Welcome

Welcome

Welcome to the African Virtual University | Background | The AVU/RMIT Computer Science Programs

Welcome to the African Virtual University

Conceived in the minds of development experts, incubated at the World Bank, and field-tested in 18 African countries, the African Virtual University (AVU) is a pioneer in delivering world-class quality education to the African continent, by harnessing the power of modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

The AVU is based in Africa, managed by Africans, to deal with the most recognised of Africa’s capacity building needs. The AVU affords all who want to learn, affordable access to areas of expertise required of any community, to become part of the Global Knowledge Chain while ensuring adequate transfer of skills. The AVU works to bridge the digital gap between Africa and the rest of the world.

The global economy is evolving from an industrial to a knowledge base. The acquisition of knowledge and its management have become key factors in economic development and sustainability, as well as in the creation of wealth and social prosperity.

The AVU is dedicated to contributing to the public good by increasing access to Higher Education, by focusing on areas not adequately catered for by existing universities, while at the same time fighting poverty and providing young people with the means to create positive social change in their societies.

Welcome.

Background

Since 1997, the African Virtual University (AVU) has worked to create a technology-enhanced learning network to increase access to quality higher education for those living in Sub Saharan Africa. Its current priority is to provide programs in select areas of specialisation, such as computer science, information technology, business studies, engineering, health and teacher training, that are critical to economic development in the region.

In September 2002 the AVU selected RMIT University (Melbourne, Australia), through a competitive tendering process, to build the AVU's capacities over a four-year period in the fields of computer science and information technology in order to expand the skilled workforce required for the new global knowledge economy.

The AVU/RMIT Computer Science Programs

The four-year partnership between RMIT University, the AVU and its Partner Institutions will provide internationally recognised computer science and information technology diploma and bachelor degree programs to Sub-Saharan African students. At the end of this period, RMIT will transfer the program accreditation process to the selected Lead Partner University, the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

In collaboration with the AVU and African Partner Institutions, RMIT is committed to building capacity through the transfer of knowledge, skills upgrading and the development of technological infrastructure. The Computer Science program will facilitate increased participation by African academics and students in knowledge-sharing and knowledge-creation at an international level.

A cost-effective distributed learning system will be utilised, combining a mixed mode of online, satellite broadcast technology and real-time communication with African and international staff and students to quality assured standards.

More Information

The program brochure is available online in PDF format. If you cannot open this file you may need to install Adobe Acrobat on your computer. This progam is free and can be downloaded from the Adobe Acrobat website.