<<Print>>

The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has been awarded an eLearning prize by eLearning Journal, the leading eLearning-related journal in the German speaking countries.

The award was given in the category “open source” during the world’s biggest education trade fair “Didacta” in Cologne, Germany. The Centre won the award for the innovative use and successful implementation of an open source Learning Management System (LMS), which is sponsored by the GIZ, with technical installation support by Common Sense, an international eLearning and training consultant firm.

Generally, Learning Management Systems (LMS) are designed to facilitate and manage learning and training processes by administrating learners and courses and delivering eLearning courses. They combine databases with information on learners and courses, communication tools and eLearning content delivery.

While LMS often are associated with the management and deployment of eLearning courses, they can also be used to manage traditional face-to-face training courses. Usually, users have to adapt their needs to the settings of the software Moodle. However in the case of the KAIPTC, the software was adapted to serve the complex needs of the Centre in the context of course management and effective course delivery.

The adaptation of the software in the context of the KAIPTC was a total success. The adapted LMS has been in operation since November 2014 and helps to make the course management processes at KAIPTC more efficient, streamlined and paperless.

Commenting on the award, the Commandant of the Centre, Maj Gen OB Akwa noted that the award was in recognition of the proactive efforts by the Centre to begin the process of making its courses available online, fully realizing the emerging trends in the delivery of education nationally and globally.

He added that as one of the three ECOWAS designated Training Centres of Excellence in the sub-region, the KAIPTC, with invaluable support from its development partners, is poised continually to provide training education and research that will ultimately prevent, manage and preserve the peace on the continent and beyond.

He lauded the Governing Board, Executive Management and Staff of the Centre for their strategic direction and hard work, noting especially the tireless efforts by staff of the Training Department who worked directly with GIZ and the Consultants on the adaptation of the elearning model.

He noted that the successful installation of the LMS has transformed KAIPTC training. The system, he added, has simplified the administration of the training courses and consolidated of all the Centre’s training information into one system.

He noted further that the system offers flexible access to training courses, generates intelligent analysis, reports and statistics and allows course participants to provide feedback on courses electronically. Alumni of the Centre are also now able to communicate and stay in touch with ongoing developments at the Centre through the Alumni portal embedded in the system. He expressed immense gratitude to German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), who have been supporting the Centre since 2004.

The Project Manager for GIZ, Ms. Nana Odoi also expressed her delight over the award, and commended the co-operation between the Centre, the GIZ team and the IT consultants throughout the process, and encouraged the team-spiritedness to continue for the complete roll-out of the elearning model.

The elearning journal is a monthly publication issued in Germany, but widespread in all German speaking countries. It continuously assesses the eLearning market and reports about relevant developments. It annually awards outstanding projects and initiatives in eLearning.