Ministry of Higher Education

(MoHE)

Higher Education Development Program

(HEDP)

First Conference on Promotion and Institutionalization

of Outcome Based Education & Student Centered

Learning (OBE-SCL) in Higher Education

Final Report

23rd May 2017

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Table of Contents

Background ................................................................................................................................................... 3

Rationale ....................................................................................................................................................... 3

OBE-SCL Conference: .................................................................................................................................... 4

Conference Objectives: ............................................................................................................................ 4

Conference Agenda ...................................................................................................................................... 5

Venue: ........................................................................................................................................................... 6

Participants: .................................................................................................................................................. 6

Inside the OBE-SCL Conference:................................................................................................................... 7

Challenges:.................................................................................................................................................... 8

Expectations from Conference Participants ................................................................................................ 8

Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................... 9

Annex 1: Some Photos from within the workshop ................................................................................... 9

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Background Afghan universities are largely traditional, with teacher-centered pedagogy and passive student learning.

International trends in universities are increasingly moving toward active student centered learning (SCL)

and outcome-based education (OBE). These also combine with blended learning where on-line e-

learning methods are integrated with on-site, face-to-face interaction between students and teachers.

Afghan universities urgently need to modernize teaching and learning to reflect and keep pace with

these international trends.

As one of the components in the Higher Education Development Program (HEDP) efforts are taken to

modernize and enhance the quality of teaching and learning. Hence, Outcome Based Education & Student

Centered Learning concepts come into play to achieve this goal. The objective of this theme is to assist

universities in introducing modern outcome-based education (OBE) and student-centered learning (SCL)

in line with current international trends in higher education. The introduction of OBE and SCL will require

new approaches to curriculum design and delivery; innovative teaching methods and techniques; active

and dynamic learning models; increased use of higher education publications, and ICT and internet-

based resources; and the modernization of assessment systems, in universities. The Staff Development

Centers (SDCs) of universities will play an important role in the provision of continuous professional

development for university academics, management and technical staff, to introduce and establish OBE

and SCL and to use ICT, web-based content and digital resources, for teaching and learning. The degree

programs which are considered priorities for the country’s economic development will be the first set

of programs to which OBE and SCL will be introduced. Over time, OBE and SCL will be expanded to

other degree programs.

Taking into account the importance of the OBE-SCL and in order to support and nurture its

implementation and practice, the OBE-SCL approach needs to be reached to the academics, non-

academics and stakeholders. To raise the public awareness about OBE-SCL approach and system, the need

for a conference about OBE-SCL seem mandatory. As experience and practice indicate from previous

Conferences and a good example is E-Learning conference which was conducted last year, we can project

the OBE-SCL to everyone and involve them into rethinking about how to enhance Teaching and Learning

at the university level countrywide. Therefore, an OBE-SCL Conference can attract people’s attention

towards Higher Education System and the efforts adopted towards economic development and self-

sufficient phase.

Rationale The concepts of OBE-SCL have been introduced to the Afghan faculties through various local and overseas

workshop. The very first workshop was held on November 21st and 22nd 2015 at the ministry of Higher

Education. This workshop was a simple introduction to the OBE-SCL. The OBE-SCL experts from UTM

coached the workshop. At the end of the workshop it was agreed to conduct an advanced OBE-SCL

workshop in near future. Therefore, on April 24th – 3rd May 2016 the advanced workshop was held in

presence of 170 Afghan faculties and 4 OBE-SCL experts of UTM. This workshop helped Afghan faculties

have a more solid understanding of OBE-SCL concepts. At the end of this workshop, UTM trainers asked

the participants to complete a teaching portfolio so that they can win a fellowship to enhance their

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knowledge on OBE-SCL at UTM in a more advanced OBE-SCL workshop. Out of 170 participants 24 faculties

from 14 universities have been selected and departed to UTM for OBE-SCL Trainer Certificate workshop.

They attended this workshop for 12 days and managed to obtain the Certificate of OBE-SCL Trainer and

Associate Trainer.

These 24 faculties gained the title of OBE-SCL Trainer and Champion. These Champions conducted OBE-

SCL workshop at their respective universities for two weeks. These 24 Champions managed to train 260

teachers in OBE-SCL. The participants of these workshops conducted by Champions would receive a

certificate of participation. There will be more workshops conducted by these Champions in coming years.

