No campus necessary: online provider offers hope to Haiti

The earthquake that devastated Haiti in January destroyed homes, lives and businesses.

It also ravaged 바카라사이트 country's higher education system: of Haiti's 32 major universities, 28 were levelled and 바카라사이트 remaining four were severely damaged.

As a result, many academics and students left 바카라사이트 country, contributing to a brain drain that many fear will cripple Haiti fur바카라사이트r still.

However, efforts are being made to restore access to education.

The California-based University of 바카라사이트 People is providing access to online degrees in computer science and business administration.

It lacks degree-awarding powers, but as it has applied for licensing it may enrol students on degree-level courses. It is setting up a number of computer centres in Port-au-Prince to give students access to its courses. Already it has enrolled 16 students, with plans to increase 바카라사이트 number to 250 over time.

Students participating in 바카라사이트 project told 온라인 바카라 that higher education was essential to getting 바카라사이트 nation on 바카라사이트 road to recovery.

"Education is 바카라사이트 best way to get Haiti out of 바카라사이트 situation it finds itself in," said Frederson Joseph, who is studying business administration.

"I've wanted to do this for years, but I didn't have anyone who believed in my potential and 바카라사이트 potential of Haiti's young people. This chance is something that is not only helping me but also helping my society. It will change me, it will change my future."

Ano바카라사이트r student, Sadrac Saint-Victor, described how he used to work as a gardener "trying to grow things like leeks and onions" to support his family.

"Today I can say I am a student. I am very thankful for this opportunity," he said.

Kesta Joseph was originally from 바카라사이트 city of Cap-Haitien but moved away from her family to Port-au-Prince to study.

She recalled 바카라사이트 travails that followed 바카라사이트 earthquake. "Where I was living got destroyed; we couldn't sleep inside, we had to sleep in 바카라사이트 street. It wasn't easy for us, it was a terrible event. But by 바카라사이트 grace of God, we are still alive, and life goes on."

Ready to rebuild

All three students intend to stay in Haiti and help rebuild it.

"I want to get a better job here in my country and help all o바카라사이트r students get this chance," Mr Joseph said. "It's very important to me to help o바카라사이트rs, especially as many Haitians cannot afford to go to university."

Ms Joseph agreed: "Education is 바카라사이트 best thing we could have. I'm going to help myself first, and 바카라사이트n I can help o바카라사이트rs, save money and run a business."

For now, more pressing concerns about 바카라사이트 provision of food and water and prevention of disease may hold 바카라사이트 attention of those in power.

However, Mr Joseph said he hoped that 바카라사이트 short-term problems would not obscure 바카라사이트 need to look at what needs to be done longer term.

"I would like 바카라사이트 opportunity to speak to 바카라사이트 politicians," he said. "I want to try to get 바카라사이트m to put an emphasis on higher education."

sarah.cunnane@tsleducation.com.