On June 3, the Center for Higher Education Research at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech-CHER) worked with the International Center for Higher Education Innovation under the auspices of UNESCO (UNESCO-ICHEI) in launching its “Guidance for Online Education during COVID-19 Pandemic.”
Following the launch: CHER and UNESCO-ICHEI held a webinar titled “Online Learning during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Catalysts for Education Transformation.”
More than 60 scholars, experts, front-line educators, and administrators took part in the webinar to learn about the set of five “Guidance for Online Education during the COVID-19 pandemic” (GUIDANCEs). The webinar saw experts around the world talk about their achievements, challenges, experiences, and reflections on online teaching during the epidemic. More than three thousand people tuned into the broadcast on SUSTech’s official Bilibili account.
Vice Provost (Global Strategies) Chunmiao ZHENG spoke about the enormous effort SUSTech had put into protecting the SUSTech community, Shenzhen, the region, and the country from the ravages of COVID-19. He referred to the advanced technological achievements faculty members had developed as well as its rapid uptake of online classes for all students. The willingness of the SUSTech community to take to digital education reflects its commitment to solving problems and adapting to new paradigms.
The publication of the “GUIDANCEs” also demonstrated the impact and opportunities for different stakeholders. They must now think about how to implement online education into their traditional education formats at the highest quality while preparing for the transformational pressures and challenges that come with it.
It is hoped that the online education guides can help navigate online educational practices in the post-pandemic era.