Some of these Champions have stated that the University Leadership and Management are less

supportive of the OBE-SCL workshops, its implementation and practice and they have no knowledge on

OBE-SCL and its importance. They suggested that the university chancellor, vice chancellor, faculty deans

and department heads should fully support the champions on implementation and conduct of OBE-SCL

workshops. Hence, MoHE has decided to launch a series of OBE-SCL workshops for faculty deans and

department heads to obtain support from top management level. It was also agreed to hold annual OBE-

SCL conference for university Chancellor and Vice Chancellors and related stakeholders to raise their

awareness about the OBE-SCL, its objectives, benefits, and importance. HEDP seriously followed the

suggestions by Champions and put them into action.

OBE-SCL Conference: HEDP managed to hold a one day OBE-SCL conference for MoHE officials, Chancellors and Vice Chancellors

of public and private universities, Faculty Deans, OBE-SCL Champions, HEDP and OMST team, affiliated

international bodies on 23rd May 2017. There were 4 OBE-SCL experts from UTM to present their vast

knowledge, experience and ideas on OBE-SCL to the audience in the conference.

Conference Objectives: The main goal of the OBE-SCL Conference was to disseminate the knowledge of OBE-SCL concepts, its

importance in Higher Education, activities, and achievements in Higher Education of Afghanistan to

Audience and to obtain their full support in the OBE-SCL practice and implementation at public

universities.

To reflect on the recent achievements and activities in terms of OBE-SCL

To disseminate the knowledge of OBE-SCL approach and system to target group

To modernize and enhance the quality and standard of teaching & learning in Higher Education

To gain support from academics, non-academics and stakeholders to promote and

institutionalize OBE and SCL in higher education

To obtain the full cooperation of university management and leadership in supporting of the

OBE-SCL training and workshops to academic staff

To inform the public about the expected outcomes in regards to paving the ground for achieving

goals of being accredited by national/international agencies

To maintain the continuous support and care of MoHE, other official government bodies and university management and leadership level in data collection on practice of OBE and SCL and recommend ideas and insights for improvement

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To learn from the Malaysian OBE-SCL experts about the history, advantages, challenges, approach, beliefs, experiences and insights of/about OBE & SCL in Malaysia.

Outcomes of the OBE-SCL Conference

By the end of the OBE-SCL Conference, participants will:

Learn about the recent achievements and activities conducted in OBE-SCL at Higher Education

Have an idea of what OBE-SCL approach is

Be involved in supporting the OBE-SCL implementation and practice

Provide full cooperation in supporting of the OBE-SCL training and workshops to academic staff

Learn about the importance of OBE-SCL in paving the ground for obtaining accreditation

Have a clear concept and idea about the history, advantages, challenges, approach, beliefs, experiences and insights of/about OBE & SCL in global higher education

Conference Agenda

Agenda

08:30 am – 09:00 am Registration and Reception

09:00 am – 09:05 am Holy Quran Recitation Associate Prof. Satarudin Sidiqi, Director of Academic Programs Development

09:05 am – 09:10 am National Anthem

09:10 am – 09:35 am Opening Ceremony & Keynote Address Prof. Dr. Farida Momand H.E Minister of Higher Education

09:35 am – 10:00 am Keynote Address Eng. Abdul Tawab Balakarzai H.E Deputy Minister for Academic Affairs

10:00 am – 10:20 am Reflection on OBE-SCL Activities in Higher Education, Afghanistan Noor Ahmad Darwish, HEDP Director Ehsan Habibi, Senior Teaching & Learning Manager,HEDP

10:20 am – 10:40 am Tea- Break

10:40 am – 11:20 am Outcome Based Education (OBE): What and Why Prof. Ir. Dr. Siti Hawa Hamzah, Associate Director, Engineering Accreditation Council, Board of Engineers Malaysia

11:20 am – 12:00 pm Post OBE-SCL Workshops Interview Videos with Champions & Participants Interview Videos

12:00 pm – 12:40 pm Supporting OBE Attainment through Student Centered Learning (SCL) Dr. Syed Ahmad Helmi Syed Hassan (Guest Speaker) Fellow, Centre for Engineering Education (CEE), UTM

