LAHORE: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on Monday between the Information Technology University and edX, an online learning destination and massive open online course provider, offering high-quality courses from the world’s best universities and institutions to learners everywhere. The signing ceremony was held at the Information Technology University, which was attended ITC Vice Chancellor Dr Umar Saif and Dr Anant Agarwal, professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and chief executive officer of edX. According to a statement, the successful collaboration between the Information Technology University and edX will lead to the formation of the first digital university in Pakistan and one of the first universities in the world to integrate courses offered by edX into the university’s accredited degree programmes. As part of the collaboration, the newly launched micro-masters’ programmes from edX will be fully integrated into multiple degree programmes offered by the ITU. Under the MoU, edX courses will be taught to students under the direct supervision of the ITU faculty, whilst using edX digital study materials and technological platform. Additional lectures, recitations and tutorials will be offered by ITU faculty members to integrate edX courses in classrooms. Upon successful completion of a given course, students at the ITU will be given a certificate by edX and the partner university, offering courses on the edX platform e.g. MIT, Harvard, and Columbia, etc. Initially, the ITU is offering its students edX courses in electrical engineering by the MIT. ITU students will also earn university credits and grades counting towards their degree requirements at the ITU. Speaking on the occasion, the vice chancellor said, “The collaboration with edX will allow Pakistani students to take courses from top universities in the world in their classrooms at the Information Technology University under the supervision of the ITU faculty members. This is the first of its kind partnership of edX with any university, in which online courses on edX will be integrated into classrooms.” He added: “We will be integrating edX micro-masters into masters’ programmes in data sciences and development economics from next year. Currently, our students of electrical engineering have been enrolled in the circuits and electronics course at the MIT through this partnership. In his address, edX CEO Anant Agarwal said, “By leveraging technology and its university partnerships, the ITU is offering its students a blended learning environment focused on improved learning outcomes by combining the best of online education with classroom instruction. We are honoured to partner with the ITU and to work together to further our shared mission of increasing access to high-quality education.”