The first self-developed, campus-wide eLearning environment in an Ethiopian university will be launched on October 15, 2009 at Adama University. The eLearning program is the first of its kind in Ethiopia where all of the learning materials have been developed in cooperation with the Adama eTeaching Competence Center, lecturers and professors from within the university. Currently there are 7 courses offered in an eLearning format, with more to be added in the future. This is a significant accomplishment of both Adama University and the Engineering Capacity Building Program (ecbp), which provided the eCapacity training and support to the university staff.
At the launching of the program H.E. State Minister of Education and ecbp Director, Wondwossen Kiflu and university President Professor Dr. Eichele will speak about the success of this program and what it means for Adama University and the possibilities of exporting this success to all Ethiopian Universities. ecbp plans to scale up the program and technical support to other universities in the coming year.
eLearning is an innovative learning style that gives students 24 hour access to interactive education material and the modern information society. Practically, this means that students are less reliant on the currently overworked lecturers and professors as they can carry out their coursework on their own time.
The eLearning environment makes it possible to enlarge practical experiences in topics of study. The program enhances traditional settings with blended learning concepts and provides a bridge between academic scenarios and lifelong learning scenarios.
In addition the eLearning environment is linked to the eLibrary system at Adama University. Students and lectures can access the latest journal databases from the international scientific community as well as relevant eBooks for their subjects.
eLearning is a part of ecbp’s on.e | eCapacity Development Department which aims to strengthen innovative learning in Ethiopia. ecbp is an Ethiopian program established under the Ministry of Capacity Building. It works towards creating employment opportunities for students through reform of University’s faculties of technology, TVET reform, improved quality of Ethiopian products to be competitive in the world market and strengthening the private sector which ecbp considerers to be the engine of development.