Pan Africa Christian (PAC) University successfully delivers training on digital skills for online learning to select universities in East Africa

A front view of PAC University's administration block at Thika Road Campus.

In November last year, PAC University vanquished a slew of other universities from East Africa to win the highly competitive regional tender from German Development Cooperation (GIZ) to train select universities in the six East Africa Community member states on Digital Skills for online teaching and learning.

The University designed and delivered the five-month training program, which began on February 1 and ended on June 14 this year. On October 6, 2022, PAC University awarded certificates to 252 trainees drawn from thirty universities across East Africa during an online graduation ceremony presided over by its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Margaret J. Muthwii.

"The younger the students, the greater the demand for blended courses, and technology has demonstrated that it is possible to transform ways of learning and delivery while enabling regional integration and interaction of EAC citizens", averred Prof. Muthwii at the graduation ceremony.

Owing to its experience in online teaching and learning spanning over fifteen years, PAC University trained the participants in a variety of online didactics, including designing an online course syllabus and schedule, developing e-course content and online assessment, managing and facilitating learning activities Pedagogy, integration and installation of the LMS, and skills for media-enhanced didactics, among others. The mode of delivery included online teaching as well as face-to-face training courses hosted by one of the participating Universities in each of the six East African countries.

The project successfully imparted skills and knowledge on online teaching and learning to 240 system administrators, IT technicians, and lecturers from 30 participating universities across East Africa, with 5 universities benefiting per country. They included Nkumba University (Uganda), the University of Burundi, Hubert Kairuki Memorial University (Tanzania), the University of Rwanda, the Catholic University of South Sudan, and Dedan Kimathi University (Kenya), among others.

While executing the training, PAC University worked closely with the implementing partners of the project, the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), and the Centre of Excellence for ICT in East Africa (CENIT@EA).

"The successful delivery of this project is a strong testament to PAC University's leadership position and unparalleled expertise in online teaching and learning in the region", said Prof. Dionysious Kiambi, the University's DVC-Academic Affairs.

With the decrease in COVID-19 infections in the country, PAC University, like many others, reopened fully for in-person learning, but it is still offering online classes for all postgraduate programs and certain categories of Bachelor's degrees and undergraduate students such as those who live outside Kenya or away from Nairobi, and those who work a full day.