By Brenda Odhiambo

On March 18, the university hosted the Commission for University Education for the re-evaluation of the ODeL Centre. The visit was led by Dr. James Ngugi, the Chair of the CUE panel, alongside other members of the team. USIU- Africa was represented by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mwenda Ntarangwi, the DVC Academics – Transformational Teaching, Learning and Research, Prof. Amos Njuguna, and other key representatives.

During the visit, CUE had the opportunity to review recommendations they made during the last ODeL inspection in November 2022. They also followed up on the actions that the university has taken towards the improvement of the ODeL offerings at USIU-Africa. The re-inspection visit focused on reviewing the university’s implementation of recommendations previously provided by CUE regarding its online programs. This included an in-depth assessment of the university’s facilities and infrastructure, faculty quality, technological capabilities, and the systems in place to support high-quality online learning.

The Vice Chancellor spoke about USIU-Africa’s vision for online education, emphasizing its role in expanding access to quality higher education. “We are committed to providing a robust and enriching online learning experience. Our investments in faculty training, digital resources, and student engagement underscore our dedication to academic excellence in the digital space,” he said.

His sentiments were reiterated by Prof. Amos Njuguna, who highlighted the broader impact of online education at USIU-Africa. “Our online programs are designed not only to meet academic rigor but also to provide flexibility and accessibility for students across diverse backgrounds. We have ensured that our infrastructure, faculty, and support systems align with the best global practices,” he noted.

Dr. Philip Machoka, Director of USIU-Africa Online, provided background on the institution’s journey in online education from its launch in 2019 to its current status. He noted that with CUE’s support, the university introduced the MBA (Online) in 2020, which was accredited following a virtual inspection. A subsequent physical inspection was conducted in 2022, leading to a series of recommendations that the university has since addressed.

Dr. Machoka also highlighted the university’s efforts in enhancing its digital infrastructure, including upgrading from Blackboard Learn Original to Blackboard Learn Ultra, establishing a dedicated USIU-AfricaOnline website for online program information, and launching a mobile app to enable students to learn on the go, even in offline mode.

During the visit, the university reaffirmed its commitment to implementing all of CUE’s recommendations, noting that the university had already addressed the recommendations in the areas of faculty training, student onboarding and support services, enhanced engagement strategies, digital library resources, and accessibility, as well as refining academic program portfolios and delivery methods. The university also emphasized its recognition by Quality Matters (QM), which awarded USIU-Africa the Outstanding Impact by a Non-U.S. Higher Education Organization last year. This distinction acknowledged the university’s adherence to QM’s rigorous quality standards, positioning USIU-Africa as a regional leader in online learning.

Dr. James Ngugi, Chair of the CUE panel, expressed his admiration for the institution’s efforts, stating, “USIU-Africa’s commitment to quality teaching and learning is evident. The university has demonstrated a strong dedication to ensuring that students experience seamless and impactful online education. It is among the institutions setting the standard for quality online learning outcomes in the region.”

The panel presented its findings in an exit report that was received by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Student Life, Dr. Victor Boiyo on behalf of the Vice Chancellor. The panel outlined their initial findings and recommendations, which will be shared in a more detailed report at a later date.