RENU @15
Bugema University’s E-learning
experience
By Robert Nkambwe, A senior IT Administrator at Bugema University
Country-wide closure of Educational
Institutions
• On March 20th, 2019, the president of Uganda
closed all educational institutions in the
country in an attempt to stop the spread of
COVID19.
• On March 1st, 2021, the president allowed
Universities and higher institutions to start
opening in a “staggered manner”, beginning
with candidate classes.
• You notice, for almost a full year, schools were
completely shut away from their traditional
face-to-face teaching and learning models.
• This sudden situation came as a shock and
caught many institutions unawares and
digitally unprepared for a swift change from
face-to-face to online learning.
• Bugema University had no virtual studios to
immediately substitute the traditional
classrooms.
• The university also lacked digital systems to
facilitate online learning – Moodle, BBB,
ZOOM, Google meet etc.
• Many faculty and students lacked the skills
needed to fully utilize digital technologies for
teaching and learning respectively.
• There was no regulatory framework to maintain
academic standards after the switch, as required
by NCHE, (E.g. ODEL, online Exam, Blended
learning policies etc).
• The situation was so bleak and undesirable!
REAPING THE BENEFITS OF RENU’S
DEA
• Bugema University was among the
beneficiaries of the RENU’s Direct Engineering
Assistance program.
• Through this offer, the university was able to
build a reliable and resilient network
infrastructure capable of sustaining the digital
transformation process.
• Since the directive to close universities came mid-way the
semester, it required the institution to explore affordable
digital options to stay connected with learners.
• The university quickly adopted a “Crisis Distance Education”
model which, for such circumstances, is usually rushed in
to save the classroom and get the educational institution
back on its feet.
• With support from RENU, we quickly setup digital
environments which have enabled Bugema University sail
through the storm and stay afloat.
Embracing RENU Cloud-Based Digital
Educational Products
• Cloud-based Learning Management System
(LMS) –Moodle.
• Cloud-based Conferencing tools;
BigBlueButton
• ZOOM
• Eduroam
Affordable RENU Cloud Platforms
Cloud-based Learning Management
System (LMS) –Moodle.
• On June 3rd , 2020, we subscribed to RENU
Cloud Services, option: R-1XLarge and
immediately begun the setup process with
support from RENU technical team.
• On July 8th, 2020 Bugema University’s online
learning platforms were ready to be
customized and deployed.
A CUTOMIZED MOODLE PLATFORM
BBB CONFERENCING TOOL
CONTROLLED ACCESS
PROGRAM HIERARCHY
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND COURSE ENROLLMENT
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES
RECORDED LECTURES
ACCESS LINKS
WEEKLY COVERAGE
MANAGED EXAMS
EXAMINATION SETUP
SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR POLICIES,TIMETABLE AND E-LIBRARY
CONCLUSION
• COVID19 has changed the academic landscape
for good.
• With E-learning, Bugema University has
embraced blended learning not only to meet
government SoPs but also as a measure to reach
out to a wider audience.
• We want to thank RENU for continued support
and look forward to seeing RENU grow bigger
after 15!
THANK YOU