Kenyatta University Digital School of Virtual and Open Learning works hand in hand with various online learning institutes and bench marks with various online platform to ensure that the students get the best online experience.
1.SPHEIR (Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education Innovation and Reform) partnership (SPHEIR Grant)
Kenyatta University Digital School is in a SPHEIR (Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education Innovation and Reform) partnership where the Association of Commonwealth Universities (UK) is the lead partner. SPHEIR is a DFID programme meant to support higher education transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
It aims to deliver systemic and sustainable change within higher education systems, enabling them to better meet graduate and labour market needs and support inclusive development and economic growth. For more information on this partnership, please log in to https://www.spheir.org.uk/partnership-profiles/partnership-enhanced-and-blended-learning
2.The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) – (ACU Partnership)
ACU is the world’s first and oldest international university network, established in 1913. It is a professional association for those working in higher education across the Commonwealth, providing avenues for collaboration and cooperation between the members. Kenyatta University Digital School and ACU have partnered in the project titled “Partnership for Enhanced and Blended Learning whose aim is to Share teaching resources through blended learning in East Africa.
3.Partnership with the African Virtual University
The African Virtual University was established in 1997 first as a project of the World Bank but it later morphed into an automous Pan-African Institution in 2003. The main mandate of AVU is to create an open and affordable distance learning institution to serve the African Continent.
Kenya is one of the 15 African countries that signed a Charter establishing AVU as an Intergovernmental Organization. The AVU headquarters is in Nairobi. In Kenya, two universities i.e Kenyatta University and Egerton University are actively involved in AVU partnership. Under the AVU Multi-National Project II, Kenyatta University, has upgraded the ODeL Centre (now the Digital School of Open and Virtual Learning) to create a Resource Centre that is responsible for:-
- Development of interactive online modules
- Capacity development of academic staff
- Conducting research in Open and Distance Learning.
The Multinational Project will also see the provision of AVU scholarships for Kenyatta University students to pursue a Certificate in Network Administration. This additional qualification will no doubt enhance the employability of the students.
4. Partnership with African Council for Distance Education.
The African Council for Distance Education is a educational organization that comprises of universities in Africa and other institutions of Higher Education and whose main agenda is to promote the growth and development of Open, Distance and e-Learning in the continent. The Council was launched in 2004 at Egerton University, Kenya.
The main objectives of ACDE are to:
- Promote Open and Distance Learning, flexible and continuing education in Africa.
- Promote research and training in ODL including e-Learning in Africa.
- Contribute to the development of policies essential for the advancement of ODL including e-Learning.
- Foster continental and global collaboration in ODL including e-Learning.
- Provide a forum where individuals, organizations and governments can deliberate on policy matters pertaining to ODL including e-Learning.
- Promote development of appropriate methods and technologies in education and training relevant to open and distance learning.
- Provide a forum for interaction, sharing and dissemination of ideas on Open and Distance Learning.
Kenyatta University through the Digital School of Virtual and Open Learning is one of the staunch members of ACDE and in November, 2016 played host to the ACDE General Assembly meeting.
5.AVU Project
The AVU ODeLPD Program is a project targeted at enabling African Partner Institutions to design, develop, deliver, and manage their own ODeL programs. Kenyatta University Digital School has partnered with AVU to deliver the ODeLPD program. The participants have specialized in one of three streams: Instructional Design, Technology, or Management. in order to develop a plan for an ODeL program at the university, work together in a community of practice to support each other and build a strong enough skill base to see to the successful launch of their ODeL programs. For more information about the program follow the link http://www.avu.org/avuweb/en/odelpdprogram/