Open University Strives To Improve Distance Learning In Libya

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Education has been one of the primary issues for African countries as the education sector are suffering due to lack of adequate infrastructure, insufficient accessibility, limited budgets and overall poverty. However, with the arrival of the digital era, education is experiencing a transformation which is impressively altering the way we learn and teach.

Is Online Learning the Solution? 

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As the cost of higher education is rising, millions of aspiring learners worldwide are now going for online learning opportunities as it allows them to pursue quality education and earn an accredited degree in an easy and affordable way. The scenario is same for Africa as well. You can now find many students across Africa who are studying their preferred degrees online, while they are working and gaining experience. With the help of EdTech tools ‏@edutopia , the internet and mobile devices, online education has effectively revolutionised the learning environment.

With the growing demand for online undergraduate diploma courses among learners and employers, most African universities have now started to offer their programmes online in order to reach more students, even in the remote locations. Last year, the Libyan Open University, along with Open University UK signed a Memorandum of Strategic Intent in order to boost opportunities and access for university-level education via online and distance learning across Libya.

Making Online Study Accessible

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The Open University Libya has received funding from the Libyan Government for expanding the curriculum provision and extending the delivery of content and instruction via online learning. Apart from the UK Open University, the British Council in Libya has also extended their support for achieving this goal.

The Memorandum of Strategic Intent was signed during a special ceremony conducted at Open University's Walton Hall campus. The event was attended by Professor Musa Mihsein, PVC Academic, Dr. Jamal Elfurdag, who is the Director General for Libyan Universities and Head of Board of the Open University Development Group and the Vice Chancellor’s representative. The was to mainly discovering a large-scale & long-term collaboration to improve distance education courses in Libya.

Professor Musa Mihsein commented, “At the OU we are very proud of our track-record in making higher education available to anyone who wishes to access it. We are therefore pleased that the Libyan OU has identified the OU as a strategic partner in this and we look forward to a long working relationship with them.”

Dr. Jamal Elfurdag added, “Opening up access to education to the people of Libya has never been more important. Distance and online learning has a key role to play in this, which is why we are drawing on the vast depth of knowledge the OU has built up in this area over the last 45 years. I look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”

Build your Future

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Apart from this many other universities, colleges and institutes in Libya and other African countries are currently taking significant efforts to boost their distance learning offering so that more and more students can access online learning opportunities.

If you are planning to earn an undergraduate diploma, then online distance learning can provide you affordable and open access to flexible university level education. You can easily acquire the necessary knowledge and skills that will empower you to build a lucrative career in future. Moreover, you will also be able to pursue further education and earn a masters degree or PhD from either a traditional college, or better yet study online, and give your career the required boost.

What do you think about distance learning opportunities in Africa? Can it help learners? Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas with us by commenting below.

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How Distance Learning Makes an Impact on Education System in Nigeria?

Distance learning has evolved as a worthy alternative to the traditional mode of education. This is relatively a new learning method, wherein students are teachers are physically apart from each other and modern communication technologies help in bridging the gap between them. As distance education is a student-centric learning process, teachers have limited role to play.

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In Nigeria, distance learning program has been introduced lately. As the learning programme is new, the stakeholders in the Nigerian education sector have to face some sort of challenges. Nigerian people have now realised the importance of formal education due to which there is an enormous demand of quality education in the country. The Nigerian government has opened some distance learning institutes, which include National Teacher Institute and National Open University among other.

Educational Organisations Providing Distance education in Nigeria

There are several public and private, for-profit and non-profit educational organisations offering distance learning in Nigeria. However, the levels of accreditation differ. Some educational institutions offering distance learning in the UK have received huge favour from the Nigerian students whereas there are many fraudulent diploma mills as well. In many other cases, the term “University” can only be used if the institutions have received accreditation by the national government.

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Distance learning today is considered one of the most prominent innovations in the Nigerian education system and instrumental in the provision of higher education to the Nigerians.

Whom the distance learning benefits?

When it comes to who can take admission in distance learning program, the answer is everybody. In fact, anyone with a desire to develop academically and professionally can take up distance learning courses.

·         Working professionals looking to enhance their career opportunities

·         Regular students with a desire to obtain accredited degrees from globally renowned universities and colleges

·         Homemakers who discontinued their studies because of personal or other commitments

·         Individuals who could not with their higher studies because of financial reasons

·         Disable persons

 Benefits of Distance Learning 

There are multiple factors contributing to the popularity of distance learning programs. The major assistance comes from the technological advancements over the years.