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12:40 pm – 01:30 pm Lunch and Prayers Break

01:30 pm – 02:10 pm

Quality Teaching & Learning: Towards Sustainable SCL Practices in Higher Education Prof. Dr. Khairiyah Mohd Yusof (Guest Speaker) Director, Centre for Engineering Education (CEE), UTM

02:10 pm – 02:30 pm Two Champion to talk about his experience of adopting OBE-SCL 1. Mr. Tawfiq Sarwarzada 2. Mr. Enayatullah Hamdard 3. Mr. Ahmad Javid Shakib

02:30 pm – 3:10 pm Implementation of OBE Malaysia: Lessons for Afghanistan Prof. Ir. Megat Johari Megat Mohd Noor (Guest Speaker) Director, Centre for Quality and Risk Management, UTM

03:10 pm – 03:30 pm Presenting the UTM Certificates of Award to Champions Eng. Abdul Tawab Balakarzai H.E Deputy Minister for Academic Affairs Guest Speakers from UTM

03:30 pm – 03:40 pm Closing the Conference Eng. Abdul Tawab Balakarzai H.E Deputy Minister for Academic Affairs

Venue: Several meetings were held with a temporary Conference Committee at HEDP. Selecting a suitable place for the conference was one of the topics. At first it was suggested by the committee to hold the conference at the Conference hall of MoHE. Later it was proposed to hold it at the Intercontinental Hotel. And finally, Mr. Abdul Tawab Balakarzai, H.E DM for Academic Affairs suggested to hold this conference in one of the Kabul Based Universities Conference Hall. A team comprised of OMST went in search for a suitable place. After visiting the Kabul based universities conference halls and auditorium, a general agreement was made to select Kabul University’s Auditorium. The Kabul University’s auditorium was beautiful, well furnished, and secured. The other good thing about this venue was that it was near Kabul University’s cafeteria and the cafeteria team catered the event for refreshment and lunch was taken at the Cafeteria.

Kabul University leadership and management welcomed this idea that Kabul University hosts such important conference. They also provided lots of assistance for conference. Probably in future we will move from Kabul University to other Kabul Universities to give them ownership and hosting of such events.

Participants: The following people attended the OBE-SCL Conference.

MoHE officials

Chancellors and Vice Chancellors of public and private universities

Faculty Deans

OBE-SCL Champions

HEDP and OMST team

Affiliated International Bodies

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Note: however, some of the above-mentioned people didn’t manage to attend the event since some have been out of country or have been involved in some academic matters. Following is the list of participants in the OBE-SCL Conference.

No Audience Number of Participants

1 MoHE Officials 18

2 Chancellor & Vice Chancellor of Academics 48

3 OBE-SCL Champions 24

4 Faculty Deans 77

5 UTM Trainers 4

6 Chancellors of 10 Private Universities 10

7 HEDP Staff 23

8 International Bodies 16

TOTAL 220

HEDP provided the participants with a file folder including a notebook, pen, brochure and agenda of the

Conference

Inside the OBE-SCL Conference: When most participants were in the hall, the conference officially started by recitation of Holy Qoran.

Then the national anthem was played and all stood to respect. Mr. Abdul Tawab Balakarzai, H.E Deputy

Minister for Academic Affairs delivered a keynote and highlighted on the importance of reshaping the

curriculum and teaching and learning to Outcome Based Education and Student Centered Learning. He

also stressed on the vital role of the Universities leadership and management in supporting the

implementation of OBE-SCL at higher education institutions. He strongly requested all chancellors, vice

chancellors, faculty deans, department heads and other involved people in closely working with MoHE

and support the promotion and implementation of OBE-SCL at their universities.

Then, Mr. Noor Ahmad Darwish the Director of Higher Education Development Program & Mr. Ehsan

Habibi the Senior Teaching & Learning Manager co-presented about the activities, achievements, plans,

strategies and targets of OBE-SCL during the lifespan of the project. Later audience were guided to the

outdoor for the tea break. During the tea break the audience were very keen and they started exchanging

views and experience with Malaysian team, other universities’ staff and learn from their experience of

OBE-SCL practice and implementation

Prof. Siti Hawa Hamzah one of the Malaysian OBE-SCL experts presented her thoughts on what Outcome

Based Eduaction is and why Higher Education should adopt it. This was a very interesting topic for all

audience. Then, a 10 minute Interview Videos with Champions & Participants of OBE-SCL workshop at

specific universities was shown to audience so that they learn more about the beliefs, perception and

experience of faculties who have undergone the OBE-SCL workshop.

