Speaking at the launch of the China-Africa Regional Cooperation Centre for Digital Education and the Open University of China’s Open Learning Centre Future Academy Programme, OUK’s Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Caroline Omulando, said the institution is moving fast and global.
OUK’s Growth and Student Numbers
Since its charter was granted by President William Ruto on August 3, 2023 OUK has attracted over 2,500 students. That’s a big milestone in a short time.
Prof. Omulando said OUK was founded to increase access to quality education for learners in Kenya and beyond. The university has already enrolled students from 18 countries, including Switzerland, the Netherlands, Nigeria and Ghana so it’s a global university.
“This is a new university in Kenya, just one year and four months old and we are already making an impact beyond our borders,” Omulando said.
China-Africa Partnership: A Game Changer for Digital Learning
The partnership between OUK, Donghua University and Open University of China (OUC) will transform online and distance learning in Africa.
Key Areas of the Partnership:
✅ Hosting the China-Africa Regional Cooperation Centre for Digital Education
✅ Establishing the Open Learning Centre Future Academy Programme
✅ Developing co-created academic and non-academic programs
✅ Staff capacity building through knowledge exchange
“This aligns well with our vision as a university. Now we have an opportunity to go beyond Kenya into the East African region, Africa and even globally,” Prof. Omulando said.
OUK will learn from OUC which has over 4 million students, enabling OUK to scale up and improve its teaching methods through technology.
Technology and Capacity Building for Sustainability
With Konza Technopolis as its backyard, OUK is positioning itself as a digital education leader. The university will use technology to offer affordable, inclusive and accessible education to learners worldwide.
“We will create programmes that are relevant to today’s society,” Omulando said.
Additionally, the partnership will give OUK’s academic and non-academic staff opportunities for capacity building for long term sustainability and academic excellence.
“With this kind of partnership we shall have achieved a lot and we shall have reached many milestones within five years,” she added.
Open University of Kenya’s Future
With OUK’s fast growth and partnerships, the university is set to become a global digital and distance learning leader.
OUK Acting Registrar Dr. Catherine Kagichia restated the university’s founding principles:
- Affordability
- Inclusivity
- Accessibility
- Quality Education
“We are building an institution that will offer quality education to learners anywhere,” Dr. Kagichia said.
As OUK expands and partners, it’s a model for modern education and technology is the future of learning.