IICD supported project: Tele-education at Burkina's Universities

Countries: Burkina Faso [BF]
Sectors: education

Summary

Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world. It has a fragile eco-system and very limited resources. Skilled manpower has to be the countries' major source of progress. In Burkina Faso there are two universities; at the capital city Ouagadougou and at Bobo Dioulasso. Both cities are located at approximately 4,5 hour's drive from each other. The University of Bobo Dioulasso focuses particularly on applied sciences like agriculture. Also the National School for Information Technology (ENI) is also located in Bobo Dioulasso. At both universities a shortage of qualified manpower is a major bottleneck. Another factor reducing the quality of education is the heavy reliance on rather poor didactical methods like ' le grand conférence'. The project is designed to countermeasure the shortage of personnel by allowing students at Bobo Dioulasso to follow courses on-line or a-synchronous- provided in Ouagadougou. The approach and software used will stimulate the teaching staff to improve the didactical build-up of the courseware. This will trigger a development towards the more efficient method of 'competence-based' learning and the build-up of an effective organisation to support this way of working.

Update

Updated: 2005-03-09

(October 2001)<br />
The project started in a difficult period: a major reorganization of
the universities. Now the project has started up. Equipment has been
installed. The connection between Bobo-Dioulasso and Ouagadougou will
be operational soon. Within the university the project leader is
stocktaking the relevant issues and will address them during a study
tour in the Netherlands and Belgium in November. Findings will be
integrated in series of workshops to be organized with students and
teaching staff.<br />

Objectives

The project is expected to:

To improve the quality of learning for university students, to raise the quality of education and to enhance the organization accordingly.

This project will be a pilot to develop distance or tele education for three subjects in which all faculties of the University of Bobo Dioulasso will participate. Outputs will be university staff trained and experienced with tele-education, improved didactical approach for the subjects taught and the staff time saved. The experience obtained will be input for a roundtable process on the improvement of education and the use of ICT. Active participation of professionals of secondary and basic education - especially for upgrading the present skills of directors and teachers at primary level. The approach to be developed will be based on hands-on Burkinabe experience and driven by Burkinabe professionals.

The project will make use of the existing wireless loop network in both Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. Connections and technical support wil be made available by Delgi that made a long-term budget commitment to the project. Use is made of existing equipment along with additional equipment purchased. The universities provide manpower, facilities and coverage of operating costs. The pilot project as such is already sustainable. Towards the end of the pilot project a Roundtable will be set up to define the strategy and possible programmes to mainstream ICT in university education.

Development Impacts

The Project seeks to improve the performance of the educational sector and to reduce the costs per unit of education delivered. The pilot project will start at university level as this guarantees the highest chances of success and responds to a precise demand formulated. Strengthening the competence level of Burkinabe manpower and developing high performing and focused education systems, will highly contribute to development.
The project will develop and transfer know how on the implementation of distance learning. Its effect is expected to spread to other levels of basic, secondary and postgraduate education. The project structure is such that it assures linking pins with potential important partners and initiatives in this field. This is a pioneering project and expected to be replicated largely.

Market and finance

Student demand for education is high. Queuing up to be able to 'conquer' a place in a lecture room happens. Also for postgraduate education a market exists. In view of the immediate cost savings and the low operation costs, the project will be sustainable.

Budget

Financial Rate of Return: N/A				Project Life: 2 years (first phase only)			Break-Even: N/A
Net Profit (Loss):
	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5			Financing Plan:
Equipment	48
Software	19							University's contribution: Running costs
Training	30							External Funds:
Assistance	39							Delgi	16
(including monitoring)								Universities	10
Total 136								IICD	110
								Total	136

Project Owner : University of Bobo-Dioulasso,
University of Ouagadougou,
RENER

Project Partners : Delgi
IICD

Contact Organisation : IICD