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After the video, Dr. Syed Ahmad Helmi delivered information how to support OBE Attainment through

Student Centered Learning (SCL). This topic was very interesting for most audience because it was closely

related to teaching and learning and active learning. After this talk, the audience were asked to proceed

to the Kabul University Cafeteria for serving lunch.

The conference resumed in the afternoon when the audience had their lunch and did their prayer. Prof.

Khairiyah spoke about quality teaching & learning and how to move towards sustainable SCL practices in

higher education. Then, three Afghan OBE-SCL Champions had a short speech about their experiences and

views on adopting the OBE-SCL approaches. The three champions delivered their speech in Dari, Pashto

and English.

Later, Prof. Megat another Malaysian OBE-SCL expert talked about how the OBE was first implemented in

Malaysia, what process they have been through, what challenges they have faced and what are the

outcomes and advantages and what they are still working on. He also emphasized that we haven’t

achieved all success in higher education that we see today in one night. This took us almost three decades

and we are still working on it. He stated that it is a good model and lesson for Afghanistan Higher

Education.

At the end of the conference, the 24 OBE-SCL Champions were awarded with two OBE-SCL Trainer

Certification one awarded by University Technology of Malaysia and one from Ministry of Higher

Education. These Certificates were handed over by H.E DM for Academic Affairs, 4 UTM OBE-SCL experts,

Chancellors of Kabul, Balkh and Kandahar Universities. H.E DM for Academic Affairs awarded 4 certificate

of appreciation plus a token of appreciation to 4 Malaysian OBE-SCL experts. The conference was officially

closed.

Challenges: We have faced a few challenges during the conference. They are as following:

Power cut happened once and it made the speech disturbed

The projector VGA cable stopped working and the picture of the slides went dark (soon was fixed)

The sound system was not much audible for the participants sitting at the very back of the hall

Some participants had low level of English proficiency and they requested for instance

interpretation (one of champions interpreted with the Malaysian trainers)

The catering and refreshment needs to improve

Expectations from Conference Participants Ministry of Higher Education, Higher Education Development Program, OBE-SCL Champions expect the

chancellors, vice chancellors, faculty deans and department heads to fully support the OBE-SCL

implementation, promotion and practice at their faculties and departments. They play a key role as

leaders and supervisors to observe, assess and support the OBE-SCL champions, trained teachers, and

OBE-SCL workshops. This can be a national movement towards modernizing and enhancing the quality of

teaching and learning to meet the international standards in our higher education.

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Conclusion MoHE is determined to hold annual OBE-SCL Conference for the Afghan Universities’ leadership and

management. This will ensure that MoHE can invite and have the target audience onboard about OBE-

SCL and seek for their full support for its smooth and sound implementation and practice. This will

ensure that more academic and non-academic staff are involved in the process and will take ownership

of OBE-SCL adoption, implementation and practice. HEDP learned some key lessons from this

conference and will take them into account while organizing the upcoming OBE-SCL Conferences.

Annex 1: Some Photos from within the workshop

Audience stood up to respect the National Anthem

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Mr. Abdul Tawab Balakarzai, H.E for Academic Affairs, presenting the keynote

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Mr. Noor Ahmad Darwish, HEDP Director and Mr. Ehsan Habibi, Senior Teaching & Learning Manager

reflecting on the OBE-SCL activities and achievements in Higher Education of Afghanistan

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Dr. Syed Hassan Helmi, one of Malaysian OBE-SCL expert talking about Student Centered Learning

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One of OBE-SCL Champions from Shaikh Zayed University talking about his experience of embracing

OBE-SCL

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H.E DM for Academic Affairs awarding the token of appreciation to Malaysian OBE-SCL experts

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Chancellor of Kabul University awarding the OBE-SCL Trainer Certificate to one of the Champions

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Prof. Megat from UTM awarding the certificate of OBE-SCL Certificate to one of the Champions

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Group photo

Thank you.