Online Distance Learning initiative increases skills

More than 1200 Somali students are benefiting every year from an innovative online distance learning initiative supported by UNDP. Part of the Governance Programme’s Somali Institutional & Capacity Development (SICAD) Project, the online distance learning initiative has partnered with seven institutes of higher education around Somalia to use Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATS) to access internet connectivity for knowledge resources and interactive learning, greatly expanding resources available to students.  In an effort to develop a public private partnership, the Somaliland Civil Service Institute shares a link with the University of Hargeisa to support public administration and provide access to online course material. Students can choose from courses in Journalism, Information Technology, Business Communications, Financial Planning and Management, Teacher Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication. The project has recently developed a partnership with Curtin Business School in Australia and Books for Africa that has seen the delivery of half a million US dollars worth of books and computers to Somali universities. Tom Munyasya is the project manager for Information and Communication Technology and Online Distance Learning. “One of our main aims is to keep these courses as accessible as possible, so we encourage participating institutions to keep fees realistic. Charges of between USD $30 - $100 per module are typical, but UNDP is also initiating a supplementary scholarship scheme to support female and civil servant students enrolled in public administration and English training. Fees for financial planning and management courses are $20 per month per student from the private sector and $10 per month per student from the public sector. More than 30% of students are female.” Participating instistutions are: Mogadishu University Somali Institute of Management and Administration Development Puntland State University East Africa University University of Hargeisa Amoud University University of Burao