Virtual University enters partnership with French institutions

The Virtual University of Senegal (UVS) has signed a strategic partnership with two French institutions specialising in international distance education, with the aim of improving access to all aspects of the sector.

RITLES, the Réseau International des Tiers-lieux d’Enseignement Supérieur, and CNED, the French national distance education centre, have combined their strengths to promote and develop the sector in Senegal, reported Le Soleil of Dakar.

The new three-year partnership will reinforce agreements already signed between UVS and other online higher education organisations, with each bringing its own areas of expertise and experience to lead different collaborative actions, according to a UVS statement quoted by Le Soleil.

They would include the setting up in Senegal of ‘third-places’ for higher education which would offer courses validated by French degrees, and provide resources to improve the recognition of French degrees in Senegal and those of Senegal in France, or their equivalents, said the statement.

UVS said the integration of UVS’s third-places in the RITLES network, as well as UVS participation in the ‘Académie’ digital certification and the delivery of distance courses, were also components of the partnership.

Professor Moussa Lo, UVS coordinator, said: “We are proud to build this partnership with RITLES and CNED who, like us, are engaged in a mission of education for all, bringing together best practices and quality standards through ICT,” reported Le Soleil.

“This partnership, which is based on an innovative educational model, will give French-speaking young people access to many degree courses without leaving their country,” Le Soleil quoted Benjamin Chkroun, president of RITLES, as saying.

Michel Reverchon-Billot, director general of CNED, said the collaboration in distance education could only strengthen relations between France and Senegal concerning education and training, reported Le Soleil. – Compiled by Jane Marshall.

This article is drawn from local media. University World News cannot vouch for the accuracy of the original reports.