𝐃𝐋𝐒𝐄𝐈 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭!
We’re excited to host a special webinar featuring 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 from Cohort 1 of DLSEI 3.0! Riaz Laghari,Dr. Rameen Khalid,Jawad Naseer,Muhammad Zulkifl Hasan,Muhammad Zunnurain Hussain.
Our amazing learners will share their Coursera experiences, learning journeys, and success strategies to inspire others.
Date: Thursday, 16th October
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Join via Zoom: https://coursera.zoom.us/j/91597140011#success
Don’t miss this chance to learn from our inspiring achievers.
DLSEI–Coursera Learner Webinar
Speaker: Riaz Laghari
Time: 3:100 PM – 3:20 PM (PKT) + 1-2 minutes Q&A session
Duration: ~10 minutes
Introduction
Assalam-o-Alaikum, and a very good afternoon to everyone.
My name is Riaz Hussain, though most of my academic and online work appears under the name Riaz Laghari. I currently serve as a Lecturer in English at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad, and I also work as a Cambridge International Examiner.
My field of interest lies in linguistics, language education, and discourse studies, particularly how language shapes thought, learning, and identity. My personal philosophy is simple: “Learn to live, live to learn.”
This philosophy defines both my classroom and my life beyond it. I teach to ignite curiosity, to help students see learning not as an obligation, but as a way of living meaningfully.
For those who wish to explore my reflections on teaching, assessment, and Pakistani discourse, I write regularly on Medium, Blogger, WordPress, and Substack.
It’s a real privilege to be here today, to share how the DLSEI–Coursera program transformed not only my academic growth but also my professional identity.
Joining the DLSEI–Coursera Program
After completing my FSc, I came to this city full of ambition and determination to succeed. Life took many turns, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, I faced some of the toughest challenges of my journey. At that point, I had two choices: to give up or to start over, and I chose to start over. After a 20-year gap, I enrolled in the MPhil program at NUML in 2021, which became a turning point in my academic and professional life. Through this program, I discovered the DLSEI–Coursera initiative, a government-supported, globally connected platform offering free access to world-class courses. Realizing its potential to modernize my teaching and enhance my research skills, I seized the opportunity wholeheartedly. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Courses and Why I Chose Them
I immersed myself in a wide range of courses across linguistics, TESOL, research, leadership, and emerging technologies.
In Communication and Public Speaking, I learned from Michigan, Washington, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, refining how I speak, present, and connect.
I also ventured into Creative Writing, Leadership, Technology, and AI for Education, taking courses from institutions like IBM, Google, Michigan, and Vanderbilt University.
My main focus was on Linguistics & Teaching of English. I explored:
Linguistics & Cognitive Science
I chose these courses because they aligned perfectly with my dual goals: to strengthen my academic research competence and to integrate modern, evidence-based practices into my classroom teaching.
Each course served a purpose: to strengthen my academic foundation, refine my pedagogy, and align my teaching with global standards, while remaining rooted in Pakistan’s local classroom realities.
Learning Experience and Time Management
Balancing a full-time teaching role with online learning was not easy, but Coursera’s flexibility made it possible.
I usually dedicated three to five hours each evening to study, and weekends became my deep-learning retreats. I didn’t see it as extra work; I saw it as an investment opportunity.
The modular format, peer interactions, and auto-feedback systems turned learning into a living dialogue rather than a solitary task.
What I appreciated most was the autonomy, the freedom to learn at my pace, revisit complex ideas, and apply new insights directly to my teaching the very next day.
Skills and Growth
The skills I gained through these courses have been transformative:
Critical thinking and academic writing: sharpened through rigorous assignments.
Digital pedagogy and assessment design: enabling me to create interactive online lessons.
Research and data interpretation: enhancing the quality of my linguistic analyses.
Communication and leadership: helping me connect better with students, colleagues, and institutions.
Most importantly, the program cultivated in me a habit of continuous learning, a mindset that outlasts certificates.
Impact on Academics and Career
The impact has been profound.
Academically, my teaching has evolved from lecture-based delivery to inquiry-driven learning. My students now learn with me, not from me.
Professionally, these certifications strengthened my academic profile, paving the way for my appointment as Lecturer at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad, and enabled me to secure a job as a Cambridge International Examiner.
I also began my PhD journey with greater confidence, supported by advanced research and writing skills honed through Coursera.
My long-standing passion for writing found a new direction as my blogs on Medium, Blogger, WordPress, and Substack now reach a growing global readership, reflecting how structured learning can fuel creative expression.
In essence, DLSEI–Coursera didn’t just upgrade my resume, but it also redefined my professional identity.
Role of DLSEI–Coursera
The DLSEI–Coursera initiative deserves heartfelt appreciation. It has democratized access to global knowledge and given Pakistani learners an equal footing in the digital education space.
It stands as proof that with the right vision, infrastructure, and support, Pakistan’s learners and educators can thrive internationally.
Every learner who logs in to Coursera through DLSEI is part of a quiet revolution, one that connects our classrooms to the world.
Message for New Learners
To all new learners listening today, my message is simple but essential:
Be consistent, be curious, and be reflective.
Don’t treat these courses as certificates to collect. Treat them as conversations with the best minds in the world.
Pause often, question deeply, and apply generously. The more you integrate what you learn, the more it transforms you.
DLSEI–Coursera can be your personal laboratory of transformation. Therefore, I urge you to approach it with sincerity, patience, and vision.
Thank you very much for listening. May we all continue to learn, share, and grow, for ourselves and for Pakistan.
Read more: DLSEI–HEC Coursera: A Catalyst for Transformative Professional Excellence
