The Distance, Open and e-Learning Practitioners’ Association of East Africa (DOLPA-EA) is the leading professional body dedicated to advancing Open, Distance, and e-Learning (ODeL) in the region. Established in 2024, DOLPA-EA is recognized as a convener of thought leadership and a driver of innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in education across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo among other global partners.
Vision
To be the leading professional regional association driving excellence, inclusivity, and innovation in ODeL, empowering learners across Eastern Africa to achieve their full potential through accessible, flexible, and quality education.
Mission
To empower education professionals and institutions in Eastern Africa by promoting best practices, advancing innovative ODeL methods, and fostering collaboration, thereby enhancing access to equitable quality education for all learners.
Membership and Reach
- Over 250 members drawn from 50+ universities and institutions across 7 countries.
- Inclusive membership base spanning academics, researchers, policymakers, students, and practitioners.
- Expanding networks across Africa and global ODeL communities.
Flagship Initiatives
Hosted at Africa Nazarene University (ANU), Kenya, this conference convenes 100+ delegates from academia, industry, and government under the theme “Innovations for Sustainable Development in a Changing World.”
It delivers:
- Policy briefs for education ministries and regulators
- Research dissemination and peer-reviewed outputs
- Networking across regional and global partners
Journal of Contemporary Issues in ODeL (JC-ODEL)
A peer-reviewed journal providing a platform for rigorous scholarship in digital learning, innovations, and policy. JC-ODEL bridges African research to the global academic community, enhancing the visibility of regional knowledge production.
Impact Areas
- Policy Influence: DOLPA-EA provides recommendations to governments on ODeL integration into higher education systems.
- Capacity Development: Facilitates professional training and workshops on digital pedagogy, governance, and research.
- Regional Integration: Strengthens ODeL networks, ensuring coherence across East Africa.
- Knowledge Sharing: Disseminates African innovations through conferences, publications, and collaborative platforms.
Financial Stewardship
DOLPA-EA practices transparent and accountable financial management, balancing revenue streams from membership fees, sponsorships, grants, and event registrations.
For example, the 2025 Conference projected revenue of KES 2.75 million, strategically allocated to facilities, research dissemination, and ICT infrastructure. This demonstrates prudent stewardship and sustainability planning.
Lasting Outcomes
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- Publication of African-led innovations in ODeL.
- Strengthened regional and international professional networks.
- Enhanced adoption of technology-enabled education systems.
- Tangible policy recommendations integrated into education reforms.
Alignment with Global Development Priorities
DOLPA-EA’s work aligns with:
- World Bank priorities on digital transformation, equity in education, and resilience.
- UNESCO’s SDG 4 on inclusive and equitable quality education.
- African Union Agenda 2063 goals for human capital development and innovation.
Value Proposition for Partners
By supporting DOLPA-EA, partners gain:
- Strategic visibility across a pan-African professional network.
- Access to thought leadership shaping education policy and practice.
- Evidence-based insights into scalable innovations for education transformation.
- Collaborative platforms to co-design impactful interventions