Neil Butcher has been contracted by European Consulting for Developing Countries (ECFDC) to build the knowledge and understanding of TVET staff in the extent and range of Open Learning approaches, Open Educational Resources, and the use of multi-media and materials development processes (Electronic, Online, Open Learning). 

The specific objective of the assignment is to provide technical assistance to DHET staff in the Directorate: Career Development and Open Learning in: 

NBA developed and managed the adapting current open learning educational resources to produce digital teaching and learning resources (Courseware) for Mathematics and Science (Vocational) for the South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). For this project, the DHET has decided to develop open and self-facilitated text-based materials for the National Certificate (Vocational) programmes in Mathematics and Physical Science at Levels 2–4.

NBA is currently managing the development of curriculum content and open learning materials for the Occupational Certificate: Electrician Programme (OCEP) for the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). DHET has selected the Occupational Certificate: Electrician programme as the first programme to be developed and delivered through the National Open Learning System (NOLS).

NBA worked in conjunction with the British Council and the South African Department of Higher Education to develop a set of digital guidelines to introduce stakeholders to the A21, the new South African apprenticeship system. NBA further developed animations and interviewed prominent personnel in order to enrich the guidelines with multimedia assets. NBA also ran a social media campaign, incorporating MailChimp, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and SoundCloud, to spread awareness of the new system and the guidelines. The A21 digital guideline resources can be accessed below: 

NBA has developed an online Learning and Knowledge Management platform to function as a gateway to a broad range of tools that enable countries and stakeholders to address issues related to educational policy making and on-the-ground implementation. 

The ADEA Learning and Knowledge Management Hub main functions are:

NBA has been integrally involved in Saide’s OER Africa initiative as a core project partner. Since 2008, OER Africa’s mission has been to establish dynamic networks of African OER practitioners by sensitizing and connecting like-minded educators – teachers, academics, trainers, and policy makers – to develop, share, and adapt OER to meet the education needs of African societies. By creating and sustaining networks of collaboration – face-to-face and online – OER Africa supports African educators and learners to harness the power of OER.

The Knowledge Hub (KH) is an online platform connecting the public health workforce to relevant, high quality continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities and resources. To provide excellent health care to patients, healthcare professionals need to improve their skills and performance, as well as to implement strategies to develop effective managers and health practitioners. Through the KH, they can:

In 2013, NBA was contracted by UNESCO to support the development and review of the national ICT strategies of Kenya, Indonesia and Oman for the use of the UNESCO ICT CFT harnessing OER. NBA was also required to support the development of national implementation strategies, including ensuring that other CFT activities being undertaken in those countries are incorporated into the country’s implementation strategy, and to undertake peer review of the course materials, assessment instruments and related tools developed as a component of the national implementation strategies.

NBA supported the Anzisha Prize programme of the African Leadership Academy (ALA) to run their monitoring and evaluation processes and to conduct ad hoc research on specific issues as identified by Anzisha (2018-2021). The Anzisha Prize is a partnership between ALA and Mastercard Foundation. It runs a series of programmes and events and provide on-going support to build entrepreneurial activity of young people in Africa aged 15 to 22 years. 

NBA aims to contribute to improving education in developing-world contexts by advancing open, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions to educational challenges. With this grant, NBA will lead research to deepen knowledge on the most effective strategies to create government policy and regulatory environments that support effective implementation of the recently approved UNESCO OER Recommendation, working in partnership with UNESCO’s Dynamic Coalition, UNESCO’s regional offices in Africa, and other key African partners.