In Focus

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN DISTANCE EDUCATION

COL’s Excellence in Distance Education Award programme honours individuals and institutions that have made contributions to open and distance learning (ODL). The awards recognise excellence in four categories:

at the institutional level,
in the development of learning materials,
in student accomplishment, and
for a lifetime achievement in and contribution to ODL.

The 2009/10 Excellence in Distance Education Awards were announced and presented at COL’s sixth annual Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF6) in Kochi, India on 26 and 27 November 2010 in ceremonies emceed by COL Vice President Professor Asha Kanwar.

Award of Excellence for Institutional Achievement

Three institutions received this award for their significant achievements in the innovative and effective application of learning technologies and ODL methodologies to reach students who might otherwise not have participated in the learning or training experience.

Memorial University, Newfoundland, Canada

Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada has been serving the educational needs of citizens in Newfoundland and Labrador for 50 years. Memorial University’s Distance Education and Learning Technologies (DELT) contributes to more than 1,000 technology-enabled courses on campus and assists over 47,000 student registrations involving online learning.

Memorial University and its four campuses have developed an innovative partnership to provide a distributed learning technology platform with two other institutions. In 2008, Memorial’s teaching and learning support services were certified with the International Organization for Standardization for ISO 9001 Quality Management System. Memorial and DELT demonstrate clear evidence of being at the forefront of social engagement with, and relevance to, provincial, national and international priorities and concerns.

Open University Malaysia

Open University Malaysia (OUM) is a self-supporting consortium of 11 public universities. Since 2001, it has experienced phenomenal growth in students, programmes, printed modules, learning centres and graduates. Forty of those programmes have been accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency, which has also acknowledged OUM as the National Referral Centre for Open Entry in Malaysia.

Specialist programmes have been developed for physically disadvantaged learners, senior citizens and prison inmates, with reduced fees for needy students. OUM introduced Malaysia’s first Internet radio station and uses Facebook and Twitter to support its mobile learning technologies.

Polytechnic of Namibia

Polytechnic of Namibia was established in 1994 and currently has 11,500 students. Its Centre for Open and Lifelong Learning (COLL) is a dual-mode institution and operates through nine regional centres across Namibia. Course enrolment has increased by more than 150% since 2002. Technologies used include wireless Internet connectivity, online library facilities, and radio and DVD tutorials.

In 2007, COLL was audited by the Higher Education Quality Committee of the Council on Higher Education in South Africa and was particularly commended for the interactivity of its instructional material. COLL and the Polytechnic are contributing strongly to national goals of constructing Namibia as a sustainable knowledge economy.

Award of Excellence for Distance Education Materials

This award recognises excellence in the development of materials produced by publicly funded or not-for-profit institutions or organisations in Commonwealth countries.

Category A: Materials in print, audio or video, or a combination of these.

Francistown College of Technical and Vocational Education, for the Botswana Technical Education Programme Certificate Course – The Human Body

The Human Body course is part of the Botswana Technical Education Programme (BTEP) Certificate in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy. The Human Body distance learning materials display all the best attributes of good instructional design. By placing students at the centre of instruction, the course team ensured that learners would be able to learn from the materials with ease.

The course team understood their target audience, segmented the content into teachable chunks and made it accessible to learners while giving opportunities for learners to check their own progress. The designers showed keen attention to the purpose and goals of the course as well as providing valuable learner support; all the while maintaining high quality standards.

Category B: Interactive, electronically delivered materials, which may be supplemented by materials developed in other media.

University of Mauritius, for the Diploma in Web & Multimedia Development, Virtual Centre for Innovative Learning Technologies

This programme of online courses aimed at professional development in the field of information technology was recognised for:

appropriateness for identified learning needs,
reflecting sound learning and robust instructional design,
appropriate selection, use and integration of media and method in the study materials, and
its high impact and ample evidence of benefits derived.

Award for an eLearning Experience in Difficult Circumstances

Mr. Osman Ali Gema Eshag, UNHCR, Habillah, Sudan

Distance learning can be both challenging and difficult, especially for some working adults. In recognition of this, COL has established the award for an eLearning experience under difficult circumstances. This award identifies and celebrates learners from international organisations who have overcome significant challenges to successfully complete COL’s professional development eLearning courses.

