Preamble
Semester II is finally here and brings with it three core courses: ‘Scholarship of Discovery in Education’ (SDE), ‘Assessment of Learning’ (AoL), and ‘Program Evaluation’ (PRE). The main goal of the SDE course is to help you identify a topic of inquiry, formulate research questions, and select and implement appropriate methodologies. This will enable you to acquire foundational knowledge and skills to support your education research. The role of theory in designing and implementing education research including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods, how to interpret and present data, maintain ethical standards and rigor in the research process, along with fundamentals of research dissemination and achieving impact, are all key steps in this journey. Our aim is to provide guided learning at each of these stages. You will learn through hands-on activities and by building your synopsis through practice and the support of your research supervisors. Please remember that the purpose of any research is to contribute meaningfully to the scholarly landscape and to enhance educational practices within healthcare professions. This remains our ultimate goal for you, and we hope that the new knowledge and insights you generate related to teaching and learning, curriculum, assessment, and program evaluation are shared across forums, and that your contribution motivates others and brings about change. Assessment of Learning (AoL) in healthcare professions is a critical process that ensures professionals acquire and demonstrate the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies for effective practice. It is a fundamental component of educational practice and essential for evaluating student achievement and refining pedagogical strategies. Unlike formative assessments, AoL evaluates competence and readiness for real-world responsibilities. Assessment methods such as clinical evaluations, practical skills assessments, written exams, and simulations are designed to be rigorous, objective, and reflective of healthcare practice. Their primary purpose is to ensure that professionals are competent and possess the clinical, theoretical, and ethical understanding required for safe patient care. These assessments also help validate the effectiveness of training programs and align them with regulatory standards, while supporting decisions about student progression, grading, and placement. Ultimately, they serve as benchmarks for institutional accountability and ensure the ongoing competence of healthcare providers. The third course, Program Evaluation (PRE), is the systematic process of assessing the effectiveness, efficiency, and relevance of a program. It involves collecting and analyzing data to determine whether a program is meeting its intended goals and whether it is being implemented as planned. Program evaluation supports informed decision-making, helps improve outcomes, and ensures efficient resource allocation. As future leaders and educators in the healthcare field, your understanding of how to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of educational programs is essential for delivering high-quality training and education.
Dr. Rukhsana Ayub, Dr. Naushaba Sadiq, Dr. Fozia Fatima, Dr. Asiya Zahoor, Dr. Hanaa Fatima & Dr. Adeela Bashir
MHPE Coordinator
Dr Asiya Zahoor
