Seventeenth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

Abstract

International Association of Universities (IAU) Global Survey Report has highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on Higher Education across the world.The report contains a general assessment of COVID-19 impact on Higher Education in terms of communication, enrollment for new academic year, public policy research development and overall effect on teaching learning. Pakistan, being a fragile economy and budgetary cuts in higher education sector allocation, is no exception. In this backdrop, paradigm shift in educational guidance strategies is a prerequisite to respond Post COVID-19 teaching learning challenges in terms of planning and preparedness. This research aims to take stock of pre-pandemic educational guidance strategies at higher education level focused on professional, personal, and academic guidance. As a protective strategy, the research recommends revisiting existing educational guidance practices to respond challenges of post COVID-19 teaching, learning, and career progression of learners enrolled at post-secondary level. By employing qualitative case study research design, purposefully selected Student Advisors and Directors Guidance, Counseling and Placement Bureau, being key informants at sampled public and private sector universities located in Karachi city were interviewed in order to dig deep into the educational guidance phenomenon in changed scenario. The focal areas of educational guidance explored through this study include academic guidance, post stigma psychological counseling, and career guidance.The study recommends evidence-based strategies for provision of educational guidance to the learners enrolled at Higher Education Institutions HEIs in Pakistan. The proposed strategies of educational guidance are expected to assure learners’ adjustment to post-pandemic New Normal situation to maximize academic attainment.