Participants of the ACDE Preconference Workshop share a moment after the workshop.
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology on 25 March 2024, hosted the ACDE Preconference Workshop ahead of the inaugural ACDE Conference set to be held in Kenya from 26 to 29 March 2024. Under the theme of, ‘,’ the workshop drew in both local and international bigwigs, alongside key stakeholders in the education sector across Africa. The aim of the workshop was to equip the participants with insights into the upgraded ACDE-QAAA Quality Assurance Tool while identifying areas for refinement to fortify the quality of distance education across the continent.
The Director Quality Assurance ACDE, Prof. Chritine Ofulue facilitating during the workshop.
Speaking during an interview, Prof. Gordon Nguka- the Director of Open and Distance Learning (ODEL) at MMUST expressed the University’s capability to comprehensively support students from admission to graduation without necessitating face-to-face interactions. “Currently, we have approximately 34,000 users on our learning management system platform, with 5,000 dedicated to pure ODEL studies and an active cohort of 2,000,” noted Prof. Nguka. He underscored the University’s robust support system, encompassing roles from online learners’ support officers to online curriculum designers, as well as School champions, with numerous modules available online.
Prof. Nguka expressed optimism about the forthcoming 7th ACDE Conference, anticipating a wealth of benefits including the integration of new technologies and the sharing of experiences and challenges, all contributing to the journey from recovery to resilience. “This caliber of conference has never before been hosted in Kenya,” he stated, emphasizing its significance.
Prof. Gordon Nguka- the Director of Open and Distance Learning (ODEL) at MMUST during the interview.
Designed as a response to the growing demand for enhanced distance education provision, the workshop delved into the evolution of the quality assurance framework developed a decade ago, exploring its adaptation to contemporary advancements such as Generative Artificial Intelligence tools. Participants engaged in reflective discussions on higher education trends and the role of technology, alongside gaining hands-on familiarity with the revised toolkit’s application in elevating educational standards.
Key facilitators of the preconference workshop.
With a steadfast focus on addressing quality challenges and empowering institutions to meet evolving educational needs, the workshop promises to enhance participants’ capacity to deliver excellence through the ACDE-QAAA accreditation process.
It is important to note that the feedback gathered from the workshop will serve as a catalyst for further refinement efforts, ensuring the toolkit remains responsive to the dynamic landscape of distance education.
By Caren Nekesa
Photos by Shiundu Masafu
