of the workshop.
Report by Dr. Riaz Ahmed, Director, QEC at UoT