Students graduate from Université Laval in West Africa

Ottawa, June 15, 2009 – More than 85 African university students will graduate with a degree in computer science from Université Laval this week without ever visiting the Quebec campus.

The students from Francophone West Africa have earned their Canadian degrees in their own countries – studying long distance through an award-winning program funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and managed by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), in partnership with the African Virtual University (AVU).

“Computer scientists and programmers are highly desirable knowledge workers for West Africa. By setting up new businesses, creating jobs and attracting foreign investments, they not only improve their own economic future, but contribute to their countries’ economic growth,” says Walid Madhoun, Director of International Technical Cooperation at AUCC.

“The PILAF program is an excellent example of an effective intervention to help reduce poverty and CIDA is to be lauded for its innovative and effective approach in this project,” added Mr. Madhoun. Canada’s involvement with the program ends this year with the strategic realignment of CIDA’s priorities.

The Programme d’Informatique de l’Université Laval à l’Afrique Francophone (PILAF) program was recently named a finalist in the category of online learning and knowledge management and received the OCTAS sweet heart award recognizing excellence in Quebec’s information technology industry. Each year Réseau ACTION TI rewards individuals, companies or organizations for their creativity, vitality and exceptional contribution to the growth of the industry.

The degree level Programme d’informatique de l’Université Laval en Afrique francophone has been delivered to two cohorts of Francophone African students in a partnership between Université Laval and eight universities in Africa. Through this virtual university program, Université Laval professors deliver lectures to African students by webcast. Students are able to see the professors’ power point presentations, ask questions and listen to questions from students in other countries. Local tutors at their own universities support the students.

The first cohort of students began the program in 2004 and 50 graduated in June 2008. The second cohort of more than 125 students began their studies in 2006 and 150 will graduate in eight countries by the end of the program.

The majority of graduates from the first cohort of the program stayed in their home countries and contributes to the local workforce. Many of the graduating PILAF students intend to pursue their studies at the Master’s level, some in Europe and others in Canada.

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For more information:

Walid Madhoun
Director
Technical Cooperation Division, International Affairs Program
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada