Enhancing learner support in open higher education.
The Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA) #COL_CEMCA, the regional centre of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) #COL4D, partnered with the Jharkhand State Open University (JSOU) to host a 'Capacity Building Workshop for Learner Support Centre (LSC) Coordinators and Staff' in Jharkhand, India. JSOU is the most recent addition to the list of open universities (OUs) in India, so CEMCA signed an MOU with the university to strengthen its open and distance learning (ODL) system.
The training aimed to build essential skills for the 145 participants, leading to more and better prospects for distance learners at JSOU. The workshop is expected to result in a more proficient and effective workforce capable of advancing the institution's mission of providing high-quality distance education opportunities to the unreached communities in Jharkhand state, where a significant proportion of the population continues to experience poverty.
The workshop Sessions covered the role of LSCs in expanding ODL, academic counsellor responsibilities, regulatory frameworks, and the use of technology for admissions, finance, examinations, and teaching.
Training methods included situational analysis, presentations, discussions, group activities, and participant assessments, ensuring a hands-on learning experience. The workshop reinforced the strategic importance of LSCs in enhancing ODL access and effectiveness in India.
Professor (Dr) T N Sahu, Vice Chancellor, JSOU, commended CEMCA’s support to ODL institutions in India and referred to the recent MOU as an essential step towards establishing JSOU as an institution of repute among Indian OUs. Dr B. Shadrach, Director of CEMCA, underscored the pivotal role LSCs may play as the primary interface for JSOU to reach learners in remote and underserved areas.
Link to news: www.col.org/news/enhancing-learner-support-in-open-higher-education/
#OpenEducation #DistanceLearning #LearnerSupport #HigherEducation #ODL #CapacityBuilding #EducationalWorkshops #IndiaEducation
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The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) @COL4D congratulates Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang @NJOAgyemang on being sworn in as Ghana's first female vice president – the latest in a long line of achievements breaking new boundaries for women.
COL benefited from Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s knowledge in her previous role as the Honourable Minister of Education, and in 2016, she was conferred the COL Honorary Fellowship during the Eight Pan-Commonwealth Forum held in Kuala Lumpur (see attached image).
COL continues to work with partners in Ghana in the areas of teacher education and higher education and recently initiated a project with the Centre for National Distance Learning and Open Schooling to explore teacher-centric Gen AI. We look forward to possible future opportunities to engage with the Vice President in her new role.
#COL4D #WomenInLeadership #Ghana #BreakingBarriers #Education #HigherEducation #TeacherEducation #GenerativeAI #GhanaEducation #DistanceLearning #OpenEducation
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Empowering the Blind and Visually Impaired in the Solomon Islands.
With support from #COL4D and funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade #MFATNZ New Zealand, 200 participants recently graduated from the Solomon Islands’ "Taep Fo Laef" programme.
Led by the Blind and Vision Impaired Persons Support Initiative #BVIPSI, this diverse group of young and adult individuals, both male and female, who are blind or visually impaired have shown incredible resilience and adaptability. Participants ranged from those congenitally blind to those who lost their vision later in life due to accidents or health conditions.
The programme targeted youth ages 18 to 30 and adults ages 30 to 50, focusing on empowering them to regain independence and enhance societal participation. Outreach efforts included promotions through local community groups, social media, and collaborations with organisations dedicated to the blind and visually impaired, as well as outreach in schools, disability advocacy groups, and health institutions across the Solomon Islands.
Participants were equipped with essential computer and literacy skills tailored to accommodate their visual impairments. Training included using assistive technologies such as screen readers and specialised software, which are crucial for communication, learning, and employment. The curriculum also covered life skills like financial literacy, independent mobility, and effective communication techniques, all critical for improving the quality of life for the visually impaired.
Support from volunteers and mentors has been crucial to the success of the #TaepFoLaef programme. Many graduates noted that personalised mentoring was instrumental in helping them stay on course and navigate challenges. The guidance and encouragement from volunteers played a significant role in enhancing the participants' self-confidence and academic achievements. Daniel Corrigan, the headteacher of Woodford International Primary School, Honiara, presented certificates.
Resilience and adaptability were key lessons, with the programme addressing the challenges and stigma associated with visual impairment. The young female participants benefited from the programme’s inclusive approach, which encouraged leadership and advocacy. In contrast, adult participants who experienced vision loss later in life found the programme a supportive environment for adapting to their new circumstances.
#Empowerment #Inclusion #BlindAndVisuallyImpaired #TaepFoLaef #BVIPSI #SolomonIslands #AssistiveTechnology #Independence #CommunitySupport
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