A New Era: University of Malawi and Astria Learning launch UNIMA E-Campus

The University of Malawi recognizes the significance of strategic collaborations and acknowledges the imperative to adapt to changing educational models, embracing technology for progress. In an effort to harness the power of digital innovation to enhance educational accessibility, improve learning outcomes, and foster a culture of continuous improvement, the University of Malawi, in collaboration with AstriaLearning, an American EdTech company, launched the UNIMA E-Campus during a conference held on December 12th and 13th, 2023, in Lilongwe at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC).

The launch was graced by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Malawi, Professor Samson Sajidu, and the Chief Executive Officer of Astria Learning, Dr. Jeff Bordes. Those present during the launch included the University of Malawi management, members of the UNIMA council, the Astria E-Learning team, government officials, various international guests, representatives from public and private universities, as well as individuals from different organizations

Addressing the attendees during the function, Prof. Sajidu expressed delight by extending gratitude to Dr. Bordes for the great partnership forged. He further conveyed his excitement about the initiative, highlighting its alignment with the council’s mission and vision for the University, as well as the government of Malawi’s goal to enhance higher access to education.

“Some of our departments have already implemented programs offered through e-learning. For example, the School of Education, as well as the Department of Geography, Earth Sciences and Environment and the Department of Statistics offers online education using ODEL approaches. We aim to offer almost 50 percent of our programs through e-learning to increase student enrollment by 2026,” he stated.

In his remarks, Dr. Bordes stated that the partnership with UNIMA marks a significant and brighter step for the university. He further mentioned that the UNIMA E-Campus exemplifies inclusive and equitable education for all, aligning with Malawi’s 2023 Vision. Continuing, he highlighted that the E-Campus addresses the gap for individuals who are working but still wish to access higher education.

During the conference, various speakers shared insightful e-learning knowledge through panel discussions and presentations. Dr. Jeff Bordes’ presentation spurred thoughtful reflections from the panel, which included Dr. Simon Chiziwa, Director of ODel for the University of Malawi; Dr. Sunduzwayo Madise, Deputy Vice-Chancellor; Dr. Emma Thomson, Acting Director of the Teaching and Learning Center at KUHES; and Dr. Levis Eneya, Director of Higher Education from the Ministry of Education. The discussion highlighted the benefits of blended learning in improving educational outcomes and acknowledged challenges such as limited internet access, technology costs, infrastructure limitations, and digital literacy. Dr. Madise emphasized the drawbacks of face-to-face learning, citing a reduction in students accessing higher education, but countered concerns about technological readiness by illustrating the success of public university online applications introduced by the National Council for Higher Education. Furthermore, Dr. Eneya discussed the transformative impact of COVID-19 on e-learning, urging proactive solutions for connectivity and power issues. He emphasized that the challenge lies in gadget access, not technological literacy, and proposed exploring manufacturing solutions. The dialogue collectively emphasized the potential of eLearning to address challenges and advance education inclusivity.

The conference was enriched with various activities. The Ngwenyama group, comprised of UNIMA students, staged a captivating performance portraying the birth of UNIMA E-Campus, along with traditional dances that were a marvel to watch.

In addition to the cultural performances, a raffle draw was conducted throughout the two-day conference, and some attendees walked away with Astria tablets as prizes.