An Insight on Pro-Green: Professional Online Diploma The experience of PRO-GREEN Diploma Prof. Nesreen Ghaddar - American University of Beirut

2. An Insight on Pro-Green:
Professional Online
Diploma
The experience of PRO-GREEN Diploma
Professional Graduate Diploma in Green Technologies
http://www.progreendiploma.com

3. Discussion Outline
I. Objectives, Structure and Partnerships
II. Pro-Green Accomplishments 2013- Present
III. Quality Assurance
IV. Key Success Factors
V. Present Challenges
VI. Future Perspective

4. 1
• To develop study program & the curriculum for a
joint/Professional degree in Green Technologies
2
• To develop the Courses & Laboratories needed for
the Professional degree
3
• To develop a Life Long Learning courses for a
professional degree for SMEs in the green tech field.
Pro-Green Objectives

5. AUB Project Partners
o Helwan University
o Lebanese American
University
o Lund University
o Mediterranean Universities
Union
o Politecnico di Torino
o Suez Canal University
o American University in
Cairo
o University College Dublin
o University of Alicante

6. Joint Online Diploma (AUB, LAU, AUC)
Agreement among three Universities to offer the online Diploma
in Green technologies
Annexes
Annex One: GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PRO-GREEN
DIPLOMA PROGRAM
Annex Two: OBJECTIVES AND STRUCTURE OF THE PRO-GREEN DIPLOMA
PROGRAM
Annex Three: ADMISSIONS CRITERIA, PROCESS, CALENDAR, AND REGISTRATION
Annex Four: FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS
Annex Five: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ARRANGEMENTS AND SERVICES

7. Joint Online Diploma (AUB, LAU, AUC)
Article 11. Limitation of Liability
Article 12. Governing Law
Article 13. Settlement of Disputes
Article 14. Marketing, Advertising and
Intellectual Property Rights
Article 15. Assignment
Article 16. No Partnerships or Joint Ventures
Article 17. Exclusivity and Addition of New
Partners
Article 18. Notices and Other Communications
Article 19. General
Article 1. Recitals and Annexes
Article 2. Purpose of the Agreement
Article 3. Pro-Green Diploma Program
Curriculum and Related Matters
Article 4. Roles and Responsibilities of the
Partner Institutions
Article 5. Quality Assurance Arrangements
Article 6. Financial Arrangements
Article 7. Term of the Agreement
Article 8. Termination of Program or Withdrawal
from Partnership
Article 9. Confidentiality
Article 10. Force Majeure
Agreement among three Universities to offer the online Diploma
in Green technologies

8. Pro-Green Program Needs
Universities role in preparing professional and current workforce
coming changes in green technology and marketplace.
Demand for “green” projects in the country and region
Energy Specialization, Buildings, Water
 Important skills for green technologies design and implementation
 Green employment future perspective and advanced career
opportunities for diploma holders
 Value added with green technology specialty
 Market demand and analysis

9. Diploma Structure
3
Specializations
Energy
2 Core
Courses
Green Economy, Policy &
Law
Buildings
Water
Resources
Green Technologies
Systems Approach to
Sustainability and
Management
18 credits are required to complete the diploma in 12-18 months
6 credits of core courses
6 credits in the area of specialization
4 credits elective courses
2 credits project in the area of specialization

10. 2013
2014
2015
- Program Development
Stage
- (Coordination among 10
partners)
- Diploma Approval in 3
Universities
- Delivery Mode: Intensive;
Blended; Online
- Cohort-based program
model (not self-paced)
- Online Instruction
Training and course
development
- Joint Agreement (AUB,
AUC, LAU) & Legal Aspects
- IT Issues and Online
Course Management
Platform
- Synchronizations
(Offerings, Registration,
Grading, Transcripts
- Banner , e-learning and IT
Trainings
- Financial Issues
- Joint Admissions
Application & Acceptances
Work Flow
- Moodle at the Cloud
- Registration guide &
Student Online Orientation
- Online University Calendar
- Launching of Degree
- Quality Assurance
- Joint Transcript and
Diploma Official Document
Implemented Actions

11. Admissions Page: Online Application

12. Learning Management System
MOODLE in the Cloud: http://moodle.progreendiploma.com/

15. Pro-Green Community - LinkedIn

16. Pro-Green Website

17. Professional Community
Why are professionals in the region interested in the Pro-Green Diploma?

18. INTERESTING FACTS : SPRING,
SUMMER & FALL SEMESTER
2015

19. Pro-Green Students
90% of students have never participated in online
learning before!”
Students are spending 5-7 hours per week on each
course”
Current Registered Students reside in:
• Lebanon
• Egypt
• U.A.E
• K.S.A
• Spain
• Other
19

20. Average Age
:
20
20-30,
65%
30-40,
17%
40-50,
17%
SPRING
20-30, 69%
30-40, 19%
40-50, 8%
50 and above,
4%
SUMMER
20-30 30-40
40-50 50 and above
20-30,
78%
30-40,
11%
40-50,
11%
FALL

