Opening up distance learning in Nigeria

eSTEeM and the International Development Office were delighted to host a workshop for a delegation from Nigeria on the 12th and 13th November 2012. Titled ‘Effective Distance Learning for the 21st Century’ the aim of the workshop was to introduce the pedagogical strategies and university systems that underpin the OU’s success in distance learning and to discuss the approaches that will be successful in Nigeria.

 Attendees included Nigerian Vice-Chancellors, Directors from Distance Learning Centres and staff from the National Universities Commission as well as Professor Dele Braimoh, UNESCO Chair on Open and Distance Learning.

During the two days delegates were also able to meet with a number of senior OU staff including Professor Tim Blackman, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research, Scholarship and Quality), Professor Alan Bassindale Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) and Andrew Law (Director of Open Media Unit).

Professor Steve Swithenby, Co-Director of eSTEeM (Science), commented “Distance learning in Nigeria has unique potential to reduce the 800,000 shortfall in annual enrolment. We have been advising our Nigerian colleagues since 2009 and hope to find a way of expanding the partnership to transform access to universities in a country with a great thirst for education.”

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Image: Diane Ford