The rising importance of healthcare managers

Understandably, the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the significance of the healthcare sector at the national and international levels. As a result, governments and private healthcare organisations seek to employ capable, well-trained healthcare managers and leaders. Not just to handle disease outbreaks, but also to help maintain the physical and mental health of the population. At the same time, unemployment rates are rising dramatically, and people are searching for new job opportunities. Thus, many professionals looking for a new position view the pandemic as an inspiration for a new career in health management.

Indisputably, the public and private health management sectors are just as essential in both developing and already developed countries. Obviously, in the developing world, public health lacks the necessary infrastructure and facilities. However, even countries with sophisticated public health systems and a long tradition in training medical staff seem incapable of containing the spread of the coronavirus. This may be due to a number of reasons, from budget cuts in national health systems, homelessness and addictions to inefficient management.

On the other hand, gigantic private hospitals in large cities like New York, Beijing, London or Tokyo, are trying to attract good managers to lead them. In other words, both private and public healthcare providers across the globe are searching for well-trained managers.

Qualify in health management with a UK university

In response to this demand, Unicaf offers online learning opportunities for public health and healthcare management with its partners the University of Suffolk in the UK and multi-campus Unicaf University in Africa.

The British University of Suffolk has selected Unicaf for the online delivery of its MSc Public Health degree programme. The University of Suffolk is a transformational university, aiming to change the lives of individuals and communities for the better.

More specifically, this programme is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to public health. It is suitable for students who intend to pursue careers in public health practice, management and/or research at local, national and/or supranational levels.

The core focus of the degree is on improving the health and well-being of populations, preventing health problems and reducing inequalities in health. It explores a broad range of contemporary public health issues, supported by leading experts. Students also benefit from the exchange of experiences with fellow students from different countries and public health systems around the world.

Furthermore, the degree awarded by the University to online and on-campus students is exactly the same. Online students can even attend the graduation ceremony at the University’s campus in the UK, together with on-campus graduates, subject to visa restrictions.

Earn online an internationally recognised Master’s in Healthcare Management

In addition, Unicaf University offers, through online delivery, the MBA in Health Management and the MSc Healthcare Management. Both programmes are locally accredited by the respective national accreditation bodies. In addition, the Malawi and Zambia campuses of UU are accredited internationally by the British Accreditation Council,Ìýin the UK.

Programme modules range from Operational Management and Marketing in Health Organisations to Epidemiology, Health Economics, Public Health Leadership and Health Law and Ethics.

These Master’s degrees aim to prepare leaders in the public and private healthcare sectors. Hence they impart a wide range of knowledge and skills covering administration and finance, design, planning, and provision of healthcare.

Most importantly, both programmes are available via online study. The Unicaf online digital platform offers multiple advantages to students. You benefit from greatly reduced fees, study in own your free time, and network with professionals in other countries.

Both Unicaf University degree programmes lead to internationally recognised Master’s qualifications.

Career opportunities in Health Management

Because of the current pandemic crisis, graduates of public health management are in great demand. They can work for local authorities, government departments, national health systems, and health-related agencies. Internationally they may find positions with the World Health Organisation or the UN, the UNHCR, Unicef and other international agencies. They can also study for a Doctoral degree to pursue careers in universities as academics or researchers.

Similarly, Healthcare management graduates can work as administrators or leaders of healthcare facilities, directors of health services, or consultants. Alternatively, they can follow the route to academia or research, by opting for a Doctorate in Healthcare Management.

In addition, both Public Health and Healthcare Managers can work for Non-profit organisations and NGOs, developing essential healthcare campaigns.

In short, you can view the pandemic crisis as an inspiration for a new career. Enroll for an online health management degree through Unicaf. You can study from home, at an affordable cost with a Unicaf scholarship. Your internationally recognised Master’s will enhance your CV and prepare you for a managerial career in the health sector.

The high cost of the pandemic

This pandemic will cost more than any other previous global crisis. Governments had to empty their coffers to support workers and businesses through extended lockdowns.

As a result, many businesses had to close down. From airlines to theatres, and from hotels, to bars and restaurants, workplaces were closed for months. In fact, some may never open up again with the same capacity and operations.

Also, those businesses that do re-open, must follow strict public health guidelines, like serving fewer customers, maintaining social distance etc. Understandably, these measures make businesses less profitable.

So, why are flexibility and change hailed as the new determinants of success?

quotes a Canadian executive stating that flexibility and change will define the ‘new normality’ and determine success post-Covid-19.

Surely, one change that is predicted to be long lasting is working from home. For example, Facebook has already announced that it will allow many of its employees to work from home permanently. While Google informed its personnel that they are not likely to return to their offices until mid-2021. Of course, professionals working from home need to be flexible, and prepared to change the way they work and to learn more.

On the other hand, organisations will probably need to re-evaluate their human capital and their employment agreements. Therefore we can expect that project-based hires, specified-time consultancy work and out-sourcing of services will rise dramatically.

This way, businesses will be able to draw talent from a larger, global pool, while workers will have more job opportunities to choose from.

The lessons of the pandemic

In order to survive in times of crisis, organisations have learnt that they need to be innovative, flexible, and eager to improve conditions for their employees. It is a fact that happy employees serve customers better and produce better financial results.

Similarly, employees have learnt that by being flexible, embracing change, and learning new things, they remain relevant and useful.

Thus, professionals with years of experience in one sector may need to acquire new skills to work in a different sector. Or, they may need to upgrade their skills in order to become more efficient at their job.

How will training change in the post-pandemic era?

Naturally, the needs and conditions of the marketplace determine the skills. Also, which employees must bring to the job, as well as the responsibilities of employers.

°Õ³ó±ðÌýÌýencourages organisations to apply social distancing, staggered work shifts, downsized operations, remote delivery of services and tele-work.

Understandably, training and learning also have to be online, for both convenience and safety. Yet, will this shift to online delivery affect the quality and the cost of training and learning?

Affordable online learning with the Unicaf Corporate Scholarship Scheme

In order to serve the ‘new normality’ at the workplace, theÌýUnicaf Corporate Scholarship SchemeÌýoffers employees the opportunity to earn academic qualifications without disruption to their work schedules. This is a win-win solution. Employers haveÌýzero cost, and employees benefit from generous scholarships and flexible payment plans.

This way, employees can pursue online a Bachelor, Master’s or Doctoral degree with one ofÌýUnicaf’s partner universities. They are the University of Suffolk in the UK, Liverpool John Moores University in the UK, the University of East London in the UK, or multi-campus Unicaf University in Africa. Alternatively they can earn an American professional Certificate by studying online with the University of California, Riverside Extension in the USA.

Thus, organisations end up with better trained and more loyal employees, who are efficient and can improve the organisation’s overall performance. At the same time, employees add new qualifications to their CVs, increase their self-confidence and renew their enthusiasm for the job.

Utilising new technologies for training

As a matter of fact, professional trainers lead in utilising new technologies, which make learning more interesting and memorable. Yet, in the post COVID-19 era, new technologies will assume an even more important role.

Unicaf and Unicaf University have years of expertise in online academic studies and professional training for diverse professions and industries.

Internationally qualified tutors and trainers utilise the cutting edge tools of the state-of-the-art UnicafÌýonline digital platform. Videos, podcasts, group projects, quizzes and polls make learning fun.

With 24/7 access to study materials, and interaction with tutors and students from 156 countries, professionals can upgrade their qualifications, without disruptions in their work or family.

While they ‘earn as they learn’, they can directly apply their new knowledge at the workplace. In addition, the interaction with professionals from other countries exposes students to different perspectives, processes and mentalities.

Tailor made training

Alternatively, training programmes can be designed specifically for a client organisation. Such programmes can be delivered at the client’s facilities, or at the modern Unicaf University campuses and Unicaf learning centres across Africa.

In order to abide with social distancing guidelines and circumvent lock downs, Unicaf provides academic teaching and professional training fully online. The wide choice of training options available ranges from an one-day workshop to multiple training sessions.

Furthermore, employees earn internationally recognised degrees or professional certificates after passing the final exams. This way, many employees of the same company can receive uniform training online, without disruptions in the workplace. At the same time, organisations can embrace flexibility and change. This will prepare them for the post Covid-19 workplace, at absolutely no cost!

Check out the different opportunities for online learning and training, offered byÌýUnicafÌý²¹²Ô»åÌý.

Studies prove that working from home has multiple benefits

An article in refers to the beneficial outcomes of working from home already in 2014. The article quotes the results of an experiment by a NASDAQ-listed Chinese travel agency. ‘Home working led to a 13% performance increase, 9% from working more minutes per shift, (fewer breaks and sick days), and 4% from more calls per minute, (attributed to a quieter and more convenient working environment). Home workers also reported improved work satisfaction…… This highlights the benefits of …. modern management practices like WFH’.

More recently, an article on popular website highlights a study from 2019: ‘Increasingly, home is being seen as the most productive place to work. AÌý of 1,004 full-time employees across the U.S., including 505 remote workers, found that employees who worked from home worked an average of 16.8 more days every year than those in an office.’

