The African Virtual University (AVU) is a pan-African effort to create an open and affordable distance learning institution to serve the African continent. The AVU began in 1997 as a project of the World Bank and later developed into an autonomous institution after it was handed over to African governments in 2003.^[1]^[2]^[3] Over the program's lifetime, critics have questioned its efficacy as well as its neocolonial aspects.

Reasons for creation

Sub-Saharan Africa is a region that has experienced high rates of HIV/AIDs, political instability, and poverty.^[4] These conditions have contributed to a paucity of state-run educational institutions, an insufficient number of educators, and a surplus of students.^[4] For these reasons, many students attend universities outside of SSA which has drained the region of its educated residents^[5] Specifically, the AVU was designed to expand the capacity of SSA institutions of higher learning to service a larger number of students.^[6] The UVA hoped that these additional spaces would lower the cost of education to more affordable levels.^[6] Furthermore, the AVU initiative desired to equip SSA students with the skills they would need to compete in the new professional jobs emerging on the continent—especially in the technical industries.^[6] The initiative hoped that the AVU could provide access to academic databases, high-quality professors, and technical curricula to close the gap between African country's economies and that of the rest of the world.^[6]

As of 2013, the program had more than 40,000 graduates in 27 Sub-Saharan countries and planned to expand to phone-based content in 2015 due to the prevalence of smartphones on the continent.^[7]^[8]

Neocolonialism in higher education

Conditions attached to World Bank loans forced African countries to reduce spending on higher education, since higher education institutions paid lower dividends than elementary and secondary education programs.^[9] These conditions decreased the quality of education provided by African universities. Additionally, the World Bank also introduced their own more expensive alternative programs taught by western professors.^[9] These programs, especially regarding historical, cultural, and humanities-related content raised concerns about the interpretations being provided by western scholars.^[9] The origins of many African universities harkens back to western influence as well.^[10] Modern western schools have reinforced this legacy of dependency through AVU's western partner universities who provide the program's content.^[10] This flow of knowledge moves in a one-way direction from the West to the East, leaving African countries with little say in the curriculum.^[10]

