Bringing new leaders together to talk about their challenges, network and share ideas has been an important part of OLC’s Institute for Emerging Leadership in Online Learning (IELOL) program. Thanks to our partnership with The Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA), OLC is taking that program directly to universities on the African continent. The program will be offered at the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa, from May 11-15, 2020.
While many of the topics will be similar to topics offered at the U.S. based IELOL program (hosted at the University of Central Florida) the IELOL – Africa discussions are expected to take on a decidedly more international perspective and include experts in digital learning from that region. Attendees can anticipate gaining the knowledge and skills to lead a more effective online and digital learning program by engaging with their peers through the 4.5 day event. With OLC’s focus on quality in online and digital learning, this professional development activity also highlights OLC’s Suite of Quality Scorecards.
Significant opportunities for networking are provided and give participants an opportunity to build valuable relationships with colleagues that can last throughout their professional careers. In addition, a culminating Master Class, held at the OLC Accelerate conference, provides an occasion to connect with past Alumni from around the world. We hope you can join us! Applications are being accepted through December 2, 2019.
Professor Martin Oosthuizen, the Executive Director of SARUA, hopes that with this initiative, SADC universities will have the opportunity to take advantage of this prestigious programme and become part of a global network of practitioners.
“Developments in digital capabilities hold important and exciting possibilities for the higher education community in the SADC to improve access to quality higher education programmes. It is possible to use digital technology to provide a better student learning environment and experience, based on more robust systems for understanding and supporting their learning needs. To take advantage of these wonderful opportunities, it is imperative that higher education leaders in SADC understand how to provide systematic leadership for digital learning. The IELOL programme provides this opportunity, connecting our universities to a growing global network of leaders and practitioners who are using online and blended learning to enhance learning. Let’s work together to embrace digital innovation as a driver of student access and success in the SADC region.”
Part of this news item is originally published on the OLC web site: https://onlinelearningconsortium.org/learn/ielol-sarua/
IELOL-May-2020-Letter-of-Invitation
