ACE Comms TeamIn a milestone event for digital learning in Africa, the Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology-Enhanced Learning (ACETEL) held a groundbreaking eLearning Conference from October 2-4, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria. In collaboration with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the conference highlighted ACETEL’s innovative work in leveraging ACE Impact project resources to bridge educational gaps through cutting-edge digital learning programs.
Delivering an inspiring keynote, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, Secretary-General of the Association of African Universities (AAU), praised ACETEL as a shining example of the ACE Impact project’s vision to empower African education through technology. Prof. Oyewole emphasized the ACE Impact initiative’s role in equipping universities to tackle challenges such as limited access, outdated infrastructure, and skill gaps in technology, paving the way for sustainable educational solutions. “The ACE Impact project has helped institutions like ACETEL develop homegrown solutions that are redefining education delivery,” he stated, calling for greater investment in digital infrastructure and continued partnerships to expand ACETEL’s success.
ACETEL Director Prof. Grace Jokthan outlined the center’s achievements, including the creation of eLearning platforms that reach students in underserved areas, contributing to increased enrollment, groundbreaking research, and regional development. Prof. Jokthan emphasized ACETEL’s mission to equip educators and learners with essential digital skills and extend these solutions across West Africa, underscoring collaboration with other ACE Impact centers to share knowledge and best practices.
Emerging technologies, such as AI, blockchain, and VR, were also spotlighted as tools with transformative potential. ACETEL’s pioneering approach to integrating these technologies reflects the ACE Impact project’s goal to use innovative solutions for local challenges. Demonstrations on VR and AR for virtual labs showed how students can gain hands-on experience, while blockchain technology was discussed for securing academic credentials, aligning with ACE Impact’s commitment to institutional quality and resilience.
A major outcome of the conference was the reinforcement of partnerships across academia, industry, and government. Panel discussions underscored the value of public-private collaborations, a core ACE Impact principle, to ensure the longevity and scalability of digital learning. ACETEL’s alliances with NITDA and NOUN are instrumental in advancing Nigeria’s tech-education sector and achieving the ACE Impact project’s vision of a digitally inclusive African education system.
The ACETEL eLearning Conference showcased the ACE Impact project’s transformative influence on African higher education, emphasizing technology’s power to expand access, foster innovation, and meet regional development needs. As the conference concluded, participants reaffirmed their dedication to driving forward the digital transformation launched by ACE Impact, with a focus on innovation, expanding educational access, and preparing African institutions to thrive in the global digital economy.