Osman Ali Gema Eshag works for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. He is based in Habillah, a remote field office without electricity or a telephone in the West Darfur region of Sudan.

This is an area of armed conflict. As Mr. Eshag’s supervisor explains, “threats of carjacking and kidnapping are constant”. During the time Mr. Eshag studied Writing Effectively for UNHCR, he travelled frequently on field missions to assess significant influxes of refugees. In addition, he shared a computer and email account with a colleague in his Habillah office.

Despite these challenges, Mr. Eshag successfully completed his programme of study. His report writing has become so highly skilled that, as his supervisor explains, “his findings are often read aloud, and subject to roundtable intra-office strategy discussions”. Mr. Eshag has recently been promoted, and he has taken on further study by distance education, a Masters in Peace and Development.

Mr. Eshag clearly has the passion for education coupled with the desire to improve the human condition through his assistance to refugee and displaced person communities.

Award for Distance Learning in a Degree-Granting Programme

Professor Chan Lai Keng, School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Professor Chan Lai Keng is a strong and determined person who has faced many learning challenges in her life. Her future would have been very different if it were not for the opportunities provided by the School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Dr. Chan was the first person in her village to complete high school education. Although she was accepted at a prestigious university, she was unable to pursue her studies due to financial difficulties. Instead, she trained as a nurse. While working as a state-registered nurse, she enrolled in the School of Distance Education at Universiti Sains Malaysia and graduated with honours. She went on to pursue graduate studies, some of which were completed at a distance. This allowed her to continue to support her family and pursue her career as she evolved from practicing nurse to a nationally recognised researcher.

Professor Chan’s distance education experiences have helped her become a valued and contributing member of her community and her institution. As a university professor and researcher, she has contributed to the wider community, both through presentations, academic writings and support to government and other universities. She has also supported dozens of graduates and PhD students and encouraged them to become contributing members of their society.

Honorary Fellows of COL

The designation of Honorary Fellow of COL acknowledges individual contributions to ODL through a lifetime of leadership/service, published works (including courseware, lectures/presentations), international/national presence and mentorship.

COL conferred the title of Honorary Fellow upon five distinguished individuals as part of the 2010 Excellence in Distance Education Awards:

Professor M. Aminul Islam, Bangladesh

A champion for ODL and an expert in resource management, Professor Islam led tremendous growth at Bangladesh Open University while Vice Chancellor. COL recognises the wisdom and dynamism of Professor Islam, who motivated and inspired all to work sincerely for the cause of ODL, enabling Bangladesh Open University to fill the gaps left by the conventional system and provide educational opportunities to people of all ages.

Dr. Roger Mills, UK

Known for his dedication to expanding access to higher education through ODL and promoting quality, Dr. Mills was a leader during a career at the UK Open University that spanned more than 30 years. COL recognises Dr. Mills as the quintessential ODL advocate, practitioner, manager and academic whose impact and influence traverse all the regions of the Commonwealth and indeed all parts of the globe.

The Honourable Naledi Pandor, South Africa

Currently South Africa’s Minister of Science and Technology, Minister Pandor’s experience includes serving as the country’s first female Minister of Education. COL pays tribute to Minister Pandor’s contributions to education in South Africa, the African continent and the Commonwealth, particularly her efforts to advance education opportunities for women and girls. Ms. Debora Balatseng of the South African High Commission to India accepted the award at PCF6 on behalf of Minister Pandor.

Ms. Peecheeta Spencer, Antigua & Barbuda

As the Principal of Antigua State College, Ms. Spencer ensured staff were trained in ODL and mobilised resources to immerse the College in the latest digital technologies. COL recognises Ms. Spencer for her contributions to nation building and expanding access to post-secondary education in the Caribbean.

Professor John Tarrant, UK

Known for his ability to rebuild troubled institutions and organisations, Professor Tarrant served in leadership roles at the University of East Anglia and the University of Huddersfield before being appointed Secretary General of the Association of Commonwealth Universities in 2006. Professor Tarrant is recognised by COL for his efforts to promote innovation and increase the international recognition of the importance of education.