LETTERS: The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted higher education. Given that physical classrooms are changing to hybrid teaching and learning, we should reconsider the role of academic advising.
Academic advisers are no strangers to universities because they are the academic staff who are lecturers and academic advisers.
University lecturers not only teach students, but they also make sure students are on track academically.
If students' grades are not satisfactory, academic advisers can assess their courses.
Academic advisers can recommend programmes for students that will boost their experience as students and their future professions.
Most importantly, advisors can explain the registration and course selection processes.
They can also inform students about activities available, and advise students on how to juggle their time in events and competitions.
Advisers help students make the most of the opportunities available to them.
They offer much-needed human connection, bridging the gap between student' situation and their studies.
Before the pandemic, teaching and learning depended on students' presence in class.
Challenges in e-learning include adaptability and technical problems, and technological issues.
To overcome these concerns, universities have identified digital tools to boost the teaching pedagogy.
As teaching and learning have moved online, so did academic advising.
Since these advisors are not going to be replaced by technology, they should embrace it to offer better services.
They should find other ways to communicate with students beyond face-to-face meetings.
Online academic advising is important, especially during periods of potential disorientation and isolation for students.
It's evident that students need to be in contact with advisers more than ever
Questions about whether to drop courses, choosing minor programmes and which clubs bring out the best experience have to be dealt with.
Students need the expertise of advisers to make sense of their academic and career choices.
DR HAZIANTI ABDUL HALIM
Associate professor and deputy dean (Academic and International),
Faculty of Management and Economics
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjong Malim, Perak
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times