T h e A f r i c a n V i r t u a l U n i v e r s i t y

Leading eLearning in Africa

www.avu.org oer.avu.org

Innovations in Delivering Higher

Education:Lessons from AVU

Model

Dr. Bakary Diallo – Rector AVU bdiallo@avu.org

1. Introduction: Who we are ?

2. 4th industrial Revolution: Courses we are offering.

3. Virtual University: What Role in supporting soft skill development?

4. Collaboration: What do we do?

OUTLINE

BRIEF ON AVU

A Pan African

Intergovernmental

Organization

Mandate-to increase

access to quality

higher education

and training through

use of ICTs

Countries have

signed AVU CharterPartner

Institutions

Works Across Africa

in English, French

and Portuguese over

30 African Countries

Has trained

more than

75,092 students

since inception75k

Kenya

AVU Headquarters, Nairobi

Cape Office Park

Ring Road, Kilimani

P.O. Box 25405 - 00603

Nairobi, Kenya

Senegal

Regional Office in Dakar

Bureau Régional de l’Afrique

de L’Ouest

Sicap Liberte VI Extension

Villa No. 8 VDN, B.P. 50609

Dakar, Senegal

AVU OfficesAVU PRESENCE IN AFRICA

4th Industrial Revolution- Courses Offered

▪Development of Blended (online & face-to-face) bachelor in

Applied Computer Science, focus on Skills, with 18 African

universities

▪About 1000+ enrollment in certificate programs at 27 African

partner institutions

▪ Teachers : ICT basic Skills & Integration of ICT in Education

▪ Computer Science

▪Skills for Employability

▪Faculty Professional development in open distance and

eLearning

MOOCs@AVU

Enrolments

▪ICT to enrich teaching & Learning : 1701

▪Peace Management & Conflict Resolution: 1803

▪ Skills for Employability: 2192

Challenges Courses Offered

▪The challenges include:

▪Coordination with multiple partner institutions

▪Maintaining a high completion rate

▪Computer science certificate program: 75.3%

▪MOOCS: average 7.5%

▪Cost of programs, scholarships

▪Connectivity issues

Virtual Universities & Soft Skills

• Over last four years the AVU hired a total of 20 interns

• Placement of several AVU interns in the job market as

soon as they complete their internships

AVU Interns with the Rector, Dr. DialloGeorge Maringa, former AVU Intern

reporting for KTN News in Kenya

Virtual University & Soft Skills

• Virtual University can use Artificial Intelligence & blockchain

technology to enhance student data analytics and

personalized learning.

• This can enhance learning of soft skills such as

communication, innovations, critical thinking and

emotional intelligence

• Micro-credentials or badges offer students and working

professionals a way to bulk up their résumés with field-

specific skills

Collaboration

• AVU collaborates with African & Global partners

• We are seeking to provide word class services

• Initial discussions held with global platform providers

• Partnership is an important part of our strategy

AVU MULTINATIONAL PROJECT II2012 - 2016

AVU MULTINATIONAL PROJECT II2012 - 2017

▪ Open & distance learning centers

▪ Teacher Education

▪ Applied Computer Science

▪ Community of practice

▪ Peace & Conflict resolution

▪ Gender mainstreaming

▪ Research & Development

▪ Technical Assistance

What Next

▪Learning and building on 4th industrial revolution , and sharing

with our network

▪Escalating offers – Full fledged university

▪Utilization of the existing assets: Our network, Open educational

resources, experience (not to reinvent the wheel)

▪Collaboration opportunities

T h e A f r i c a n V i r t u a lU n i v e r s i t y

www.avu.org

oer.avu.org

www.moocs.avu.org

www.youtube.com/avuorg