The Deanship of eLearningand Distance Learning was established in accordance with the royal decree stated in the article No. 2487/MB, dated 28/02/2010. Since then, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University (IAU) has invested in this type of smart, comprehensive and equitable learning for more than ten years. We worked hard to enhance the use of technology in the service of the educational process so as to reflect upon improving all mechanisms of the common traditional teaching methods. The Deanship has not ever hesitated to develop distinguished, modern, interactive eLearning strategies that would empower us to achieve quality education for regular students and provide opportunities for continuous and distance learners especially students whose circumstances deprived them from joining the university, or others whose ambition prompted them to search for education and knowledge in a continuous learning journey. The eLearning system at IAU, compatible with the international standards of eLearning, has proven its efficiency and high readiness with the capabilities of its creative human cadres, its modern facilities and equipment, and its educational systems and platforms, based on the alignment of its policies and standards with local, regional and global partners.
This readiness was accomplished by obtaining the eLearning license No. (1000047219192837) for Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University as a provider for activities and programs from the National eLearning Center affective from 04/03/2021. And by gaining accreditation for its educational platforms, such as Tebx which was accredited by the National Center for eLearning with license No. (1000145031033763) dated 22/11/2021, as well as the accreditation from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties AC10000089 dated 28/08/2020.
Since the beginning of the development of its strategic plan, the Deanship has been keen to align this plan with a set of visions, strategic plans and standards, the most important of which are Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the strategic plan of IAU (2018-2025), the standards of the National eLearning Center and the standards of Education and Training Evaluation Authority (ETEA). The Deanship also participated in many studies and committees while developing this strategic plan, including the five-year eLearning plan of the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council for 2020-2025, which will contribute to planning frameworks and directions for activating and improving eLearning in the universities of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. The Deanship also participated in a number of international studies affecting the strategic landscape of eLearning, including a study entitled: "Distance education: during and after the Corona pandemic” for general education, and a study entitles “Distance education: during and after the Corona pandemic” for higher education in cooperation with the National eLearning Center and under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education.
For the first time in GCC Universities, the Deanship is entitled to provide three training programs on eLearning Competencies in Education “Teach”, Design “Design”, and Quality Control “Assure”, which end with different Basic Professional Certificates at the foundational level approved by the National eLearning Center. The training program was officially admitted after the completion of approvals on The Unified Guide of eLearning Competencies that was presented to the Committee of eLearning and Distance Learning Deans in Saudi Arabia, during the Twentieth meeting held 20-21/03/2022.
The Deanship of eLearning and Distance Learning always seeks to deliver a set of distinguished services and successful programs, and to develop pioneering educational solutions in eLearning for individuals, as well as public and private sectors. We are pleased to inform you further about our services through the online portal of Deanship of eLearning and Distance Learning: iauelearning.iau.edu.sa
Dr. Muneera bint Badr Almahasheer
