Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has held its first-ever eLearning awareness campaign, in a quest to diversify its course portfolio, position innovative digital learning approaches and technology in training delivery; and to give greater emphasis on more user-friendly, easily accessible modes of knowledge acquisition and transfer.
A four-day eLearning awareness campaign, with funding support by Germany’s Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Peace and Security Architecture and Operations Project (EPSAO), and the government of Norway, climaxed with a forum at the Schroeder Auditorium, KAIPTC, Teshie, on Thursday, 26 October, 2023.
The Commandant, KAIPTC – Major General (Maj Gen) Richard Addo Gyane, speaking on the theme “The Future of KAIPTC Learning! Developing Capacities through Innovative Learning Technologies”, stated that in the last ten years, online education and virtual learning have grown exponentially in importance and reach.
He continued that the world has moved from the era of traditional education to the age of eLearning and self-learning, by utilizing the information and communication technology of today, bringing a drastic change in the world of traditional whiteboard and classroom method of teaching, as knowledge is imparted to global audiences through desktops, laptops, and mobile phones.
The Commandant continued to say that, today’s learners want relevant, mobile, self-paced, and personalized content to learn, and that need is fulfilled with the online mode of learning, where students can learn at their own comfort and requirement.
He said, from free access to knowledge, to fostering personalized learning experiences, technology has crystalized a digital renaissance in learning and development, where the emergence of dedicated eLearning platforms and institutions has transformed how education is approached.
Since the launch of KAIPTC’s inaugural eLearning course in 2020, General Gyane said, there have been over three thousand (3,000) enrollments on the various available e-Courses at the ECOWAS sanctioned Training Centre of Excellence (TCE).
This, he said, underscores the dynamic and viable nature of eLearning as a means of delivering training, and also its pivotal role in advancing strategic goals, ensuring financial sustainability, and maintaining the longevity of the TCE’s post-graduate academic programs.
“Whether pursuing a degree, acquiring a new certification, or simply learning for personal growth, eLearning offers flexibility and convenience. Learners can choose when and where to engage with course materials, tailoring their educational journey to suit their needs at KAIPTC”, said Maj Gen RA Gyane.
The Norwegian Ambassador to Ghana – Madam Ingrid Mollestad, said over the last 20 years, Norway has been a long standing partner with KAIPTC, and are happy to also support the implementation of eLearning courses at the Centre, as its quest to provide research, training and education on peace and security, is as important as ever.
She said by utilising digital tools, KAIPTC showcases forward-thinking and adaptability, and truly demonstrates a centre fit for the future, as it amplifies the potential reach of its work, reaching potential peace champions far and wide, ensuring they are equipped with essential knowledge on today’s most pressing challenges, by lifting constraints from traditional learning of time, place, space, and pace.
GIZ Team-leader in the EPSAO – Madam Teresa Krafft said bilateral GIZ-KAIPTC cooperation into the regional EPSAO project, allows to support the KAIPTC more consistently, as one of the key actors of the regional and continental peace and security architecture, and it is the reason GIZ is actively supporting the development and awareness creation of eLearning formats for the center.
She continued that GIZ’s support to the digitalization of KAIPTC, dates back to the introduction of the Learning Management System (LMS) in 2014, and it is in sync with the Commandant’s efforts to enhance its financial sustainability drive of the Centre of Excellence.
She stated that Germany has a determination to help its partners drive forward their digitalization agenda, such as KAIPTC’s eLearning efforts, which is critical to bolstering its competitive advantage as a TCE on the African continent and beyond.
By Kofi Ampeah-Woode
