By Alex Yomah
The state-run University of Liberia (UL) yesterday July 2, 2020, announced commencement of online studies for the second Semester, beginning July 28, 2020-descridbing the digital learning process as unprecedented.
Making the disclosure at the University, UL President, Dr. Julius Nelson asserted that the decision is an effort to providing quality and affordable education for Liberian students, consistent with the mission of the University of Liberia, which is “ To Provide Academic Freedom of creative thinking outside of the box in a scholastic environment”, embarked upon the process that resulted into the full automation, integration and digitalization of UL registration and grading system.
“Today, students and members of the UL faculty, with support from the government of Liberia and in collaboration with local partners, I am pleased to announce that the flagship of UL will commence classes for the Second Semester for academic 2019-2020 on July 28 as a special eLearning Semester.”
“This online learning semester will be conducted on Moodle, the leading and globally-supported Learning Management System, along with our digital registration and enrollment management system,” Dr. Nelson said.
According to the university President, the platform which he also described as DISTANCE LEARNING SEMESTER process will avoid students meeting on campuses and data will be provided by Orange GSM Company.
Currently, Dr. Nelson averred, “Discussions are ongoing with the management of GSM Company so as to provide flat rate to the university that will be affordable for the sustainability of the platform.”
He noted that that program was approved by government through the Ministry of Finance when the Liberian government allotted US$800,000 in the recast budget to jump start the online program.
Giving an overview of the program, Dr. Nelson indicated, “ A Major next-Step” in the internationalization of the University of Liberia came as a comprehensive relook at the pedagogical framework.”
“During the 2018/2019 academic year, a plan was developed to gradually upgrade this framework to guarantee that we are on par with top universities in the region, remain competitive continentally and strive for convergence of standards with top universities in other parts of the world”.
“It was then agreed that the UL will gradually transition to a blended learning environment in two years, an environment in which students and faculty members will take full advantage of the current technology in their academic and social interactions,” he recounted.
According to him, in a disruptive manner, the novel Coronavirus pandemic interrupted the plan and changed the sequential nature of its delivery as well as affected all normal academic activities at the University of Liberia.