wireless: The African Virtual University 'In Country Strategy '

The AVU In country Strategy

Presented By Chimon Alberic (achimon@avu.org)

Executive Summary

A key aspect of the AVU ‘s mission is to increase access to quality higher education opportunities across Africa . The traditional residential University model currently adopted by most universities in Africa is unable to meet either current or projected demand . Therefore , there is a need to extend access outside the universities physical campus by developing high quality Open and Distance Learning capacity within AVU Partner Institutions, including those that make use of new technologies for e-learning where appropriate .In this respect , the AVU is focusing on , ODeL Capacity Development , ODel and `In-Country’ Strategy . The AVU Technology Capacity Development initiative ( TCDi ) is aimed at providing AVU PIs with the knowledge , skills and Technology required to support the following keys projects :

The AVU Open , Distance and eLearning (ODel) Capicity Development Initiative .
The AVU Open ,Distance eLearning (ODel )
The AVU , ‘In Country ‘Strategy

Based on the AVU Partners Institution ’s needs and Project approach , The AVU’s Technology Capacity Building Initiative (TCDi ) will have the following general objectives :

Support the Expansion of the AVU ODeL Strategy
Extend the AVU VSAT network via wireless technology
Build a virtual class system and VoIP nework within the AVU Network
Facilitated the AVU , migration to the Open Source software .

The AVU intends to enhance this institutional Technology Capacity through on innovative solutions in design and implementation of 2.4 GHZ low-cost wireless networks not only interconnecting computers , but also offering data , and video .One of TCDi role here will be to provide PIs with knowledge and skills needed to setup wireless networks for campus WLANs and links to remote internet service providers , using modest resources available in PIs or home countries .Another part of our goal is also to train and transfer the know –how to our PIs in terms of knowledge Center development with Open source software . Based on sites needs , this pilot project will benefit for the following countries : Burundi , Senegal , Mali and Kenya