Graduates praise City’s Massive Open Online Varsity

10 March 2016

 

The City of Johannesburg officially launched the Massive Open Online Varsity (MOOV) e-learning programme at the Westbury Library and Recreation Centre in Region B on Wednesday March 9.

 

MOOV is run under the City’s Vulindlel’ eJozi programme, a multimillion-rand initiative that seeks to break down barriers to youth empowerment and employment opportunities.

Addressing hundreds of community members and dignitaries, including a delegation from the United States, Councillor Ruby Mathang, who is Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development, said MOOV courses, techno-literacy and increased public access to the internet would help Johannesburg and South African citizens climb the higher education ladder. He said the digitisation of learning would enhance self-empowerment and grow the country’s economy.

“We stand here at a time when Africa is poised to leapfrog education systems worldwide when it comes to education delivered at a distance through digital means,” Cllr Mathang said.

"Right now, the continent has the fastest growing self-paced e-learning market on the planet – 16.4% a year since 2013. This growth is being driven by the simple reality that digitisation, used smartly and accessibly, breaks down barriers to entry. In education, distance, cost and time are all factors that keep the vast majority of our youth out of higher and further education in particular.”

MOOV courses are available through globally renowned business schools and universities, as well as other platforms, including the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Adelaide, Microsoft Academy and Wix Web.

At present there are six video-enabled MOOV learning centres in Johannesburg. These are at City libraries such as White City Jabavu, Emndeni, Orange Farm – which has the highest number of participants –Alexandra, Westbury and in the Johannesburg inner city. Five more centres are in the pipeline.

US Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Analysis, Marcus Jadotte, described the Vulindlel’ eJozi’s MOOV initiative as an innovative skills and training platform to bridge the gap left by traditional education.

“I’m here on a trade mission with a delegation of representatives of top colleges and universities in the US looking at forging partnerships and initiatives focused on education with South Africa.

“We wish to congratulate the City of Johannesburg on this programme and the US remains committed to furthering this initiative,” said Jadotte.

Cllr Mathang and MMC for Corporate and Shared Services Cllr Mally Mokoena congratulated several graduates who received their MOOV qualifications at the launch. Tshepang Dikolomela, who studied at the Johannesburg Inner City Library, said graduating with a Webmaster Certification from Wix was a great motivator for him to expand his knowledge and secure his future.

“I have a certification in Civil Engineering but wanted to add to my knowledge so my education is better-rounded. I’m thrilled with MOOV and its offerings and would love to do more," he said.

"Graduating today has been an incredible motivator for me and has shown me that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

Another graduate, Pearl Sithole, received her certification in Web Design through Wix. Sithole has been unemployed since matriculating in 2010 and said the opportunity to study further had opened new opportunities for her.

“I’m so excited to have had the opportunity to study further, which will help me further my dream of starting my own small computer technician business," she said.