The traditional ways of delivering MBA and MPA programmes, though attractive, have in general been expensive and restrictive. In view of the physical limitations imposed by the traditional mode of delivery, that is, face-to-face tuition, classroom setting, specific time and space, the number of students who can benefit from such a costly way of teaching has been limited. More recently, we have seen the introduction of myriad MBA programmes offered through the internet or through other forms of Open and Distance Learning (ODL). However, these offerings prove prohibitively expensive to many in the developing world and most require reliable internet access.
The Commonwealth Of Learning, as an advocate for distance education and open learning, and committed to the promotion of education as a fundamental tool for the development of people and organisations in the developing world, now enables ODL institutions in Africa to offer these programmes to the people of Ghana, Mauritius, Nigeria and Tanzania, in their own time, at their own pace and, most importantly, at an affordable price.
Special features of the programme include:
- Provision of learning at one’s pace, place and time
- Cost effective and cost efficient educational operations
- Provision of equal opportunity of admission
- Self instructional learning materials, in print and non-print media
- Provision of face-to-face and distance tutor support
- Continuous and terminal evaluation.
About The Commonwealth of Learning
The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) was inspired by the vision that the peoples of the Commonwealth must and can have access to knowledge, regardless of where they live and whether they are rich or poor.
With headquarters in Vancouver, the Commonwealth of Learning is an inter-governmental organization with a mandate to widen opportunities for learning in the 54-member states of the Commonwealth, including Nigeria, by promoting the development and sharing of open and distance learning resources and communications technologies. It was created by Commonwealth Heads of Government in late 1987 and became operational in 1989.
Working with and providing services to hundreds of institutions throughout the
Commonwealth, COL is helping to increase the capacities of developing nations to meet the demands for improved access to quality education and training. For more information about the Commonwealth of Learning, visit http://www.col.org/.
The CEMBA/CEMPA programmes are initially being offered in 5 countries: Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka through their respective Open Universities. The participating institutions offering these programmes are:
- Bangladesh Open University
- Indira Gandhi National Open University
- National Open University of Nigeria
- Allama Igbal Open University
- Open University of Sri Lanka
