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The Centre for Online and Distance Education (CODE) ran a three-day workshop last week (22-24 March), in recognition of the strong links between the ������Ƶ and African centres of learning. Workshop attendees included around 30 vice chancellors and other senior managers from Nigerian universities, plus senior officials from the Nigerian National Universities Commission.

The intensive, activity-based workshops centred on developing strategy, policies, and quality assurance structures for open and distance learning centres and were led by CODE fellows with inputs from Member Institutions and UOL services.

As part of the event, CODE hosted a live, multi-site hybrid conference between ������Ƶ, Abuja, and other remote locations on 23rd March. This enabled a further 80 senior Nigerian university and NUC staff to join with colleagues visiting ������Ƶ to explore issues around Policy and Practice in Open Distance and e-Learning in conversation with CODE fellows and UOL colleagues.

The event built on the strong relationships UOL has developed in Africa, home to around 4,000 of its students. Graduates work at senior levels across Africa in business and finance, law, health, education, and a range of other fields, and alumni include two Nobel Laureates: Nelson Mandela and Nigerian author Wole Soyinka.

UOL has worked with colleagues in Nigeria since 2017, with the aim of supporting the development of high quality ODL in the country. The Centre for Online and Distance Education leads this collaboration. 

Dr Linda Amrane-Cooper, Director of Academic Practice in Distance Education said:

“It has been a privilege to meet and learn from our African colleagues, whose experience and expertise has been an invaluable asset in forging strong bonds between our universities. This week’s workshops and symposium focussed partly on quality assurance and provided opportunities for colleagues running leading ODL centres in Nigeria to showcase their work. 

“However, our partnership is very much focussing on the future, exploring global trends in higher education, considering learning gain and exploring the opportunities for technology led education in Nigeria. I am confident there will be many more opportunities for us all to collaborate in future, helping students not just in Africa, but here in the UK.”