Comparative Study of Mobile Lab and Smart Lab

Comparative Study of Mobile Lab and Smart Lab: Approaches for Conducting Practicals in Blended Learning Mode at Virtual University of Pakistan Prof. Dr. Masroor Ellahi Babar Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology Virtual University of Pakistan

Life Sciences at VU VU started life science programs in 2014 and currently following degree programs are being offered: BS: Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Zoology M. Sc: Zoology MS: Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Zoology and Genetic Ph. D: Biotechnology

Life Sciences at VU Being ICT based university we have recorded theory in modular form but for practicals we have established six Labs in the following cities Lahore Rawalpindi Multan Karachi Peshawar Faisalabad

Research Projects Won by Life Science worth ≈ 50 Million S. N Title Principal Investigator Funding Agency Amount (Million) 1 Selection of Superior Beetal Goat/ Bucks for Increasing Milk Productivity Prof. M. E. Babar PARB-Punjab 14. 085 2 Transcriptome Analysis of Milk Production Genes for Developing Libraries of Pakistani Buffalo Prof. M. E. Babar ALP-PARCIslamabad 5. 991 Dr. Abdul Wajid PARB-Punjab 4. 000 3 Preparation of effective Vaccine against Newcastle disease using recombinant DNA technology and study in chicken (as Co-PI) 4 Responding to Climate Change: Gene Expression Profiling of Heat Tolerance in Pakistani Cattle Breeds. Dr. Tanveer Hussain HEC-Pakistan 3. 700 5 Strengthening of the Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore Dr. Tanveer Hussain HEC-Pakistan 2. 755 6 Selection of Superior Dera Din Panah Goats for Milk and meat production Prof. M. E. Babar HEC-Pakistan 9. 97 7 Genotyping By Sequencing (GBS) Based Genome Exploration of Pakistani Camel to Determine their Genetic Potentials as the Animal of Future Dr. Tanveer Hussain HEC-Pakistan 7. 63 8 Distribution, Habitat Assessment and Population Status of Asiatic Rock Python (Python molurus) in Punjab, Pakistan Prof. M. E. Babar WWF 0. 600 9 Genomic Study for Genetic Diversity, Phylogeny and Conservation of Urial (Ovis Orientalis Vignei). Dr. Tanveer Hussain WWF 0. 595

Lahore Labs

Multan Lab Karachi Lab Rawalpindi Lab Peshawar Lab

Problem VUP students are spread all over the country including the remote areas Students face difficulties like accommodation, travelling and pausing their routine activities to reach nearby physical lab. To overcome this issue, VUP conceived the idea of Lab on Wheels so that instead of students travelling, the lab should reach to their door step

Solution n n Lab on Wheels Smart Lab Objective To provide equal wet lab facilities to all VUP students at their door steps

Lab on Wheels In advanced countries, the concept of mobile labs is not new

Lab on Wheels

Basic Requirements of a Mobile Lab Main Facilities/ Features Power supply/ Generator Work areas Onboard water tanks Multimedia for demonstrations AC Washing area for washing glass wares Working kitchen (optional) Wash room (optional)

Equipment for Mobile Lab All necessary equipment required for practical training of ongoing Life Sci degree programs

History of Mobile Lab Design Dr. /Salwa Hassan Teama 2012

Lab on wheels

Lab on Wheels

Dr. /Salwa Hassan Teama 2012

Smart Lab Various difficulties faced during practical sessions in ML such as Space for mounting ML, n Electricity and water supply, n limited sitting space for the students and n especially The students feedback i. e. ML is best suited for conducting practical sessions of Zoology students, VUP felt to establish Smart Lab.

The Idea of Smart Lab The idea was that a mini truck/ mazda will be used for carrying and moving bio-lab equipment and consumables, packed in trollies to the designated VUP campuses. After that, the equipment is moved to the next VUP campus for conducting practical sessions arranged using the same equipment and consumables and so on. Dr. /Salwa Hassan Teama 2012

The Idea of Smart Lab To prevent from damaging the equipment during travel, high quality foam was placed all around the equipment in the trolley/ vehicle. Dr. /Salwa Hassan Teama 2012

Practicals in Smart Lab Dr. /Salwa Hassan Teama 2012

Survey – Mobile Lab and Smart Lab

Mobile Lab Vs. Smart Lab Mobile Lab Smart Lab A well-furnished and customized bus equipped with all necessities for conducting practical classes Not a bus. Biological equipment is moved through a mini truck to a designated station Bus is mounted at the selected Biological equipment is shifted station and practical classes are to the physical room prepared arranged in the bus with a capacity for conducting practical of 25 seats sessions Bus is moved to the next station The equipment is shifted to the along with equipment after a next place through the mini specified period of time Mazda

Conclusions Based on the survey of 350 students it was concluded that • Students preferred to work in smart lab as compared to mobile lab • Smart lab is much cheaper • Movement of the equipment is much easier • Development cost of smart lab is comparatively less • More comfortable environment in smart lab • Students feel that they are working in conventional lab

Future line of actin The concept of mobile and smart lab opens new horizons in the filed of open and distance learning. There is a need to establish more such labs in the filed of agriculture, health sciences, engineering etc. Such labs can be more useful for vocational trainings to produce skilled man power for the countries need as well as to meet the requirements of many other countries

Thank you