References

External links

Association of African Universities

Association of African Universities
Algeria	Algiers 1 University Constantine 1 University Oran 1 University Université Badji Mokhtar d'Annaba Université des sciences et de la technologie d'Oran Université Des Sciences Islamiques University of Ouargla University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene
Angola	Agostinho Neto University
Benin	African University For Cooperative Development Edexcel University Poma International Business University Université de Parakou University of Abomey-Calavi
Botswana	Botho University Botswana Accountancy College Botswana International University of Science and Technology Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources New Era College Of Arts, Science And Technology University of Botswana
Burkina Faso	Institut International d'Ingénierie de l'Eau et de l'Environnement Institut Supérieur d’Informatique et de Gestion L'Université Aube Nouvelle Nazi Boni University University of Ouagadougou
Burundi	École normale supérieure de Bujumbura University of Burundi
Cameroon	Ecole Nationale Superieure Des Travaux Publics De Yaoundé Institut Universitaire du Golfe de Guinée Maflekumen Higher Institute Of Health Sciences Pan African Institute for Development – West Africa University of Bamenda University of Buea University of Douala University of Dschang University of Maroua University of Ngaoundéré University of Yaoundé I
Cape Verde	Jean Piaget University of Cape Verde
Central African Republic	EUCLID University of Bangui
Chad	University of N'Djamena
Republic of the Congo	Marien Ngouabi University
Cote D'Ivoire	Agitel - Formation École nationale supérieure de statistique et d'économie appliquée Institut universitaire d'Abidjan International University of Grand-Bassam Pigier Côte d'Ivoire Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny Université Nangui-Abrogoua Université Pelefero Gon Coulibaly Université Tertiaire et Technologique LOKO
Democractic Republic of the Congo	Catholic University of Bukavu Université catholique du Congo Université Loyola du Congo Université Simon Kimbangu University of Kinshasa University of Kisangani University of Lubumbashi
Egypt	Ain Shams University Al-Azhar University Alexandria Higher Institute of Engineering and Technology Alexandria University Benha University Cairo University Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology Egyptian e-Learning University Helwan University Mansoura University Matrouh University Menoufia University Minya University Misr University for Science and Technology October 6 University Pharos University in Alexandria South Valley University Suez Canal University Tanta University The American University in Cairo The British University in Egypt University of Sadat City Zagazig University
Eritrea	University of Asmara
Eswatini	University of Eswatini
Ethiopia	Addis Ababa Science and Technology University Addis Ababa University Bule Hora University Ethiopian Civil Service University Haramaya University Hawassa University Jimma University Mekelle University St. Mary's University Wollega University
Gabon	Omar Bongo University Université Des Sciences & Techniques De Masuku
Ghana	Accra Institute of Technology Accra Technical University African University College of Communications All Nations University Ashesi University Bluecrest University College Central University Dominion University College George Grant University of Mines and Technology Ghana Institute of Languages Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration Koforidua Technical University Kumasi Technical University Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Methodist University College Ghana Pentecost University Presbyterian University College Radford University College Regent University College of Science and Technology Regional Maritime University University for Development Studies University of Cape Coast University of Education, Winneba University of Energy and Natural Resources University of Ghana University of Health and Allied Sciences University of Professional Studies University of Media, Arts and Communication Valley View University Wisconsin International University College Zenith University College
Kenya	African Virtual University Catholic University of Eastern Africa Daystar University Dedan Kimathi University of Technology Egerton University International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Kenyatta University Maseno University Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology Moi University Mount Kenya University Multimedia University of Kenya South Eastern Kenya University Strathmore University Umma University University of Eldoret University of Nairobi
Lesotho	National University of Lesotho
Liberia	Cuttington University Stella Maris Polytechnic University United Methodist University
Libya	Al Asmarya University for Islamic Sciences Al Zawiya University Misurata University Sabha University University of Al-Jabal Al Gharbi University of Benghazi University of Tripoli
Madagascar	University of Antsiranana University of Antananarivo University of Fianarantosoa University of Mahajanga University of Toamasina University of Toliara
Malawi	DMI-St. John the Baptist University Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources Malawi University of Science and Technology UNICAF University of Malawi
Mali	University of Bamako
Mauritania	University of Nouakchott Al Aasriya
Mauritius	Open University of Mauritius University of Mauritius University of Technology, Mauritius
Morocco	Mohammed First University Mohammed V University University of al-Qarawiyyin
Mozambique	Catholic University of Mozambique Eduardo Mondlane University Maputo University Zambeze University
Namibia	International University of Management Namibia University of Science and Technology University of Namibia
Niger	Abdou Moumouni University Higher Institute of Mining, Industry and Geology Maryam Abacha American University Niger
Nigeria	Abia State University Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Adamawa State University Ahmadu Bello University Al-Hikmah University Babcock University Bayero University Bells University of Technology Bowen University Crawford University Delta State University, Abraka Ebonyi State University Federal University of Technology, Minna Federal University of Technology, Owerri Federal University of Technology, Yola Gombe State University Kogi State University Kwara State University Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Michael Okpara University of Agriculture National Open University of Nigeria Niger Delta University Nnamdi Azikiwe University Osun State University Pan-Atlantic University Redeemer's University Rivers State University University of Abuja University of Africa University of Agriculture, Abeokuta University of Agriculture, Makurdi University of Benin University of Calabar University of Ibadan University of Ilorin University of Lagos University of Port Harcourt University of Uyo Usman Dan Fodio University
Rwanda	Université Nationale du Rwanda
Sierra Leone	Njala University University of Sierra Leone
Somalia	Benadir University East Africa University Puntland State University
South Africa	Cape Peninsula University of Technology Central University of Technology Council on Higher Education Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University North-West University Rhodes University University of Cape Town University of Fort Hare University of Johannesburg University of KwaZulu-Natal University of the Free State University of Limpopo University of Pretoria University of South Africa University of Stellenbosch University of the Western Cape University of the Witwatersrand University of Venda University of Zululand Walter Sisulu University
South Sudan	University of Juba
Sudan	El Imam El Mahdi University National College for Medical and Technical Studies Omdurman Ahlia University Red Sea University University of Bakht er Ruda University of Dalanj University of Science and Technology
Tanzania	Ardhi University Muslim University of Morogoro Mzumbe University St. Augustine University of Tanzania The Open University of Tanzania University of Dar es Salaam Zanzibar University
The Gambia	University of the Gambia
Togo	Université de Kara Université de Lomé
Uganda	Busitema University Uganda Christian University Uganda Management Institute Uganda Martyrs University
Zambia	Cavendish University Copperbelt University Mulungushi University University of Lusaka College University of Zambia Zambian Open University
Zimbabwe	Africa University Bindura University of Science Education Chinhoyi University of Technology Great Zimbabwe University Harare Institute of Technology Lupane State University Midlands State University National University of Science and Technology University of Zimbabwe Women’s University in Africa Zimbabwe Open University

Authority control databases

Reasons for creation

Neocolonialism in higher education

References

Further reading

External links