The University of the Witwatersrand has developed free online course offerings that will be made available over the next three years to enhance access to higher education.
A statement notes the course offerings will include massive open online courses (MOOCs) on the edX platform, short online courses, and ultimately entirely online degree programmes.
The institution of higher learning says the first three MOOCs on the edX platform, WitsX, will be available within the next six months. The course offerings include System Dynamics for Health Sciences, Research Methods: An Engineering Approach, and Results-Based Project Management: Monitoring and Evaluation.
Although the online courses are offered free, students will have to purchase their certificate of completion for R720.
Professor Andrew Crouch, deputy vice-chancellor for academic at Wits University, says: "There is no doubt there is a dire need for more places at South African universities and for access to quality post-school training. Wits is proud to be the first African university on the edX platform, where we offer free online courses unique to South Africa."
According to associate professor Christine Woods, Centre for Learning, Teaching and Development (CLTD) director and head of WitsX, developing the three edX MOOCs has been an exciting collaboration between e-learning staff in the CLTD and teams of academics.
"We envisage the capacity and systems we have developed will inform and strengthen future institutional online course development and other blended learning initiatives," she says.
Professor Adam Habib, vice-chancellor and principal of Wits University, adds: "This is a pioneering, innovative project that is unlocking new opportunities for South African universities. We will continue to develop course content to enable students from around the world to access our international expertise in fields ranging from the palaeosciences to infectious diseases and deep-level mining."