What is Online Education
As online education becomes an acceptable form of learning in the Western world, so, too, are the universities of Sudan making progress in this area. Being able to offer classes online and complete degrees from studying through internet methods is a huge benefit to many institutes of higher education, as they can attract more students. Although facilities exist in Sudan to train online, there are differences from the universities in the West. So lets explore the question...What is online education in Sudan?
Typically, universities and colleges who have embraced the idea of online education will offer a variety of programs and styles of teaching. For example, the courses might include downloadable printed material, videos, replays of the on-site lectures, computer teleconferences, instant messaging, on-site exams, and actual text books. Deadlines may be given as to how and when the material should be completed and specific durations for which students have to complete degrees.
In Sudan, universities and colleges use various names to denote online education including Satellite Seminar Education, e-Learning, Web Classes, Electronic Education, as well as Electronic and Distance Learning. Also, many of the major universities have advanced to moving all their libraries from manual systems to digital or web libraries. They are part of a national developed plan to bring the schools into the technological age by offering online registration, providing free email to all students and faculty, and offering other services via the internet.
Some of the universities that promote online education are:
University of Khartoum (U of K), the oldest institute of higher learning in Sudan, created in 1902, and with roots as far aback as 1898, offers the greatest number of courses online. In fact, almost every field of study is represented in its Web Classes division. A diverse example of the departments that provide online education are the Faculties of Architecture, Arts, Economic and Social Studies, Engineering, Law, Mathematical Sciences, Medical and Health Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public and Environmental Health, Agriculture, and Education.
Sudan University of Science and Technology (SUST), founded in 1950 in Khartoum, was originally known as the Khartoum Technical Institute. In 1975, all technical schools were merged into one, and in 1990 became the university. It offers e-Learning in Computer Science, Information Technology, Communication Sciences, Education, and has an online digital library. For individuals who do not wish to obtain a degree or diploma, they are welcome to use the materials from the MIT OpenCourseWare.
University of Science and Technology (UST), established in 1995 and located in Omdurman, is quite progressive and interactive, as one would expect from the name. In addition to an Electronic and Distance Education Center, it also promotes its Flickr, You Tube, Twitter and Facebook pages. The online education department at this university strives to link the students with the teachers through electronic syllabuses, and to link individuals outside the campus with training in the public and private sectors.
Ribat National University, launched in 2000 in Burri, Khartoum, has offered e-Learning courses in the Faculty of Medicine since at least 2004. They also offer online registration and an electronic library.
Open University of Sudan, has e-Learning for a diverse group of both undergraduate and graduate programs with specific emphasis on areas of Sudan.
Finally, aside from the universities and colleges, Sudan has a number of programs which provide e-Learning to small children who cannot attend primary schools for various reasons according to InternetEducation.me. Tele-centers are set up in rural areas and out-of-school children are given the opportunity to learn like children in formal classrooms. One organization that specializes in bridging the gap for all classes of people in Sudan is Gedaref Digital City Organization (GDCO).