The Learning Resources Group donated educational software worth R50 million to SA`s virtually free tertiary education institution, CIDA City Campus, in Johannesburg yesterday.
The donation will take place over a four-year period, depending on whether the software works for the students, and this will continue on a long-term basis. The software has 5 000 courses and will be matched to courses within the degree programme provided to CIDA learners.
The courses were designed by Learning Resource`s US partners Thompson NETg and Harvard Business School Publishing (HBSP).
The software offers basic to full-scale IT skills training, and the Harvard content has more of a management and soft skills focus. The approach allows students to interact with the PC, select a course of their choice and work on it at their own pace, as well as evaluate their performance.
CIDA CEO Taddy Blecher said the e-learning software produced by HBSP means CIDA can now offer students internationally recognised education.
"We can finally provide students with a cutting-edge e-learning software that offers business skills and this is a significant step forward," said Blecher.
"Harvard University is one of the most expensive institutions with courses that cost up to $50 000 and CIDA is the cheapest with R350 fees paid annually by students. This proves that technology integration, providing easy access to business education, gives Africa a chance to leapfrog," said Blecher.
"The 5 000 courses are hosted on 13 new servers donated by Dell, CIDA`s technology hardware partner, at a value of R3 million," said Blecher.
"Depending on the success of the software, Learning Resources will continue supporting CIDA," said Learning Resources Group CEO, Ricky Robinson. "It has to work first then we can consider a progression."
Robinson added that this is the first major project in SA and that at a later the courseware may be implemented in other parts of Africa.
Learning Resources Group managing executive Shirley Hulley said the firm will provide CIDA with constant IT and learning support, ensuring the sustainability of the donation.
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