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The country will soon embrace the open university model after MPs approved the establishment of Kenya’s first virtual university.

The model will according to MPs be cost-effective as compared to the traditional higher education offered by local universities.

The university, leveraging the country’s digital infrastructure, is anticipated to charge fees ranging from Sh10,400 to Sh10,900 per module, depending on the chosen course.

Last week, the National Assembly approved the preliminary charter for the Open University of Kenya (OUK), paving the way for the admission of the initial cohort of 7,100 distance e-learners.

“The identified programs at the Open University of Kenya propose a fee range of between Sh10,400 and Sh10,900 per module, based on the principle of affordability and in comparison with other open distance learning institutions,” stated the Technical Committee on the Establishment of the Open University of Kenya in a report.

The specified modules charging Sh10,400 include the Bachelor of Data Science, Bachelor of Economics and Statistics, Bachelor of Science in Business and Entrepreneurship, Bachelor of Technology Education, and Bachelor of Cyber Security and Digital Forensics. Meanwhile, the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Sciences and Technology module is expected to cost Sh10,900.

“For the two post-diploma courses – Diploma in Learning Design and Technology and Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership and Accountability – offered in the first year, the projected fee per year is Sh130,000,” added the committee.