IUM launches Centre for Distance and e-learning

• By Tracy Tafirenyika

THE Covid-19 pandemic has created the largest disruption of education systems in human history, affecting nearly 1.6 billion learners in more than 200 countries.

This week the International University of Management (IUM) launched the Centre for Distance and e-learning (CDeL) which will support students learning across all faculties.

At the same launch, the institution also awarded staff members who worked tirelessly in creating the centre for distance and e-learning.

Speaking at the launch IUM founder and chairman Dr David Namwandi stated that demand has been mounting since 2019 for the institution to introduce distance learning.

“Governing council has been very conservative to approve management recommendations until after thorough due diligence was concluded mid last year. The university shall no longer turn away qualified prospective students due to limited physical infrastructure as it were. Regional and international students who wish or aspire to pursue studies at IUM would do so from anywhere even in their country of origin with no impediment, thereby advancing regional integration and honouring SADC protocol on education and training objectives when it comes to the region.

“IUM online distance curriculum is carefully well thought out, well-articulated and developed so it shall be successful. IUM has acquired services of its own highly qualified professionals to develop these programmes and is thus destined to succeed.

There is no doubt that online course content development has raised the bar very high as nothing was left to chance.

I am excited that this technology based instructional mode expands learning opportunities to thousands of our students across the globe,” he stated

Namwandi furthermore stated that the government council has also approved 21 programmes to be offered as of January 2022.

“The short courses consist of tailor-made certificates, accredited academic certificates, bachelor honours programmes and postgraduate programmes including masters.

I would like to thank our digital natives for demonstrating their total commitment towards this national project.

Now that it is a done deal, kindly ensure its success by giving technical support and by sticking to our agreement of providing full technology transfer to the sons and daughters of this land.”

Towards implementing the university strategic plan for 2020 to 2025, the IUM centre for distance and e-learning has adopted a holistic approach to running academic programmes, Vision 2030 target and the national development plan of providing education to all.

To achieve this, the institution is working in collaboration with the six faculties of the university, two centres of teaching and learning and the university’s administrative offices to offer the online distance learning programmes.

The centre’s main objective is to make university education accessible to all in Namibia and beyond.