OER Capacity Enhancement Programme (CEP) for BOU Academics (Master Trainers), Bangladesh
New Delhi, September 07, 2016: On 3rd September 2016, under its OER initiative, CEMCA in collaboration with Bangladesh Open University (BOU) convened a three day long workshop “OER Capacity Enhancement Programme (
This activity is a part of implementation of Project entitled “OER Policy and Implementation of Blended Approach for teaching-learning at Bangladesh Open University (BOU)”. In the inaugural address Professor Sufia Begum, Dean of the School of Education, said that the “it is high time that the academics adapt OER and understand the gravity of pedagogical transformation necessary for Higher Education through ODL.
The BOU is in a process to use OER for delivering Open Distance Learning for its learners. The university is presently emphasizes on academicians developing expertise on realizing how important OER is, how to develop and maintain such resources. In this regard the authority sought CEMCA’s assistance.
Prof. Mohan Menon, former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Wawasan Open University, was the key resource person of the three CEPs at BOU, observed that much is there to be achieved and the dynamic environment at BOU is very congenial and it depends much on the agility of the academics on how much they can achieve.
Key facilitator for the workshop, Dr. Manas Ranjan Panigrahi of CEMCA, in his address said that, he expects the participants and practitioners of ODL to understand OER and utilize this opportunity, place as many inquiries as possible and gain a concrete understanding of the process and become the Master Trainers.
“This workshop aims at equipping Master Trainers with adequate knowledge and understanding of OER, its challenges, opportunities and the possibilities and employ this know-how in creating learning materials and constructing teaching/training techniques.” said Assistant Professor Mizanoor Rahman, Team Leader, CEMCA-BOU OER Implementation Project.
The CEP focused on the review and finalization of the steps to implement OER at BOU. The CEP came out with:
· a list of school-wise print materials to, subsequently, dictate for OER Repository through CC licensing as is mentioned in the BOU OER Policy 2014;
· 50% participants completed their Understanding of OER Online course run by Commonwealth of Learning; rest shall do by in 15 days of time.
· a list of PPTs for the participants’ respective subject using the in-house OER Template in order to prepare personal OER;
This activity is part of CEMCA’s continued efforts of promoting the application of ICTs to enhance the quality of and access to education, and access to open educational resources (OERs).
