UNIMA Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sajidu and Secretary for Education Ken Ndala finalising the partnership
* ODeL has become extremely important because the four walls on campus for face-to-face education have limited space
* So, we want those who have not had the opportunity to study face-to-face to go for ODeL, and indeed most of them are going for ODeL
By Pickson Chipeso, Malawi News Agency (MANA)
The University of Malawi (UNIMA) has partnered with Malawi College of Distance Education (MCDE) to offer a postgraduate programme in Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL).
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After signing their memorandum of understanding (MoU) and a memorandum of agreement (MoA), UNIMA Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samson Sajidu said they have received the initiative with excitement.
He highlighted that the MoU gives a general framework on how UNIMA isgoing to collaborate with MCDE, while the MoA specifies specific issues that the two institutions are going to partner in.
“One exciting development in that MoA is the implementation of a Master’s Programme in ODeL,” Sajidu said. “This will be looking at developing capacity in human resources on how to run ODeL in the country.”
He added that ODeL has become extremely important because the four walls they have on campus “for face-to-face education have limited space”.
“So, we want those who have not had the opportunity to study face-to-face to go for ODeL, and indeed most of them are going for ODeL.”
UNIMA’s Chancellor College
Prof. Sajidu further highlighted that the ODeL will play a crucial role in expanding access to quality higher education, noting that while over 40,000 students qualify for tertiary education annually, only about 20,000 are absorbed by existing universities and colleges.
He further said the programme will produce expertise to run ODeL programmes even at secondary and primary school levels.
Secretary for Education, Science & Technology, Ken Ndala, described the partnership as a milestone in expanding access to higher education.
“This is important because Malawi is now moving into Open, Distance and e-Learning, and we have a lot of programmes that are being offered in that mode,” Ndala said.—Editing by Duncan Mlanjira; Maravi Express
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