UNICAF
 | |
 | |
| Established | 2012 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Dr Nicos Nicolaou |
| Headquarters | Larnaca, Cyprus |
Staff | 200+ |
| Website | unicaf.org |
Founded in 2012, UNICAF is an organisation dedicated to making higher education of international standard accessible to African professionals and young school leavers.
UNICAF operates 2 different models:
- Firstly, in partnership with western universities UNICAF offers degrees online, or through ‘blended learning’ (i.e. including some face to face tuition, particularly in Africa); UNICAF’s university partners in the West are the University of South Wales in the UK, the Marymount California University in the US, and the University of Nicosia in Cyprus.
- Secondly, UNICAF offers its own locally accredited degrees, mainly to African students in Africa – again through a combination of online and blended study; UNICAF has recently opened its own university in Malawi, the Unicaf University, Malawi campus, and is conducting negotiations with a number of other African governments to establish more campuses.
With a staff of over 200, UNICAF is providing the full spectrum of services[1] for partner universities’ online courses; from creating initial contact, to marketing, academic supervision and course material provision, student support services, until successful completion of the course, leading to the award of the relevant degree by the respective university. While UNICAF is responsible for delivering course material and providing the teaching of students, courses are approved, and assignments/exams are set by partner universities.[2]
History
UNICAF was founded in 2012,[3] with its name reflecting its origins, having initially evolved from the University of Nicosia, While initially focusing solely on Africa, it has been expanding[3] its range to offer scholarships to students worldwide, provided they meet certain eligibility criteria. UNICAF has established a number of information centres in Africa, such as in Nigeria, Kenya, Mauritius, Uganda, Somalia, Zambia and Malawi. Already more than 8,000 have taken advantage of the UNICAF scholarships and registered to one of the partnership programmes. The number of students is estimated to increase to 60,000 by the year 2020.[4] Current investors include the CDC Group[5] in the UK, University Ventures in the US and the Savanna Fund in Africa. The funds invested aim to support UNICAF in its effort to establish higher education learning centres in several African countries, including the expansion of the Unicaf University campus in Malawi. The learning centres are set up to include digital libraries, computer labs, internet, generators and make students less prone to the studying in areas with partially inadequate infrastuctures.[6] The need for British universities to provide online courses and not just traditional brick and mortar facilities for non UK residents have been shifted into focus since the Brexit vote earlier this year with the UK-based Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) show a 9% drop in EU admissions since the fateful vote earlier this year.[7]
Eligibility Requirements
The general eligibility requirements for the award of scholarships are:
- an annual income of less than USD 20,000
- availability to commence academic studies within 6 months from the date of receiving admission to one of the programmes offered
Additionally, specific academic qualifications must be met in order to qualify for the relevant degree courses.
Programmes Offered
Currently, UNICAF offers a number of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in a number of areas such as business, education and psychology:[8]
Unicaf University
UNICAF opened the first Unicaf University campus in Lilongwe (Malawi) in September 2016[9][10] to service south-eastern Africa. The campus is situated in Lilongwe and will provide a traditional campus environment, offering blended learning, while still providing online courses. Although founded by UNICAF, Unicaf University is treated as a partner university[9] with scholarships provided for students taking the courses, whether online or in the form of blended learning. According to Dr Kevin Andrews, Vice-Chancelor,[9] Unicaf University is currently in the process of opening campuses in several locations in Africa.
References
- ^ "About us - UNICAF - Scholarships Schemes". 25 July 2013.
- ^ UNICAF (17 February 2016). "UNICAF-USW Launch" – via YouTube.
- ^ a b News, The PIE. "International Education News l The PIE News l African tertiary education can't meet demand".
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "'Higher education needs to be more affordable for Africa to grow' - Vanguard News". 3 November 2016.
- ^ "CDC backs education group UNICAF with $11.5mln - Africa Capital Digest".
- ^ https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/african-online-market-interests-uk-universities-due-brexit
- ^ http://www.forbes.com/sites/montymunford/2016/11/25/unicaf-brings-western-university-degrees-to-africans-for-20-of-price/2/#6c5fddb55398
- ^ "Programmes offered - UNICAF - Scholarships Schemes". 3 February 2015.
- ^ a b c "New Branch Campus by Unicaf University - IT News Africa – Africa's Technology News Leader".
- ^ "Serious skills, education challenges for growing African labour force met by innovative higher education e-learning solution - Vanguard News". 5 October 2016.
External links
