Digitalisation of higher education is an increasingly important aspect for universities to engage with, if they are to adapt and thrive into the future. In the short term, the global pandemic has shone a light on the challenges faced by the university. But this is also a long-term process with a need for transformative change: advances in technology, globalisation bringing greater connectivity, partnership and collaboration proliferating through the academy and the need for greater sustainability and improved access for all, and the changing needs of the student.
Higher education systems in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), just as many other systems around the world, have been addressing the challenges to shifting to digital delivery.
The British Council has supported a number of projects that explore the diverse and interlinked aspects of digitalisation for the university in SSA, and seek a greater understanding of different options for future digitalisation. Our project objective is to work together towards embedding technological advancements in higher education in SSA to support the development of digital learning, strengthen virtual exchange and collaboration between our higher education communities, allow for better inclusiveness and access, and to assist students, staff and higher education institutions to address these challenges.