The COVID-19 pandemic prompted higher education institutions to adopt distance learning to meet evolving educational needs, sparking debates over the impact of instructional and assessment methods on student performance. Terms like "online learning" and "e-learning" are often used interchangeably, complicating comparisons of educational approaches. In this study, "distance learning" refers to scenarios where students are physically separated but connected through technology.

As universities embraced various instructional methods, including face-to-face, distance, and blended learning, 80% of institutions shifted towards blended learning post-pandemic, combining in-person and online instruction. This shift also led to adopting diverse assessment strategies, such as online exams, project-based assignments, and face-to-face evaluations in practical disciplines, to accommodate different learning goals and improve accessibility.

Despite the flexibility distance learning offers, challenges persist in assessment. Without direct supervision, ensuring academic integrity becomes difficult, and some students struggle with access to online assessments or understanding instructions. Additionally, the lack of face-to-face interaction can hinder the delivery of timely and meaningful feedback, which is crucial for student success.

To address these challenges, this study introduces "fused learning," a novel approach that combines the strengths of distance instruction with the accountability of face-to-face assessments. This new methodology improves student engagement and performance, particularly in continuous assessments, by integrating online teaching with in-person evaluations, offering students personalized feedback while maintaining academic integrity. This approach is particularly beneficial in fields that require hands-on skills, such as business, engineering, and medicine, where real-world applications and immediate feedback are essential for developing critical thinking and technical proficiency.

Keywords: Higher education, fused learning, distance education, assessment.