UR academic staff sharpen digital teaching skills through CODeL and AI training

Shadrac Ntirandekura — 2026-06-24T15:42:51Z

A section of participants during the CODeL and Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program training on effective utilization of CODeL Centre facilities and ethical AI use in education.

Academic staff from the University of Rwanda's seven colleges are participating in a five-day workshop aimed at strengthening their capacity in the effective utilization of CODeL facilities and the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education.

The training, organized by the Centre for Open, Distance and eLearning (CODeL) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda, brings together existing UR E-Champions and additional academic staff to expand the University's capacity for digital education and technology-enhanced learning.

ICT staff participate in hands-on training on the Mobile Studio during practical sessions aimed at strengthening the effective utilization of CODeL facilities and advancing technology-enhanced teaching and learning across the University of Rwanda.

The initiative is part of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program's broader commitment to strengthening institutional capacity and supporting innovative approaches to teaching and learning. It also aligns with the University of Rwanda's efforts to advance blended learning and improve access to quality education through digital technologies.

During hands-on practical sessions, participants collaborate, share experiences, and support one another as they explore digital tools and strategies for enhancing teaching and learning.

Throughout the workshop, participants are receiving hands-on training on how to effectively utilize CODeL facilities to create engaging course content, improve student interaction, and support flexible learning opportunities. They are also exploring the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in higher education and how it can be used responsibly to enhance teaching, assessment, and feedback.

Jean-Baptiste Mushimiyimana, Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Early Childhood and Special Education at the University of Rwanda College of Education, says the training is equipping academic staff with practical skills to effectively utilize CODeL facilities and expand access to quality education through digital learning.

For Jean-Baptiste Mushimiyimana, an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Early Childhood and Special Education at the University of Rwanda- College of Education, the workshop is providing practical skills that can help transform the learning experience for students.

"This training is very important because it is helping us acquire the knowledge and practical skills needed to effectively utilize ODeL Centre facilities, particularly in developing interactive and engaging course materials," he said.
Mushimiyimana believes the facilities can play a significant role in expanding access to quality education across the country.

"Through these facilities, a lecturer can deliver a lesson from one ODeL Centre and have it broadcast simultaneously to learners in different locations across the country. This creates opportunities for greater access to quality education and enhances the learning experience for students regardless of their geographical location."

The workshop also introduces participants to the practical application of Artificial Intelligence in education, including its use in course design, assessment, content development, and learner support. Equally important are discussions on the ethical and responsible use of AI to ensure that technological innovation complements, rather than compromises, academic integrity.

At the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Assistant Lecturer Thaoussi Uwera sees the training as a valuable contribution to the University's transition toward blended learning.

"I found this workshop very interesting and beneficial because it has equipped us with practical skills for developing interactive learning content that can be uploaded to the University's e-learning platform," she said.

Thaoussi Uwera, Assistant Lecturer at the University of Rwanda College of Medicine and Health Sciences, says the CODeL and AI training has equipped her with practical skills to develop interactive digital learning content and online assessments.

Uwera noted that the practical sessions have improved her understanding of how digital tools can be used to support both teaching and assessment.

"I have also learned how to create and manage online assessments, including quizzes and assignments, making them easily accessible to students through the University's learning management system."
Beyond strengthening their own competencies, participants are expected to share the knowledge and skills acquired during the training with colleagues in their respective colleges, thereby increasing the number of academic staff capable of supporting digital learning initiatives across the University.

For Uwera, this knowledge-sharing component is among the most important outcomes of the workshop.
"When I return to my campus, I intend to share the knowledge and skills I have gained with my fellow lecturers."

By equipping both existing E-Champions and additional academic staff with practical digital skills, the workshop is helping the University of Rwanda build a stronger network of educators capable of advancing technology-enhanced teaching and learning. Through the continued partnership between CODeL and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UR, the University is strengthening its ability to deliver innovative, inclusive, and future-ready education for all learners.