Unisa online - ODL Institute to be launched

UNISA will launch its Institute for Open and Distance Learning (IODL) on 5 May 2008 in the ZK Matthews Hall on the main campus. The event will be part of UNISA’s Inspired Week held annually for staff. Principal and Vice-Chancellor Prof Barney Pityana will preside at the launch while Prof Mandla Makhanya, the Pro Vice-Chancellor, will present the keynote address.

The Institute is expected to work collaboratively with and across all the five Colleges of UNISA to improve professional practice and staff competence in ODL activities including the enhancement of ODL research capability.

According to the pioneer UNESCO Chair of ODL and founding Director of IODL at UNISA, Prof Dele Braimoh, efforts for achieving a positive transformation process in revolutionising the practice of ODL, particularly with regard to stimulating research agenda among the academic and the professional staff of UNISA, will be a top priority of the Institute’s developmental goal.

Apart from the extensive capacity building of UNISA staff members in ODL principles and practice, it is also the vision of the young but prosperous Institute to embark on academic training at the Masters and the PhD levels. Furthermore, as part of IODL’s strategic plan, there will be opportunities to attract international scholars for sabbatical leave at the Institute while arrangements will be make to appoint postdoctoral fellows for a specific duration, focusing on identified niche research areas.