The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, launched the 2023 E-Learning Week celebrations on Monday, 24th July 2023, at the Amonoo Neizer Conference Centre. The weeklong celebration, dubbed "Education Without Borders," aims to embrace education beyond traditional boundaries and create an inclusive and transformative learning environment.
The Director of the KNUST E-Learning Centre, Professor Eric Apau Asante, outlined the various activities scheduled for the weeklong celebration, including webinars, podcasts, interactive workshops, and an online learning festival. These activities will showcase the achievements and innovations of the University's E-learning efforts while acknowledging the faculty and students who have excelled in using the KNUST Learning Management System.
In her address, the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson, affirmed that the shift to e-learning, prompted by the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, has allowed the University to expand access to quality education and reach learners worldwide. The establishment of the KNUST E-Learning Centre reflects the Institution's dedication to cutting-edge technologies and pedagogies for teaching, learning, and knowledge creation.
Professor Dickson assured that Management would continue to invest in the University's digitalisation efforts, offering online classes and working towards modernising classrooms with multimedia fittings to ensure an accessible, inclusive, and high-quality learning environment for all students.
She commended International Partners and Collaborators, including the Mastercard Foundation E-Learning Initiative, the Association of Commonwealth Universities (Partnership for Enhanced and Blended Learning) (PEBL), Arizona State University, STEADY/X, Economic and Trade Mission (Embassy of Israel in Ghana), and the Indian High Commission (E-VBAB) Program for their continuous support. The Vice-Chancellor encouraged a continuous quest for innovation and adaptation in creating education without borders.
The University Librarian, Dr. Samuel Kotei Nikoi, delivered the keynote address on "Colouring Outside the Lines: Envisioning the Future of Open Education and E-Learning in KNUST." He underpinned the theme's focus on breaking down barriers to learning beyond traditional classrooms, promoting inclusivity, and re-conceptualising learning possibilities. The theme aligns with the core values of KNUST, emphasising equal opportunity and leveraging technology for diverse online platforms to enhance teaching, learning, and research.
Dr. Nikoi highlighted the role of technology in open education, enabling worldwide access to education through the internet and smart devices. He highlighted various technology-mediated learning opportunities, from Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) to intelligent tutoring systems, fostering participation, collaboration, and informal learning.
Additionally, he pointed out that libraries can contribute significantly to the open education agenda by providing equitable access to digital learning resources, adopting open knowledge discovery systems, offering information and digital literacy training, and redesigning learning spaces to support diverse learning styles. Moreover, libraries can support open science by providing access to scientific publications and research data management services.
Dr. Nikoi concluded by envisioning the future of e-learning at KNUST, encouraging a rethinking of educational offerings to creatively leverage technology and innovative teaching methods. Building bridges across disconnected academic bubbles, he noted, is essential to promote interdisciplinary and collaborative learning. He underlined the importance of establishing effective learning support mechanisms to cater for the individual learning needs and nurture a culture of open learning practice within the University Community.
