The Transformative Aspect of ODL towards Equity

1
The Transformative Aspect of ODL towards Equity
Brain Gain the ZOU Case

• Primrose Kurasha, PhD.
• Zimbabwe Open University

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Introduction

• Global changes in technology have replaced the
  old agrarian economy into a knowledge driven
  society.
• Knowledge is an economic commodity.
• Knowledge brings with it freedoms and freedoms
  development.
• Open learning is a new tool in the new era.
• Open learning is transformative and penetrating.

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Historical Perspective the drain

• The history of brain drain can be related to the
  socio-economic impact of slave trade.
• Slave trade was a physical depletion of human
  capital that cost Africa development.
• Colonialism was a secondary ideological drain.
• Colonialism involved propagation of Western
  lifestyles, ideologies onto an unprepared Africa.
• There was a mismatch of ideologies and African
  capacity.

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Conceptual Framework The Drain

• There is a positive correlation between the
  colonial history of Africa and the current
  crisises.
• There is political instability, poor economies
  and conflicts in Africa.
• The resultant economies cannot sustain the new
  professionals from universities
• Brain drain is a residual reaction to past.

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Open and Distance Learning

• Education is transformative- produces desirable
  states of mind R.S. Peters (1959).
• The current era is an era of knowledge
• Education has undergone change from traditional
  Socratic to present day Open Learning.
• Open Learning falls along the continuum of time
  and the continuum of place.

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Open and Distance Learningcntd

• Thrust of open learning is in tolerance of
  diverse backgrounds
• Open learning transforms livelihoods by adding
  immediate value to the learners.
• Open learning can be a vehicle for national
  development and transform Africa.
• Universities have a new role therefore, more
  research and community projects.

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The Zimbabwe Open University

• Incepted eight years ago
• From a Bachelor of Education degree in 1993, the
  ZOU now offers 25-degree programmes to date with
  19 at undergraduate level, two Masters programmes
  and three post-graduate diplomas.

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Relevance of ZOU

• Ø Providing a second opportunity of study to
  those who missed an earlier chance
• Ø Improving the quality of education engendering
  learner autonomy through self study
• Ø Providing lifelong education for employed
  people and homemakers
• Ø  Meeting professional training needs in
  consultation with industries

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Conclusion

• The shift in the world trends education and
  knowledge acquisition has caused a stir in the
  socio-economic and political scenes worldwide.
  The call is for Africa today to harness this
  potential and develop to the natural heights of a
  knowledge driven economy.

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Conclusion

• Open and distance learning symbolizes a paradigm
  shift towards brain gain both at national and
  continental levels.
• We have set the ball rolling for a new shift in
  world trends. Brain gain is not an option but an
  imperative.
• I thank you.