Higher education in Africa is at a crossroads. In addition to the multiple challenges it must face, such as massive unemployment among young people and peace and security, there is now an unprecedented health crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, with its devastating repercussions in the world. Knowing that the risks of school and university failures are higher, during the COVID-19 period, in the short, medium and long term, how do higher education and scientific research plan to face this new crisis?
- What online education strategies can be implemented in such a short time to save the 2020 academic year, given that Africa ranks among the bottom tier of countries with respect to
- Internet availability and affordability?
- What lessons have been learnt over the COVID-19 school closures, and what types of innovative schemes are recommended for the future success of higher education systems, and skilled instructors and academics to avert protracted disruptions?
- Education has been largely underfunded in Africa, with education financing largely dependent on households, rather than on State funded cost-free basic education. What
- must change in order to guarantee access to higher education for current and future generations?
- What measures should be adopted to meet the immense needs of students with respect to being equipped with the basic computer hardware and software tools essential for the operationalization of online courses in Africa, and without worsening issues of inequity both within countries and between countries on the African continent?, etc...
Objectives
This webinar dedicated to higher education, TVET and the network of African experts in digital education will:
- Share good practices and recommendations for continuity of learning/training through ICTs/digital solutions including radio and TV;
- Ensure the continuity of courses and examinations in higher education and TVET institutions leaving no one behind (equity and inclusion);
- Mobilize partners in the context of the Global Coalition for Education, to ensure continuity of learning/training in higher education and TVET institutions.
Target Audience
Academics, Rectors, Presidents and Senior Staff of Higher Education Institutions, ICT Companies, International Organizations, Professors, Experts in Digital Education, IT Service Providers, Private Sector, Specialists, and Students.
Webinar Info
Date, Venue, and Panelists
Date
11:00-13:00 (Abuja Time) / 12:00-14:00 (Paris Time) / 13:00-15:00 (Nairobi Time)
14 May 2020 (Thursday)
Venue
Live Streaming on the Facebook of UNESCO Abuja Office
Panelists
Mr. Ydo Yao, Director of UNESCO Regional Office for West Africa
Mr. Ann Therese Ndong-Jatta, Director of UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa
Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko, ADG/PAX, UNESCO
Ms. Stefania Giannini, ADG/ED, UNESCO
Prof. Amado Leopoldo, Commissioner of Education, Science and Culture, ECOWAS
Prof. Etienne Ehile E., Secretary General of African Association of Universities
Dr. Mahama Ouedraogo, Director of Human Resources, Science and Technology, HRST, AUC
Prof. Belay Kassa, Rector, Pan African Virtual University E-University
Prof. Tiemoman Kone, Director General of Virtual University of Ivory Coast
Mwenda Ntarangwi, CEO Commission For University Education
Partners in Invitation
Huawei | Google | Weidong | Facebook | Microsoft | UNESCO IITE | UNESCO ICHEI
Commonwealth of Learning | CDNetworks | HHBMSU | StarTimes