About CROWN

Q: What is CROWN?

A: CROWN (Capacity Building and Resilience Open Web-based Network) is a free online learning platform offering short, practical courses in public health, epidemiology, and related fields. It is developed under Areta Aramak Research Services Organization to strengthen public health capacity in Afghanistan and other low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings.

Q: Who is CROWN for?

A: CROWN is designed for public health workers, field epidemiologists, medical and nursing students, laboratory personnel, and other professionals and learners who want to build practical, applied skills in public health and epidemiology. Courses are also open to anyone with a general interest in the field.

Q: Who developed CROWN?

A: CROWN is developed and maintained by Areta Aramak Research Services Organization, in coordination with public health partners and subject-matter contributors involved in field epidemiology training and applied research.

Getting Started

Q: Do I need to create an account to access courses?

A: Yes. A free account is required to enroll in courses, track your progress, and receive a certificate of completion.

Q: How do I register?

A: Click “Sign In” or “Start Learning Free” from the homepage, then follow the registration prompts to create your account with your name and email address.

Q: Is there a cost to use CROWN?

A: No. All courses currently offered on CROWN are free of charge.

Q: Is CROWN available in Dari or Pashto?

A: CROWN is being developed at the preliminary stage with a focus on English Language. However, the next stage of the courses is offering programs in national languages of Afghanistan.

Q: Can I access CROWN on my mobile phone?

A: Yes. The platform is built to be accessible on both desktop and mobile browsers, recognizing that many learners primarily access the internet via mobile devices.

Courses and Content

Q: What topics does CROWN cover?

A: Course topics include field epidemiology, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), immunization and EPI, One Health, emergency preparedness and response, and related public health skills. New courses are added over time; check the Course Catalog for the current offering.

Q: How long does a course take to complete?

A: Course length varies. Each course listing indicates its estimated duration and structure (e.g., number of modules or lessons) so you can plan your learning accordingly.

Q: Can I learn at my own pace?

A: Yes. Courses are self-paced — you can start, pause, and resume lessons at any time, and your progress is saved to your account.

Q: Are courses developed by qualified experts?

A: Yes. Course content is developed and reviewed by public health and epidemiology professionals, drawing on established training frameworks and field experience.

Q: Will new courses be added in the future?

A: Yes. CROWN is under active development, and new courses are planned across additional public health and epidemiology topics.

Certificates

Q: Do I receive a certificate after completing a course?

A: Yes. Upon meeting a course’s completion requirements, you will receive a certificate of completion that you can snap from your learner dashboard. However, on monthly basis, you will receive up to three verifiable certificates in pdf format.

Q: Does the certificate count as professional accreditation or continuing education credit?

A: Not unless explicitly stated on the certificate itself. CROWN certificates confirm completion of course content; they do not automatically constitute a professional license, accreditation, or continuing education credit. Meanwhile, the team is working to offer collaboration with accredited bodies to establish educational credits in near future.

Q: Can I verify the authenticity of a CROWN certificate?

A: Yes. If you need to verify a certificate (for example, for an employer or academic institution) contact us using the details on the Contact page. Moreover, the monthly offering of verifiable certificates are given with specific QR code.

Technical Support

Q: What do I need to access CROWN?

A: A device with an internet connection and an up-to-date web browser (such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari) is sufficient to access all course content.

Q: I’m having trouble logging in or accessing a course. Who do I contact?

A: Reach out via the Contact page or email our support team directly. Please include your registered email address and a description of the issue so we can assist you efficiently.

Q: Does CROWN work with a slow or unstable internet connection?

A: The platform is designed with LMIC connectivity constraints in mind, but course materials that include video may require a stable connection to stream smoothly. Where possible, downloadable materials are provided as an alternative.

Privacy and Data

Q: What information does CROWN collect about me?

A: CROWN collects the information you provide at registration (such as your name and email), along with course progress and completion data needed to issue certificates. Full details are available in our Privacy Policy.

Q: Will my information be shared with third parties?

A: We do not sell personal information. Limited data is shared with service providers that support platform operations (such as analytics and email communication tools), as described in our Privacy Policy.

Q: How do I request that my data be deleted?

A: Contact us using the details on the Contact page, and we will process your request in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Still Have Questions?

Q: I couldn’t find the answer I was looking for. What should I do?

A: Contact us directly through the Contact page, and a member of the CROWN team will respond to your inquiry.