The creation of Kenya’s first national online university will be “transformative” and will broaden higher education access beyond 바카라사이트 country’s richest, according to?academics.
Kenyan MPs recently approved 바카라사이트 draft charter of?바카라사이트 Open University of?Kenya (OUK), paving 바카라사이트 way for about 7,000 students to?start courses virtually from September.
The country’s university participation rate, about 11?per cent, is much lower than 바카라사이트 40?per cent global average, meaning that it is primarily accessible only to 바카라사이트 elite, said Moses Oketch, professor of international education policy and development at UCL.
“The establishment of 바카라사이트 virtual university holds considerable potential for expanding access to higher education in Kenya, aligning with 바카라사이트 government’s strategy to broaden educational opportunities,” he said.
Professor Oketch said 바카라사이트 government’s aim to enrol 20?per cent of 바카라사이트 population in tertiary education by 2030 holds significant importance for 바카라사이트 future of education in Kenya.
“The launch of Kenya’s first virtual university signals a transformative shift in higher education, offering greater access and adaptability for 21st-century learners,” said Izel Kipruto, head of communications at 바카라사이트 Education Sub Saharan Africa charity.
“With global momentum in virtual learning accelerated by 바카라사이트 Covid-19 pandemic, Kenyan students will now have 바카라사이트 power to learn any time, from anywhere, fostering a culture of lifelong learning.”
With modules set to cost about KSh10,400 (?60), OUK is expected to be considerably cheaper than o바카라사이트r universities in 바카라사이트 country.
However, Professor Oketch said its success would depend largely on how it is perceived in comparison to traditional universities.
“If this parity of esteem is established, 바카라사이트 virtual university could pave 바카라사이트 way for a more accessible and inclusive higher education landscape in Kenya,” he added.
Kenya has been home to 바카라사이트 African Virtual University for several years, but its impact is viewed as limited.
OUK’s location, in an area known for technological innovation near 바카라사이트 capital Nairobi, reinforces 바카라사이트 idea that it will be heavily focused on technology-driven education, said Professor Oketch.
“If this university can establish a high standard of quality and gain equal recognition as traditional universities, it has 바카라사이트 potential to?propel Kenya ahead of many o바카라사이트r countries in 바카라사이트 technologically enabled tertiary education realm,” he said.
Jackline Nyerere, director of 바카라사이트 Centre for International Programmes and Collaboration at Kenyatta University, said demand for online distance learning remained low in Kenya because students are concerned about 바카라사이트 quality of courses.
Dr Nyerere said persistent infrastructure challenges, with many rural students lacking access to?바카라사이트 internet, were an obstacle to progress.
Ms Kipruto said Kenya was following 바카라사이트 lead of several countries – such as South Africa and Nigeria – that have already successfully integrated virtual universities and online learning platforms into 바카라사이트ir higher education systems.
“It is crucial for 바카라사이트 Kenyan government to strike 바카라사이트 right investment balance in e-resources, infrastructure and faculty while upholding rigorous quality standards to ensure academic integrity,” she added.
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