Abstract:

This paper seeks to accomplish four objectives. The first is to examine the historical development of AVU; an information technology (IT) distance learning project initiated by the World Bank in Kenya and now in over thirty sub-Saharan African countries. The second is to evaluate access, efficiency and equity implications of the World Bank's education policies in Africa with special attention to Kenya. The third is to critically examine the success and failures of the AVU as a crossborder delivery method of higher education. The fourth is to provide a model for design and successful delivery of international virtual learning programmes. To achieve these objectives a critical analysis of relevant literature was conducted. The literature search included computerized search of accessible and available material on A AVU and distance education in Africa, manual search of existing literature, and communication with key subject matter experts to locate published and unpublished studies. The results of the study show that AVU's design and implementation in Africa was flawed like many other World Bank education projects. While distance learning should lower costs of higher education, this is not the case in Kenya. A model for design and successful delivery of online partnership programmes is recommended.  

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Nafukho, Fredrick (2005). Access, efficiency, and equity considerations of the World Bank's African Virtual University project: a case study of Kenya. In 11th AAU general conference: cross-border provision and the future of higher education in Africa 2005. Accra, Ghana: Association of African Universities.