• The University of Burundi has created a Digital Teaching Support Unit to strengthen digital education across all faculties and institutes.

• Surveys show that only 19.69% of students regularly follow digital courses, while just one in five students owns a computer.

• Despite infrastructure and connectivity constraints, 85.04% of students and 96.1% of teachers support the expansion of digital learning.

The University of Burundi has established a Digital Teaching Support Unit. The university announced the initiative last week as part of a broader strategy to accelerate the digital transformation of higher education in Burundi.

According to the rectoral decision establishing the unit, the structure will develop and strengthen digital education across all faculties and institutes within the university. The unit will also initiate and support projects and programs aimed at integrating digital technologies to improve teaching quality. In addition, the structure will promote research, reflection and partnerships in educational technologies.

To support implementation, the university appointed focal points across all faculties and institutes. These representatives will assist lecturers in adopting digital teaching practices while identifying training and resource needs. They will also monitor emerging opportunities in educational technologies and help foster a digital culture within the higher education system.

Between Potential, Delays and Challenges

The initiative comes as Burundian authorities seek to digitize higher education in line with trends across several African countries. Policymakers view the integration of ICT into teaching and learning processes as a way to improve access to educational resources, modernize teaching methods and strengthen digital skills among students and teachers.

However, Burundi continues to lag behind in that area. Richard Ndayishimiye, dean of the Higher Institute of Commerce (ISCO) at the University of Burundi and an expert in higher education digital transformation, highlighted those challenges in January during the 8th AUPTIC conference in Lausanne, Switzerland.

He cited difficulties linked to the digital divide, limited access to connectivity and energy infrastructure, and the need to strengthen digital skills within the university community.

Survey data cited in the report showed that only 19.69% of students regularly participate in digital learning, while 49.32% of teachers said they organize digital courses. In addition, 82.7% of students expressed training needs, compared with 93.5% of teachers.

The survey also highlighted equipment shortages among students. Only one in five students owns a computer. Smartphones remain more widespread, but many devices remain incompatible with certain educational applications. Campuses also offer limited or no properly equipped workspaces.

Nevertheless, the university community has shown strong interest in digital learning. According to the survey, 85.04% of students support the expansion of digital technologies, while 96.1% of teachers favor further digital development in higher education.

This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum