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Commonwealth of learningMBA/MPA Programme7THE COMMONWEALTHThe Commonwealth of Learning wasinspired by the vision that the peopleof the Commonwealth must and canhave access to knowledge, regardlessof where they live and whether theyare rich or poor. With headquarters inVancouver, Canada, the Commonwealth of Learning is an intergovernmental organization with a mandate towiden opportunities for learning inthe 53-member states of the Commonwealth by promoting the development and sharing of open and distancelearning resources and communication technologies. It was created byCommonwealth Heads of Government in late 1987 and became operational in early 1989.The Commonwealth of Learning, asan advocate for distance educationand open learning, and committed tothe promotion of education as afundamental tool for the developmentof people and organizations in thedeveloping world, now enables ODLinstitutions in Africa to offer theseprogrammes to the people of Ghana,Mauritius, Nigeria and Tanzania, intheir own time, at their own pace and,most importantly, at an affordableprice. Management graduates of theprogramme can position themselvesfor middle and senior level executivepositions in national and internationalorganizations, aspire for upward mobility in their own organizations ortake up challenging assignments insenior positions in industry or theservices sector.COL helps developing Commonwealth countries to increase access tolearning using distance education andappropriate technologies. Its work isgrouped into three sectors of activity:education, learning for livelihoodsand human environment. For a competitive edge in the emergent globaleconomy, Commonwealth governments increasingly seek nontraditional education solutions such asopen and distance learning (ODL) toachieve cost-effective, significanteducation and training results for theircitizens. COL plays a pivotal role inthis critical growth area.Special features of the programmeinclude:Ÿ Provision of learning at one's pace,place and timeŸ Cost effective and cost efficienteducational operationsŸ Provision of equal opportunities ofadmissionŸ Self instructional learning materials, in print and electronic mediaŸ Provision of face-to-face anddistance tutor supportŸ Continuous and terminal evaluation.Ÿ Working with and providingservices to hundreds of institutionsthroughout the Commonwealthcountries, COL is helping to increasethe capacities of developing nationsto meet the demands for improvedaccess to quality education and training.

Commonwealth of learningMBA/MPA Programme8Participating InstitutionsAllama Iqbal Open University, PakistanAllama Iqbal Open University(AIOU) is the first Open University inAsia. AIOU is a unique institution inPakistan because of its philosophy,system, approach, functions andoverall structure. The University withits main campus at Islamabad andhuge network of regional centersspread all over the country is servingits clientele all over Pakistan and inthe Middle East. AIOU is a DistanceEducation institution, which providesmulti disciplinary education frombasic to doctoral level programs.The Allama Iqbal Open Universitywas established in May 1974 underAct No. XXXIX passed by theParliament of Pakistan. It was initiallynamed as the People's OpenUniversity, renamed as Allama IqbalOpen University in 1977.The Allama Iqbal Open Universitywas established with the main objectives of providing educational opportunities to masses and to those whocannot leave their homes and jobs.It has opened up educational opportunities for the working people and hasprovided access to the females on their door steps. It has also done pioneering work in the field of Mass Education. It is now breaking new grounds inthe fields of professional, scientific,and technical education. It is attempting to reach out to the remotest areas ofPakistan. It is also attempting to harness modern information Technologyfor spreading education in Pakistan.Professional and technical educationin Pakistan is becoming very costly,especially in recent years, because ofgovernment policy to encourage private sector in this field. The lower middle class and poorer classes are beingmarginalized and their children havevery little chance to get higher education in fields like Business Administration, Computer Science, Medicineand Engineering. The AIOU is attempting to meet this challenge and tokeep a window open for these classesby keeping the costs at the minimumand by creating a Student AssistanceFund.Allama Iqbal Open University has started sharing educational programmes in collaboration with other openuniversities of the world. Commonwealth of Learning and SAARC countries open universities have started commonwealth international MBA/MPA Programme for executives.The Allama Iqbal Open University,(AIOU), Islamabad, Pakistan established in 1974, has the same legaland academic status other Universities in Pakistan. The University determines to provide equal educational opportunities to, as large as asection of the population as possible, including those in employment, housewives and others, whowish to upgrade and enhance theireducation or acquire knowledge forprofessional advancement.

Commonwealth of learningMBA/MPA Programme9Bangladesh OpenUniversity, BangladeshBangladesh Open University (BOU)is the only public institution in the country that imparts education in distance mode. In place of campus basedteaching, this university uses technology including electronic devices toreach people in different corners ofthe country. The learner in this systemis not restricted by time, space or age.A learner can think and learn at hisown will, at his own place and at anytime whenever he/she feels free tolearn.The history of distance education inBangladesh dates back to 1956, whenthe education Directorate was assigned with the responsibility for distribution of 200 radio receivers to educational institutions. This led to the creation of an Audio-Visual Cell and laterthe Audio-Visual Education Centre(AVEC in 1962). After separation Bangladesh faced the challenge of meeting the educational needs of mass people. To meet this challenge the necessity for a new mode of education waswidely felt. As a sequel to that feeling,the School Broadcasting Pilot Project(SBP) was launched in 1978. Later in1983, the project was transformedinto National Institute of EducationalMedia and Technology (NIEMT).NIEMT was later replaced by the Bangladesh Institute of Distance Education (BIDE) in 1985. Apart fromproducing audio-visual materials,BIDE offered the Bachelor of Education (BEd) program in distance mode.The success of BIDE encouragedpolicy makers to take up a major planfor establishing an open university.The plan became a reality in October1992 when the Bangladesh OpenUniversity Act 1992 was passed in theParliament.The main objective of the university isto expand all levels of education in different dimensions in science, agriculture; humanities, social science etc.and all other that come under the preview of human knowledge and understanding by diversity of means including the use of digital technology. Itintends to provide opportunities ofeducation to all classes of people andcreate efficient and skilled manpowerby improving the quality of education.As it is obvious from the objectives,BOU has opened a new horizon forthe vast majority of eager learners ofBangladesh who for various reasonsdrop out of the conventional system ofeducation. BOU serves another targetgroup who wishes to continue toupdate their knowledge by becominga lifelong learner. By impartingknowledge and skill to them, BOU iscontributing to human resource development in the country.In the national education arena thisuniversity therefore carries enormousresponsibilities and possibilities.BOU is the only Institution in the country which can contribute a lot in fulfilling the objective of the Government regarding eradication of illiteracy from the country. The BOU isoffering 23 formal and 19 non-formalprogrammes to make people qualifiededucated. It has so far educated over300,000 students in different coursesand levels.Established in 1992 by anact of Parliament, Bangladesh Open University(BOU) has opened up anew vista in a distance education in Bangladesh. Situated at a picturesque siteof Gazipur, 30 kilometersnorth of Dhaka, BOU accommodates Vc’s office,administration and schoolbuildings, library, printingand production division,distribution store and amodern media centre.

Commonwealth of learningMBA/MPA Programme10Open University of Sri Lanka"To be the premier ODL institution inSouth Asia through excellence, efficiency and equity in learning, research,scholarship”The University was set up by the Government of Sri Lanka under the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978, for thepurpose of providing higher educational opportunities to working adults- providing them the road to success,surpassing age, vocation, gender, race, ethnicity and religion. In line withthe concept of “Openness”, the University caters to a heterogeneous population of people scattered over the island to pursue higher education, taking their own time and pace. The university policy on admission would enable a person to register at the lowest'Level' with mere basic literacy andthen climb up to postgraduate level.The concept of Distance Educationmakes this institution a “Universitywithout walls”, functioning through adynamic network of regional and study centers, with knowledge impartedthrough multiple media. Furthermore,they need not disrupt their work com-mitments to pursue studies, as theycan interact with especially designedself-instructional materials where thematerials function as “Tutor in Print”.Hence, the Open University systemprovides the learner the best possiblelearning opportunities for them to balance their personal, work related andacademic obligations. While thankingyou for your interest in our study programmes we warmly welcome you asa prospective student to the Department of Management Studies of theOpen University of Sri Lanka. Sharing a common aim in the delivery ofhigh quality professional programmes through distance education, recognized and accredited throughout theCommonwealth, the Commonwealthof Learning and collaborating Commonwealth Universities are pleasedto offer the Commonwealth Executive Master of Business Administration (CEMBA)/Commonwealth Executive Master of Public Administration (CEMPA) programmes.It is the only recognized university inSri Lanka where students pursue fur-ther education through Open DistanceLearning (ODL) methodology. Assuch, the academic programmes ofthe OUSL are well suited for employed persons and adults. These programmes have been specifically designed to enable persons aged 18 andabove to follow Foundation Coursesor Programmes leading to Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees and Post Graduate Degrees/Diplomas at their leisure and in their own homes.The OUSL adopts a multimedia studysystem emphasizing distance learningtechniques, consisting of largely printed material and supplementary audiovisual aids. In addition, there are limited face to face sessions (day schools and tutorials), presentation seminars and counseling sessions for student-teacher interaction and discussion.“We dedicate ourselves to facilitate Open and Distance Learning,support excellence in research andscholarship and enhance opportunities for adult life-long learning”

Commonwealth of learningMBA/MPA Programme11Wawasan Open University,Malaysia“We aspire to be a vibrant learning community that inspires learning, supports innovation and nurtures allround personal growth”.In July 2005 WOUC officially established, with Tan Sri Emeritus Prof.Gajaraj Dhanarajan appointed as ViceChancellor. Wawasan Open University is Malaysia's first private, not forprofit, open learning institution, alifelong learning community withoutborders. WOUC uses flexible approaches to make higher education accessible to all anytime, anywhere. Ourself-paced learning environment isspecially designed for the convenience and accessibility of adult learnersof any age, gender, ethnicity and background.Funded by charitable trusts, corporations and the public, we aim to lowerthe personal cost of learning and makeit more affordable. If you wish tostudy for accredited qualifications orfor personal enrichment without leaving your home or job, then WawasanOpen is for you. It is funded by Wawasan Education Foundation, a taxexempt entity supported by donationsand other charitable organizations,corporations and members of theconcerned public.Developed as a collaborative programme by the Commonwealth of Learning, Vancouver, and a consortium ofparticipating universities in Asia, theCMBA programme is designed tohelp professionals working as managers and supervisors in Malaysianorganizations, to get an in-depth graspof management principles and develop skills and capabilities requiredto function as effective executives inthe highly competitive global business environment. The presentation ofcourse content in the Open DistanceLearning (ODL) ensures that the learners do not have to dislocate fromtheir workplace. The contemporaryand highly relevant programme content is supported by online and face-toface tutor support, video conferencebased interaction and ResidentialSchool cum Project Workshop.The CMPA/CMBA degree is designed to provide the students with anunderstanding and knowledge of public systems and management. As professional programmes, emphasis isplaced upon acquiring those administrative concepts, processes, and techniques that are associated with managing the public systems at variouslevels. The programmes blend thetheoretical and practical dimensionsof administration and encourage a broadened academic and professionalperspective.WOU has made, by using the Openand Distance learning mode, the Commonwealth Executive Programmesmore flexible and accessible to theworking adults in Malaysia. The objective of this programme is to provideenhanced knowledge that includesinterpersonal skills, self-reliance, resilience and clarity about public service values and principles.“We dedicate ourselves to facilitate Open and Distance Learning, support excellence in research and scholarship andenhance opportunities for adult lifelong learning”

