Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST), in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning (CoL) and the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA), recently convened a four-day workshop aimed at bolstering national capacity in quality assurance for Open Distance Learning (ODL).

Held as part of efforts to operationalize the National Open and Distance Learning Policy (2024), the workshop sought to validate Quality Assurance Standards for assessing ODL institutions and programs.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ndey Fatou Trawally, the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Administration and Finance at MoHERST, emphasized that the initiative is a significant stride in expanding access to quality tertiary and higher education in The Gambia.

Funded by the Commonwealth of Learning, the workshop builds on CoL’s ongoing support for the development and implementation of the National ODL Policy for Higher Education.

DPS Trawally highlighted the transformative potential of the workshop, which equips stakeholders with tools essential for administering ODL in alignment with the sector’s needs. “The Ministry looks forward to receiving a comprehensive set of Assessment Standards for ODL Institutions and Programs at the conclusion of this workshop,” she stated.

In her address, DPS Trawally expressed gratitude to the Commonwealth of Learning, particularly Professor Jane-Frances Agbu, CoL’s Higher Education Specialist, for their dedication and financial backing of the initiative.

Lamin Manneh, Director of Quality Assurance at NAQAA, emphasized the workshop’s importance and urged participants to actively engage with the facilitator to maximize the effectiveness of their institutions in implementing ODL policies.

Dr. Noel B. Saliu, the CoL Consultant facilitating the workshop, outlined its key areas of focus, including introducing participants to critical assessment tools and standards tailored for The Gambia’s ODL landscape.

The opening ceremony, moderated by Kumba Jammeh, Principal Research Officer and MoHERST Gender Focal Person, underscored the broader significance of the ODL initiative. Jammeh applauded its potential to enhance access to tertiary education while highlighting related CoL interventions, such as the Ministry’s Gender Scorecard and ongoing development of a Gender and Inclusion Policy for the sector.

This workshop represents a vital step in advancing quality assurance mechanisms for ODL, reinforcing The Gambia’s commitment to accessible and inclusive higher education.