The Virtual University: Trends and Challenges in Libya Elmergib University as Case Study

Abstract

E-Learning is playing a significant role in education to improve student's skills and teach them new ways for managing their knowledge and information. Recently few public universities in Libya have initiated limited attempts to use e-learning alongside traditional classroom. However, different obstacles are preventing successful adoption of this technology. It is obvious that effective ICT implementation should focus on understanding individual faculty needs. Then a thorough investigation is conducted in relation to the importance of implementing electronic education at Libyan universities, and including faculty members in every step of the planning and implementation of up-to-date technologies, as well as the challenges and solutions of ICT implementation. This paper focused on the overall scenario of virtual universities by narrative review of past researches. The present research aimed to highlight challenges that hinder effective implementation of e-learning in Libya and recommend possible solutions to tackle them. A total of 70 respondents voluntarily participated in this research. They consisted of academic staff (N=8), professors in charge of e-learning (N=2), and undergraduate students (N=60). The method was used to collect data is a survey instrument. Data was then analyzed and reported quantitatively and qualitatively. This provided in-depth understanding to the current status of e-learning in Libyan universities and highlighted major hindrances of its successful application. Based on this analysis, the study proffered many recommendations that should be considered in order to fully benefit from e-learning technologies and the possible of converting Elmergib university to virtual university.