Commonwealth of learningMBA/MPA Programme12National Open University of Nigeria“To be regarded as the foremost University providing highly accessible andenhanced quality education anchoredby social justice, equity, equality andnational cohesion through a comprehensive reach that transcends all barriers.”The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) formally took off in theyear 2002, with a series of planningactivities. The University was first established in July 1983, closed a fewmonths later in 1984 because of various defects and reasons which the Federal Government felt should be corrected.The National Policy on Education isvery explicit in referring to what isnow known as Open and DistanceEducation (ODE). It describes it as asystem which encompasses educationfor all, education for life, lifelonglearning, life wide education, adulteducation, mass education, media-based education, self learning, personalized learning, part-time studies,and much more. The policy has practically been demonstrated in the rebirth of the National Open Universityof Nigeria, whose major purpose is tomake education available to as manypeople as have the ability and arewilling and ready to benefit from thequality education provided throughflexible and affordable distance learning.The National Open University of Nigeria is Nigeria's leading - and only specialist provider of open and distancelearning at tertiary level. We are alsothe country's largest tertiary institution in terms of student numbers.The National Open University of Nigeria operates from its AdministrativeHeadquarters located in Lagos. Nigeria is with study centers throughoutthe country. For the take off of theuniversity, pioneer student enrolmentstands at 32,400.The National Open University of Nigeria currently offers over 50 programmes and 750 courses, stair casingthrough from certificate to diplomaand degree level, and maintains a strong commitment to internationalization. The National Open Universityof Nigeria consults with industry andemployers in developing courses. Theuniversity also brings internationalprograms from universities aroundthe world.University's expertise in programmedesign, course development, learnersupport systems, great spread of studycenters nationwide, focus on lifelongeducation and online education, makeNOUN well suited to making excellent contributions to Nigeria's Universal basic Education effort andEducation for All programmes.The University ‘s strategy brings down the personal cost oflearning to be affordable andthe lowest in the country so asto reach out to the millionwomen and men in the workforce, who are still without higher education.

Commonwealth of learningMBA/MPA Programme13Kwame Nkrumah University of Scienceand Technology Kumasi, GhanaEstablished in 1952, KNUST has arich history of its evolvement into afirst class University over the years.Kwame Nkrumah, the African Personality of the century and Pioneer ofAfrican Independence is the founderof KNUST. KNUST believes in achievement through diligent work andcommitment. KNUST continues todevelop plans not only to maintainstatus as Ghana's No.1 but further onthe international ladder.KNUST Business School is an ultramodern school of business to givehigh class business education andorientation to the students that haveprivilege of studying in the great andfamous school. The KNUST Schoolof Business (KSB) was established in2005 as an outgrowth of the 29-yearold Department of Economics andIndustrial management which beganby offering a Post-graduate Diplomain Industrial Management, followedby an M.A. in Industrial Managementand an MBA programmes since 2002.KSB has been established to fulfill thevision of KNUST to provide the environment for excellence in teaching,learning, and research in managementand entrepreneurship in science andtechnology for the industrial andsocioeconomic development of Ghana and Africa.In effect, KSB seeks to attain globalrecognition as a centre of excellencein Africa for the development and theproduction of high caliber graduateswith hands on knowledge and expertise in management to support the industrial and socioeconomic development of Ghana and Africa and the worldat large. The Kwame Nkrumah University Business School has established itself as a global leader in management education and has built an international reputation based on educational programs designed to developinsightful, principled global leaders.Since its creation in 2005, the Schoolhas continued to update its curriculumand to build a faculty known for itscutting edge research.A diversified approach in programmes is geared at producing a multifaceted graduate output to be able tounderstand the diverse aspects of thebusiness environment and to betterequip graduates to thrive successfullyin their chosen disciplines. The School offers a wide variety of courses beneficial to all stakeholders to increasetheir skills in their respective fields oforientation. Diverse assessment, skills and education are key elements ofour educational modules to strengthen the individual and our graduateoutput collectively as a group. Schoolhas a code of adherence pertaining toissues of diversity to be sensitive tothe interpretation and potential impact of matters of business and other related and unrelated fields and to appreciate value and celebrate differences as a diverse but united unit.The National Open University ofNigeria consults with industry andemployers in developing courses.We also bring international programs from universities around theworld.

Commonwealth

Open University of Mauritius (OUM) Professor Jacob Opadeyi, Vice-Chancellor & Principal University of Guyana (UG) Prof. Dato' Dr. HO Sinn Chye, Vice Chancellor and CEO Wawasan Open University (WOU), Malaysia NIGERIA National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Professor Chuks P. Maduabum, Associate Professor and Dean, School of Management Sciences