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| African Virtual University |
The meeting was held on Thursday 26th September 2013 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi.
Dr. Bakary Diallo, Rector African Virtual University, said, "We have designed an online Applied Computer Science Program to address the continental need for high-skilled computer scientists. The number of computer scientist graduating out of the on -campus programs is not enough to meet the current growth of the ICT sector."
He also added that they wanted to involve the private sector to ensure the curriculum responds to the needs of Africa's growing ICT sector.
The curriculum for the Bachelor of Applied Computer Science program was developed collaboratively by leading academics from 18 African Universities during a five day workshop Computer Science and Teacher Education Curriculum Design Workshop held between 20th and 25th May, 2013 in Nairobi Kenya.
The workshop was convened as a result of the policy Harmonization and Curriculum Conceptualization workshop which was held earlier in July 2012, where vice chancellors from 26 African Universities advised AVU to create the programme for open distance and e-learning as part of its Phase II Multinational Project.
The Applied Computing Science Program is designed to provide access to Africans who can not be accommodated in on-campus programs or full-time studies. The focus on Applied Computer Science means learners will gain employable skills and knowledge that will aid them in supporting the development and growth of ICTs across Africa.
After two years equivalent studies a diploma can be issued and an additional 2 years will lead to a Bachelor's degree.
A key advantage of having the program deployed across several universities will be student mobility as those migrating to regional job markets will have a credential that can be recognized else where and should various institutions start offering specializations at degree level, then distance learners will have an opportunity to select from broader range of courses or take a specialized degree that is not offered in their country.
AVU being a Pan African Intergovernmental Organization whose aim is to significantly increase access to quality higher education and training through the innovative use of Information and Communication Technologies has trained over 43, 000 students across Africa and established the largest network of Open Distance and E-learning institutions in over 30 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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