This study investigates the perceptions and experiences of students regarding the various aspects of online education while studying at the Pakistani Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and universities that shifted to online modes of instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus of this study was to identify the level of satisfaction of students with the support being provided to them by their institutes and instructors; the use of different modes of communication and assessment methods; and their home study environment. It also explored the positively and negatively influencing factors affecting online education, as perceived by them. An online questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey research design was chosen for conducting this study. Data were collected from 707 respondents belonging to various Pakistani HEIs and universities and analyzed using the SPSS software. The results revealed a considerable dissatisfaction among the study population regarding online education being provided to them during the COVID pandemic. The participants raised concerns over the lack of institutional support and the quality of online instruction. Other issues raised included unsuitable study environments, unavailability of electricity, and connectivity issues. Overall, the majority of the students indicated that they would not like to opt for online classes in the future once the pandemic was over.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created considerable implications for healthcare staff around the globe. During the pandemic, the frontline healthcare workers experience intense anxiety, stress, burnout, and psychological breakdown, with severe implications on their mental and physical well-being. In addition to these implications, anxiety and stress can hinder their productivity and ability to perform their duties efficiently. The literature indicates that hospital gardens and contact with nature can help alleviate psychological distress among hospital staff. However, few studies investigated the role of outdoor spaces as areas for respite and work breaks in healthcare facilities during the pandemic. The present opinion paper highlights the challenges of job stress and psychological distress health workers face during the pandemic. This article also underscores the role of hospital outdoor spaces and garden facilities in coping with the challenges. While other measures to reduce stress among hospital staff and ensure their health and safety are important, hospital administrators and relevant government agencies should also emphasize the provision of gardens and open spaces in healthcare facilities. These spaces can act as potential areas for respite for hospital staff to help them cope with the stress and anxiety accumulated through working under crises.

The COVID‐19 pandemic has posed many risks and implications for people of all ages and walks of life including children who in many cases have been mostly confined at their homes for months. The socioeconomic implications alone have significantly impacted children in various aspects and some of these effects will be long‐lasting. This is especially true for the children in underdeveloped countries, vulnerable communities, and neighborhoods where they are more susceptible to the ill effects of the pandemic such as health and survival issues, malnutrition, child labor and abuse. Moreover, the children have also had limited opportunities for interaction with their friends and due to the varying social distancing and lockdown conditions, have been prevented from physical activity and creative play which is crucial for their development as well as learning at this age. Consequently, the various implications of the pandemic may collectively affect the children’s cognitive, emotional, and social development. A positive take from this situation is the importance of collaboration among governmental & non‐governmental organizations at individual well as community levels. Through the cooperative efforts of all the stakeholders, the safety and security of the vulnerable children could be ensured for their healthy and better futures.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has severely impacted educational systems around the globe, necessitating rapid modifications to the educational milieu while safeguarding human health and wellbeing. Following the closure of universities in Saudi Arabia, the instructors of all theory courses were mandated to switch from face-to-face course delivery to remote teaching and learning. This research examines the challenges and impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the mode of teaching and learning and the numerous adaptations in the pedagogical framework of the Landscape Architecture program at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia. It also explores the opportunities the transition to online education presents to faculty and students moving forward. The data were collected using an online questionnaire survey and focus group discussions. Data analyses consisted of descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis. The research finds that the sudden transition to online teaching and learning disrupted academic activities and had negatively affected the existing teaching and learning framework. Therefore, the research recommends an adaptable and dynamic teaching framework agile enough to cope with sudden disruptions. It concludes with lessons for future teaching and learning frameworks and amendments for upcoming sessions to deal with similar situations.

During the last two decades or so we have witnessed unprecedented growth and expansion in higher education not only in the high income countries but in middle income and low income countries as well, Pakistan being no exception. In 2002 a new apex body, Higher Education Commission was established to manage affairs of higher education which adopted measures to improve the quality of higher education in the country. The HEC adopted a new framework and policy towards higher education and made strenuous efforts not only to bring quantitative expansion but to improve the quality of higher education in the country as well. Consequently, the academic community has witnessed an unprecedented expansion in higher education in terms of number of higher education institutions and its enrolment. One of the goals of Higher Education Commission was to develop research culture within the country and enhance research productivity of the universities and higher education institutions to help achieve the objectives of knowledge economy. This paper attempts to analyse the available data to assess the research productivity of Pakistani institutions of higher education, trends over the last decade or so in the number of articles produced and their citation index and to see what factors have contributed towards increasing the number of research articles, enhancing the visibility of research produced by Pakistani universities and identifying the most productive institutions in this regard. Results of the study may help in framing a policy and developing a strategy increase the research productivity of Pakistani institutions of higher education and improving its visibility and impact.