The Technical Working Committee on the establishment of the Open University of Kenya (OUK) has begun developing the modules for academic programs.
These are the courses that will be offered once the university begins its operations in September this year.
The working committee is Chaired by Ezra Maritim.
The team embarked on the process of developing modules for online courses for the 1st and 2nd years of study on March 12, 2023.
Deputy Director of University Education in the ministry Charles Obiero represented Higher Education and Research PS Beatrice Inyangala at the closing of a workshop in Nakuru.
Obiero thanked the team of experts for their sacrifice to ensure the Open University becomes a reality.
“The process is going on well and the anticipated timelines will be achieved in readiness for the launch scheduled for May this year,” Obiero said.
PS Inyangala said the purpose of the Open University of Kenya is to make higher education inexpensive, affordable, accessible, inclusive and attainable to all by enabling some flexible entry criteria.
The Committee Chair Ezra Maritim advised the technical working teams to ensure the modules are relevant and represent societal needs.
The teams have been divided into eight groups each developing a module for specific programme of study.
The university will offer eight online courses.
Phase one will offer degrees and diplomas in cyber security and digital forensics, technology education, business and entrepreneurship, data science, economics, statistics, agriculture technology and food systems.
It will also offer postgraduate diploma courses in leadership and management.
In 2022, Ruto directed the education review team to recommend criteria to implement an open university in Kenya.
“To recommend a framework of operationalizing the National Open University of Kenya and a framework on Open, Distance and E-line learning (ODEL),” the notice reads.
