UNESCO
Building a Telecommunications Learning Network
In coordination with UNESCO, the University is currently working on the building of a telecommunications network linking all of its branches in the Arab countries. In addition to teleconferencing, this network will allow the AOU to transmit lectures delivered in any branch to all the other branches where they can be shown concurrently or recorded for later viewing by the students.
Building a virtual library
Within the framework of establishing a telecommunications learning network, the AOU is also seeking to set up a virtual library through which students can access several electronic sources of learning which may be located at numerous Internet sites, thus providing a nucleus for back-up sources of electronic learning.
The AOU and the UNESCO have been involved in a number of joint projects. The first batch of projects included: the implementation of a student information system, satellite network connecting the AOU branches, a multimedia design studio, and an e-Learning platform. The agreement was signed early 2002 and the outcomes of this collaboration paid-off latter.
IN 2004, the UNESCO Cairo Office (UCO) support the AOU with the solution which helped the university acquire not only badly needed system, but also the know how which made the application of open source technologies in education an exemplary model for the rest of the educational institutes in the region. The open source learning management system (Moodle) being used in all AOU branches was introduced by the UNESCO Cairo Office. The current director of UCO, Dr. Tarek Shawki, has great contributions in this regard. In fact, Dr. Shawki started the nub through which the evolution of e-Learning within the o ? erings has positively they way AOU delivers education.
The UCO has also supported the AOU with another project to improve the formative assessment methods (TMAs). The project ended up with a new e-TMA system to regulate grading, monitoring, achieving, and maintaining a complete record for quality assurance purposes.
