FAISALABAD: The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) is working to introduce hybrid courses that will be launched by the department of entomology.

UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmed said this while presiding over a workshop titled `Strategic Use of Digital technology in University Institution` held on Monday.

Hybrid teaching is not just about transferring a section of traditional courses to the web, but involves developing challenging and engaging online learning activities that complement face-toface activities.

Dr Ahmad said in the modern era of a globalised world, it was the need of the hour to adopt technology for teaching that ultimately raised interest among students. He said the university kicked off an open online courses mechanism and lectures were beinguploaded on the internet.

He stressed upon the need to gain experiences from developed nations.

The UAF had established two lecture theatres and three more were being set up to meet the demand of increasing students.

Dr Thomas Rost from the University of California said education enabled one to value humanities, arts and culture of other nations. He said blended learning had a positive impact on active participation of students. With technology-based teaching, `we could effectively convey our message`.

Dr James R Carey of the same university said the current generation would grow up in a world where the largest thing in the universe will be a digital universe. He said higher education was facing seismic shifts that presented formidable challenges and unprecedented opportunities.

He asked the participants about production of videos for learning in their teaching methods.