Described as an "unprecedented collaboration", seven southern African universities have teamed up to launch an online international Master`s programme, named NetTel@Africa, at the beginning of the 2003 academic year.
Representatives of the universities and international partners are meeting at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) this week to collaborate on the Master`s programme in telecoms and ICT policy and regulation.
NetTel@Africa is also an ambitious network for capacity building and knowledge exchange in the telecommunications sector in Africa. The network was established when the Telecommunications Regulators Association of Southern Africa identified a need to build capacity in telecoms policy and regulation.
The NetTel@Africa Masters programme consists of 10 course modules and a thesis or equivalent. Each of the participating institutions will develop and teach one or more of the modules, which will be offered via the Internet, with some face-to-face components. A postgraduate diploma will be possible after one year of full-time or equivalent study, and a Masters degree after two years.
The seven participating institutions are the universities of Dar es Salaam, Zambia, Botswana, Western Cape, South Africa, Witswatersrand and Fort Hare.
Prof Derek Keats, executive director, information and communication services at UWC, says the programme is unique in that it combines the efforts of multiple universities and organisations, both in how the programme will be accredited and in the combination of online and face-to-face methods with collaborative co-development of course materials.
Students will register at one of the participating institutions, from which they will obtain their degree. Among the resource partners are the US Agency for International Development and the UK Department for International Development. More information is available at www.nettelafrica.net.
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