Higher Education in COVID-19: From Emergency to Sustainable Remote Education

Many higher education sectors (HEs) worldwide have adopted different digital platforms and systems to ensure the continuity of educational delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. The adopted methods include both asynchronous and synchronous learning by providing eLearning solutions that solve the current crises of the pandemic, including the inconveniences caused by quarantines and lockdown. This improvised learning mode has led to adopting blended learning and distance learning, a form of emergency remote education (ERE) created to solve the disruptions of the pandemic but not to sustain education in the long run through a sustained form of remote education (SRE). This paper explores the difference between these two forms of education through a gap analysis model that shows the current educational practices and the ideal eLearning environment that can serve as sustained remote education. In addition, the deficiencies and pitfalls of emergency remote education are addressed to bridge the gap and transfer this education form into a permanent but sustainable remote education system. Finally, the paper concludes with recommendations and solutions to sustain remote education in the Post COVID-19 phase.