·         Students can access learning from anywhere and anytime

·         Freedom to learn at own pace by scheduling the study hours as per convenience

·         Working professionals can access the courses without compromising with their professional commitments

·         Affordable tuition fees

·         No need to relocate for continuing higher studies

Dominance of Internet technology and advancements in the technological sector have popularised the distance learning programs all over the world, including Nigeria. So, there is a wonderful opportunity for the students in Nigeria to advance their careers and make their presence felt in the global professional sector.

Distance Education: A Boon to Developing Countries

Distance learning is gaining popularity by the day because it is extremely flexible for students who cannot afford to attend traditional education, who live in remote areas far from colleges, and universities, who have full time jobs to support families or those who have to bring up children. People, who do not have access to full time learning facilities, resort to part time learning.

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For such students distance education is a boon. Many renowned colleges all around the globe offer online distance learning programmes to students who are eager to learn in order to brighten their career prospective. These days, more than half the employers want to hire candidates who have an undergraduate degree. Through these online distance learning programmes, more and more students in underdeveloped or developing nations get a chance at a well paying job. By studying in these courses, students not only earn a degree but they also learn a few important lessons in life that will stand them in good stead.

Here is how distance learning prepares students from underdeveloped countries for the job world

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The Courses Teach You How to Manage Time

Time management is very important as it will help you multi-task in your career. This one quality is what all employers seek in a candidate. The ability to perform many tasks at one time is skill that can be learnt while studying distance learning programmes.

The Courses Increase a Student’s Personal Drive

While studying online one must be extremely driven and focused otherwise they won’t be able to complete their courses. They first have to choose the perfect course. Then, they have to make a schedule which they will follow as they study. This schedule develops self discipline because students can stick to it only if they driven enough

The Courses Help You Develop Excellent Communication Skills

As students study online, they are exposed to various modes of communication. They also have to adhere to the etiquette maintained by each form. This way they become master communicators.

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People in underdeveloped countries, need these added skills in order to get a job which traditional education can never teach. Therefore, distance learning programmes are more feasible in underdeveloped countries as they help students learn important skills and also teach more than text books. 

How UK Universities make Education Affordable to the Nigerian Students?

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Nigerian students who are planning to continue their studies further can enrol in the undergraduate or postgraduate programme provided by UK Universities. And, if you are worried about the high tuition fees, well you don’t need to be, as distance learning courses offered by UK universities are extremely cost efficient.

Otherwise a rich country with abundance of natural resources, Nigeria lags behind in terms of higher education. The poor educational infrastructure and lack of awareness among the people compel younger generation to take up a job without a higher qualification degree.

Some of the eminent educationalists blame it on the wrong mindset prevailing in the mind of people for the plight of unproductive higher education system in Nigeria. People there do not take their education seriously which causes a major roadblock in their career progression.

Another major factor refraining Nigerian students from gaining higher education is soaring tuition fees. Most of the renowned universities and colleges have hiked their tuition fees to a level unreachable for the middle class. But, the online distance learning degrees provided by UK Universities are affordable and cost efficient. Now, the Nigerian students can study from their dream universities without relocating to the UK.

Cost efficient online degree from UK Universities

Distance learning in UK is affordable for students who cannot pay high university fees. The undergraduate and postgraduate courses provided by these universities offer absolute financial flexibility to the students around the world, including Nigeria. Unlike the traditional institutions which demand tuition fees as cash lump sum, fees can be paid in easy instalments at UK Universities.

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Nigerian students can enrol online and pay their tuition fees online. This way, they do not have to bear the extra expenses of relocating and transportation cost.

Financial flexibility to students

Online learners from UK universities can avail instalment plans on different courses. Instalment plans are given on the basis of dissertations, modules and projects. Students may be charged registration and examination fees according to the characteristics of degree program. Furthermore, candidates’ home country is taken into consideration while determining the fees. There are Enrolment Advisors at the universities providing details of instalment plans and solving the finance related queries of students online.

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So, the students who have always dreamt of studying in the UK universities but could not do so because of poor financial strength can realise their dreams by getting enrolled in the distance learning program offered by these universities. UK universities provide them an option to break their course fees and pay online through Instalment plans, Pay-as-you-go, Pingit and Credit Card payment.

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Under certain conditions, UK universities also grant education loan to the qualified students. So, study online with UK universities to shape up your future.