Syrian Virtual University
An Infrastructure Dependant University
EuroMed workshop on e-infrastructure
Brussels Oct 23-24 2007
Anas Tarah
atarah@svuonline.org
Syrian Virtual University
SVU Programs/Students
SVU E-Infrastructure
Case Study
Challenges
Virtual Education

Modern Technology and Educational Methods

Anywhere Anytime

Wide range of specializations through e-campus

Work and study at the same time (L3)

More interaction in class:

Peer-to-peer learning

Self-learning

Learning from Experts
Learning Process
In a virtual classroom:
Learner
Proctored exams
Assessment Take home exams
Projects
Class Participation
Assignments
Students
Rich, Dynamic
Interactive
Interaction
Facilitates and
Teacher
supervises
student learning
Static content
+
Content Teacher’s
explanation
skills
Syrian Virtual University
An integrated online educational environment that resembles a
conventional university environment, with additional features
offered by the latest technological applications
Provides World-class virtual education for Syrian and Arab
students at home
Offers Accredited International degree and certificate
programs at all levels
Established in 2003 as a government owned University.
Syrian Virtual University

Similar to conventional universities

All student activities and tasks can be
performed

Automated electronic administration

Developed interactive content

Virtual Classrooms
SVU Model
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Learning Model

E-content / LMS

Asynchronous communications

Asynchronous sessions

Synchronous sessions / Webdemo

Recorded sessions

Virtual classroom
SVU Tools

Learning Management System (LMS)






Managing course registration.
Tracking Student Registration, Access and progress.
Managing course Information.
Course scheduling and administration including
instructors and physical facilities.
Reporting
Learning Objects



Learning Objectives
Learning Path
Pre and post Assessment
* Reusable
* Flexible Content
Development
SVU Model
 Infrastructure: Access/Technology
- Telecenters with PCs and internet connection
 Language
- Preparatory year / Develop Arabic Programs
 Payment difficulties
- Develop Arabic degrees at affordable fees
Syrian Virtual University
SVU Programs/Students
SVU E-Infrastructure
Case Study
Challenges
SVU Sample Programs
•Associate degree:
•High National Diploma
•Bachelors
•Business information technology
•Marketing & Economy
•Law
•Engineering:
•Information system Engineering:
•Diploma
•Educational habilitation diploma
•Masters:
•Webology
•Technology management
•MBA
•Quality Control
SVU Sample Programs
High National Diploma
•Associate Degrees In E-Commerce
•Internet Studies.
•Web Development and Programming
•Management
•Marketing
•General Business
•In Association with Edexcel
•Top-up in cooperation with British universities
•Arabic & English
SVU Sample Programs
Business Information Technology
Bachelor Degrees
•IT
•Management.
•Marketing.
•General Business
•English
Top-up for Associate degrees
SVU Sample Programs
Information Systems Engineering
160 credit based engineering degree
10 different specializations
4 years (3 semesters/year)
SVU Sample Programs
Diploma in Educational Habilitation
Diploma for bachelors looking for teaching
habilitation
One year program with 11 courses.
Practical (In-class teaching course)
10 courses in education and psychology
Syrian Virtual University
SVU Programs/Students
SVU E-Infrastructure
Case Study
Challenges
SVU E-Infrastructure
SVU Main site with one integrated telecenter:
 14 processing units for:
 Mail & proxy;
 2 File sharing;
 6 Delivery DB, LMS, AMS;
 ISIS;
 Web-demo (Virtual Classroom);
 Domain controller & backups.
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
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100 Work station
L3 network
Power Management
Total Internet Bandwidth 2 Mbps
SVU E-Infrastructure
Bandwidth for Main site (outbound)
SVU E-Infrastructure
Bandwidth for Main site (inbound)
SVU E-Infrastructure
Bandwidth synchronous sessions
downloads from Main site
SVU E-Infrastructure
Bandwidth for Virtual Classroom from
Main site
SVU E-Infrastructure
Bandwidth for internet downloads from
Main site
SVU E-Infrastructure
HTTP traffic in SVU Main site in & out
SVU E-Infrastructure

Tele-Centers
 13 telecenters spread over Syria
 Between 6 to 20 PC per center.
 256 Kbps to 2MBs Internet connectivity.

Aim for:
 Exams;
 Virtual classes;
 Free access

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Total Bandwidth: 8 Mbps
Total No PCs: 220
Total Number of employees: 35
Annual cost .5 M USD
SVU E-Infrastructure
Electrical Power
???
Syrian Virtual University
SVU Programs/Students
SVU E-Infrastructure
Case Study
Challenges
Diploma in Educational Habilitation
A Case Study
The Ministry of Education need to rehabilitate
54,000 school teachers to the education era.
Spread over 18,000 schools in all Syrian
Governorates
100,000 new students every year means at
least additional 2,000 new teacher yearly
Diploma in Educational Habilitation
A Case Study
Available alternatives:
- Conventional Universities
- Open Universities
- Virtual University
A pilot project of 7000 learner in open
university.
A pilot project with around 1700 learner in
virtual education.
Diploma in Educational Habilitation
Courses
1. General education and
philosophy of education
2. Comparative education
and education in the
Arab world
3. Syllabus
4. Teaching principles
5. Teaching techniques
6. Teaching Methods
A Case Study
7. Educational Psychology
8. Childhood and teenage
psychology
9. Psychological health
10. Evaluation &
measurement
11. In-class course
Diploma in Educational Habilitation
A Case Study
E-Infrastructure
Use of available internal network of the ministry of
education.
Problems with:
• connectivity,
•tele-center management,
•student supervision,
•unqualified techniciens,
•power failures.
Back to SVU infrastructure this year
Diploma in Educational Habilitation
A Case Study
----
Delay in project execution due to training of tutors and
learners (Computer illiteracy)
Learners lack of motivation which is the driving force of
self paced learning.
Poor voice quality due to the existing infrastructure
Deviation from SVU model
E-content
Diploma in Educational Habilitation
A Case Study
+++
Computer & internet skills for both learners and tutors.
Classes of 30 students from all over the country
Richer experience and interactivity of learners
Use of available resources i.e. Edu Net & Al-Basel
Centers
Syrian Virtual University
SVU Programs/Students
SVU E-Infrastructure
Case Study
Challenges
Learning Process
Five Components:
And the most important:
 Students

Teachers
1. Motivation

Content
2. Mentality

Interaction
3. Environment

Assessment/Evaluation
Syrian Virtual University
What about:

Knowledge Management System

Content Management System

Assessment management system

Virtual Library

Virtual Study Room
• Law and virtuality
• Regulations and virtuality
• It & Security
• Staff
• Infrastructure
Challenges

Dependency on unstable/unavailable
Technology/Infrastructure

Expensive Technology/Infrastructure

Around 7600 enrolled learners

One of the most reputed Syrian site
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Need more active support
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Dilemma: Biz of education versus HRD
Thank You