Joburg makes an early 'Moov' into online education

11 August 2016 - 19:10 By TMG Digital

As the Fees Commission takes public submissions on the feasibility of free higher education‚ the idea that online universities could play a role is starting to gain traction‚ with a ground breaking Johannesburg programme already notching up some impressive early results. One of the submissions presented by the University of the Witwatersrand graduate Ntokozo Mahlangu at the Fees Commission in Pretoria on Wednesday was the use online universities to eliminate many of the hurdles poor students face in their pursuit of tertiary education. "I believe it is feasible with the ability of technology to make more use of limited resources. Students can forego the cost of food‚ transport and accommodation. We have massive open online courses. The problem with them is that they are not accredited‚" Mahlangu said. In fact‚ the City of Johannesburg has already started expanding access to education by using online platforms.It officially launched the Massive Open Online Varsity (Moov) e-learning programme at the Westbury Library and Recreation Centre in March.Moov is a R25-million online further education programme which falls under under the city's youth skills empowerment initiative‚ Vulindlel’eJozi.Its aim is to create access to smart education by eliminating obstacles such as distance and costs associated with obtaining an education.Moov courses are available through globally-renowned business schools and universities‚ as well as other platforms‚ including the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania‚ University of Adelaide‚ Microsoft Academy and Wix Web.City spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane said there were six video-enabled Moov learning centres in Johannesburg. These are at city libraries such as White City Jabavu‚ Emndeni‚ Orange Farm – which has the highest number of participants –Alexandra‚ Westbury and in the Johannesburg inner city."Five more centres are in the pipeline‚" Modingoane said.Up to 4 555 people have registered for Moov in selected public libraries that include Alex‚ Emndeni‚ Westbury‚ Jabavu‚ Inner City‚ Sandton and Orange Farm. Already‚ Moov has produced 150 graduates with certificates which include webmaster‚ web design‚ financial management and marketing."Graduates now have an option to upgrade to even more advanced... courses in computer coding. More Moov centres are set to be opened in Ivory Park‚ Eldorado Park‚ Cosmo City‚ Poortjie‚ and Diepsloot‚" Modingoane said.President Jacob Zuma appointed the commission earlier this year following the #FeesMustFall protests by university students in October last year in response to an increase in fees at universities...

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