1. The African Virtual University
Leading eLearning in Africa
Innovations in Delivering Higher Education:
Lessons from AVU Model
Dr. Bakary Diallo – Rector AVU
oer.avu.org

2. OUTLINE Introduction: Who we are ?
4th industrial Revolution: Courses we are offering.
Virtual University: What Role in supporting soft skill development?
Collaboration: What do we do?

3. BRIEF ON AVU 75k A Pan African Intergovernmental Organization
Mandate-to increase access to quality higher education and training through use of ICTs
A Pan African Intergovernmental Organization
Countries have signed AVU Charter
Partner Institutions
Works Across Africa in English, French and Portuguese over 30 African Countries
Has trained more than 75,092 students since inception
75k

4. AVU PRESENCE IN AFRICA AVU Offices Kenya AVU Headquarters, Nairobi
Cape Office Park
Ring Road, Kilimani
P.O. Box
Nairobi, Kenya
Senegal
Regional Office in Dakar
Bureau Régional de l’Afrique de L’Ouest
Sicap Liberte VI Extension
Villa No. 8 VDN, B.P
Dakar, Senegal

5. 4th Industrial Revolution- Courses Offered
Development of Blended (online & face-to-face) bachelor in Applied Computer Science, focus on Skills, with 18 African universities
About enrollment in certificate programs at 27 African partner institutions
Teachers : ICT basic Skills & Integration of ICT in Education
Computer Science
Skills for Employability
Faculty Professional development in open distance and eLearning

6. MOOCs@AVU Enrolments ICT to enrich teaching & Learning : 1701
cMOOC (c for connectionist) for community building where there is more of a collaborative exploration of a topic with multiple contributors
xMOOC - pre-canned behaviourist courses with short video presentations from an instructor, readings, small interactive quizzes and a test that leads to a certificate of completion
AVU as a leading Pan African organization in ODeL must look into the MOOCs and strategize on capitalizing on their potential. They have attracted the attention of African governments and regional organizations. The African Development Bank has requested AVU to take the lead in this area. AVU will look at the potential role of MOOCs in increasing access to quality educational and to human capital in the formal and informal sector.
The AVU is looking at how to MOOCs can be integrated into its Business Plan, Consortium Program Model, OER strategy, and the Multinational Project II. It will be important to look at the MOOC concept and find out how it can fit efficiently in the African context. From a technical perspective, AVU may consider to adapt its OER content to a web-based format, full instruction-path, with peer interactions. This will assist in boosting self-learning in the Consortium Program Model. For instance, courses focused on bridging math and science courses may be popular with this approach. The MOOCs can also be integrated in the formal courses, as well as in the programs offered through the Virtual Campus for Development and Peace.
Enrolments
ICT to enrich teaching & Learning : 1701
Peace Management & Conflict Resolution: 1803
Skills for Employability: 2192

7. Challenges Courses Offered
The challenges include:
Coordination with multiple partner institutions
Maintaining a high completion rate
Computer science certificate program: 75.3%
MOOCS: average 7.5%
Cost of programs, scholarships
Connectivity issues

8. Virtual Universities & Soft Skills
Over last four years the AVU hired a total of 20 interns
Placement of several AVU interns in the job market as soon as they complete their internships  
George Maringa, former AVU Intern reporting for KTN News in Kenya
AVU Interns with the Rector, Dr. Diallo

9. Virtual University & Soft Skills
Virtual University can use Artificial Intelligence & blockchain technology to enhance student data analytics and personalized learning.
This can enhance learning of soft skills such as communication, innovations, critical thinking and emotional intelligence
Micro-credentials or badges offer students and working professionals a way to bulk up their résumés with field-specific skills

10. Collaboration AVU collaborates with African & Global partners
We are seeking to provide word class services
Initial discussions held with global platform providers
Partnership is an important part of our strategy

11. AVU MULTINATIONAL PROJECT II

12. AVU MULTINATIONAL PROJECT II
Open & distance learning centers
Teacher Education
Applied Computer Science
Community of practice
Peace & Conflict resolution
Gender mainstreaming
Research & Development
Technical Assistance

13. What Next
Learning and building on 4th industrial revolution , and sharing with our network
Escalating offers – Full fledged university
Utilization of the existing assets: Our network, Open educational resources, experience (not to reinvent the wheel)
Collaboration opportunities

14. https://twitter.com/avu_org
The
African
Virtual
University
oer.avu.org