21. Pro-Green Students Majors
21
Engineering
, 60%
Architecture
, 34.00%
Chemistry,
3%
Other, 3%
SPRING
Engineering,
68%
Architecture
, 8%
Environmen
tal Health,
16%
Others, 8%
SUMMER
Engineering Architecture Environmental Health Others
Engineering,
73%
Architecture,
5%
Environment
al Health, 9%
Other, 23%
FALL

22. Concentrations at AUB, LAU and AUC
22
Building ,
51%
Energy ,
31%
Water,
17%
SPRING
Building ,
44%
Energy ,
36%
Water,
20%
SUMMER
Buildi
ng,
27%
Energ
y,
45%
Wate
r,
27%
FALL
Building Energy Water

23. Number of Registered Students
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Spring 2015 Summer 2015 Fall 2015
# of Registered
Students

24. Current Facts about the Program
Completion of 2 semesters
More than 70 registered students
29 faculty members ( AUB, AUC, LAU)
27 different courses delivered

25. Mid and End of Semester Evaluations
Initiated Spring semester and ongoing
o Faculty and Staff
63 students were asked about:
oAspect(s) of the course(s) most useful and interesting
o Qualitative replies of 44 responses revolved around:
• Learning from group discussions and activities
• Class Assignments, posts, and Discussions
• Productive and interesting online group work
discussions
• Exposure to new information and ideas, presentations
and case studies.

26. Study Hours Spent Per Week
 Majority spent 6 hours
 Most of the offered courses were 1- or-2-credit modules
except for the core course
Answer Count Percentage
0 -‐ 3 hours (1) 3 7.14%
3 -‐ 6 hours (2) 19 45.24%
6 -‐ 9 hours (3) 15 35.71%
More than 9 hours (4) 5 11.90%
No answer 0 0.00%

27. Student- Faculty Rate of Communication
Only 28.5% indicated frequent
communication with faculty.

28. Students’ Feedback
Information taught is beneficial and applicable in their daily work
The platforms available to share ideas and information is very
useful
Wide range of topics covered in each course
90% of the students agreed that their courses made them gain
practical skills
92% of students would recommend the Pro-Green diploma to their
peers

29. Lessons Learned
Providing more guidelines in completing the assessment
More flexibility in assignments deadlines
Receiving online updates when assignments are posted online
Delivery of lectures in an interactive methodology to ensure
participation of all students
Downloading material (internet speed)

30. Quality Assurance
Ongoing Process
oAssessment of learning outcomes
oQuality assurance of the program
Closely Monitored
oImprove the offerings with time
oQuality of learning

31. Course Approval
All program/course proposals will be considered by department and
curriculum committee in the faculty, but they must include the following
E-learning training of faculty by ACPS
Has an appropriate standard and quality indicators/processes
Target students (needs of students and employers)
Reflect the Faculty’s Strategic Objectives as well as Faculty/Department Plans
Sustainability
Have appropriate human and learning resources
Show coordination with IT, Registrar, Finance for added virtual students and
needed resources
The above aims to prevent programs starting, which are inadequately planned
and may lead to poor retention and achievement

32. DIPLOMA KEY SUCCESS FACTORS

33. Pro-Green Elements of Success
 Program inclusiveness within AUB: Group of faculty responsible for the
offerings and program quality.
 Training for Instructors: Committed Trainers; Faculty Effort; Incentives
 Resources: LMS platform; IT skills; network support; software
availability (storyline…); admissions, registrar and finance team;
automation all process including payment of fees.
 Support: e-learning team: setting accounts and authentications;
supporting faculty and students; counseling, advising, instructional
material; archiving…

34. Pro-Green Elements of Success Cont’d
 Quality assurance: Evaluation of learning outcomes; evidence of
learning; modality of examinations; class size policy (minimum 6
students; maximum 20 but could be reduced to 15 students per class)
 Program Promotion: Network of learners
 Collaborative Provision

35. Joint Online Diploma Challenges
IT platform: MOODLE in the Cloud
Online joint admissions website for the three institutions:
AUB Link: https://admissions.progreendiploma.com/?uni=AUB
AUC Link: https://admissions.progreendiploma.com/?uni=AUC
LAU Link: https://admissions.progreendiploma.com/?uni=LAU
Online joint registration application that keeps individual institution identity
Synchronization of course offering, registration, grading and transcripts
Coordination among Administration Staff for IT, Admissions, Registrar,
Comptroller for the three Universities
Online course design training and coordination

36. Future Perspective -Short Term
Synchronization:
Moodle, Banner and Student Information System
Higher number in student enrollment in the
program.
100-200 student in Year 2

37. Future Perspective – Long Term
 Recognition by the Ministry of Higher Education in Lebanon
Online certificates and diplomas
Transfer of online towards regular master degree credits
 Establish professional recognition of the diploma
Professional engineering societies for career advancement in
companies
 Broadening the diploma in other fields

38. Acknowledgment
EU support and partner institutions
Masri Institute of Energy and Natural Resources Support
FEA support
E-learning team at AUB and IT support
Admissions and Registrar staff at AUB, LAU, and AUC
Participating students, faculty, and advisory board

39. Online Diploma in Green Technologies
http://www.progreendiploma.com
Thank you