How do you start working from home?

Once the decision has been made, you should create your office at home. It can be a whole room, or a quiet corner in your living room.

Following that, you should purchase the equipment: a good quality computer fitted with a camera and microphone. Also useful are a set of good headphones to avoid distractions, an anatomic seat to support your back, a printer and a desk with storage space.

Equally important is getting electronic tools and applications, that will keep you connected with colleagues and clients.

In fact, you can even invest in time management and project management tools, to track your performance and become motivated.

Working from home alone

In case you are isolating home alone, things can become boring and emotionally destabilising quite fast. So, remain efficient, mentally alert and emotionally balanced, by sticking to a strict work schedule. The danger of a work burn out does not disappear because you work from home.

Make to-do lists, keep deadlines, prioritise, avoid social media and other distractions during work hours. But close your computer at the time you finish work and plan fun things to do in the evenings.

Earning a new qualification from home

It is important to connect with friends, exercise, pamper yourself, or learn new things in your off work time. One idea is to enroll for an online course. Learning a new language, or new skills can improve your future career prospects.

For example, you can use the money you save while staying at home to study for a higher degree. With a new qualification you can emerge from the pandemic better skilled and ready for a promotion, a new job, or a business of your own.

Unicaf offers opportunities for online studies with reputable partner universities. You can choose to do a Bachelor, Master’s or Doctoral degree, or even short, professional development courses.

In addition, a generous scholarship programme and easy payment plans make studying through Unicaf very affordable.

Taking proper care of yourself

As expected, living alone may not inspire you to cook often. However, this can be bad for your health, your waistline and your mental agility. You should cook a warm meal at least once a day. Also eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and get enough sleep to allow your body to rest properly.

Equally important is to do some form of physical exercise every day. Interestingly, there are lots of online exercise options, from yoga to Zumba classes. You can also do some gardening, power walking or cycling. The endorphins released after physical activity will help clear your mind and lift your mood.

Working from home with children in the house

For parents of young children, working from home can be trickier. In addition to their work tasks, they have to keep the children cared for and away from the home office.

In this case too, a daily schedule that suits your work needs and your children’s basic care needs, can be very useful.

Send the children on a treasure hunt

Since children are so adaptable, and see the fun aspect even in doing house chores, you can get them to help around the house without them realising it.

For example, ask them to go on a hidden treasure hunt. The treasure can be old toys you saved, a packet of biscuits, small juice cartons, colouring pencils, story books, kaleidoscopes and puzzles you can buy online, children DVDs etc. In order to find the treasure, the children will have to make their beds, collect their toys and hang their clothes.

You deserve your ‘me’ time

It’s always a good idea to ask for help when you need it from your partner, your neighbour, your in-laws, or anyone else. They can help you with grocery shopping, or look after your children, while you attend that important work video call with investors, clients or managers.

In order to remain productive at work and happy at home with the family, take time to relax alone. Take a long bubble bath, watch your favourite TV show , or connect with fellow online students in other countries. These short ‘breathers’ can rejuvenate your body and mind so that you can work better and study better.

In other words, whatever the situation in your household, you can remain efficient, productive and happy, while working from home. Simply follow a few important rules: be disciplined and organised, prioritise, avoid distractions, eat well, sleep well and exercise.

As a final advice, use working from home as an opportunity to redefine your life and career goals. Consider studying online for a higher qualification with a reputable UK university, at a fraction of the cost through Unicaf. This new qualification can help you stand out as a professional in the highly competitive work environment of the future.

Even those still working are feeling anxious about losing their jobs and their livelihoods. Especially so, if they are the sole or main breadwinner in their family. The truth is no one can feel safe in employment anymore.

However, rather than stressing out over the possibility of losing your job, why not prepare yourself for the worst case scenario, in the most creative way possible?

After all, losing your current job does not have to mean the end of your professional life. In fact, there are a number of options and alternatives to consider if you find yourself in this situation.

Find out how you are doing in your job right now

To start with, consider how far you have climbed on the career ladder and where you want to be in five years’ time. Then evaluate your contribution. Be strict with yourself.

Following that, examine your pre-pandemic levels of job satisfaction and the way you were able to adapt to working from home under lock down. Ask yourself whether your contribution increased, remained at the same level or was reduced, while working remotely. To do this exercise correctly you have to answer the following questions:

• Do your knowledge and skills perfectly match your job?
• Are your technical IT and computer skills adequate to allow you to switch from working in the office to working from home, without any problems? (Something that may happen again in the future.)
• Are your personality and talents suited to the position you have?
• Do you give the maximum of your abilities to the job, (as employers expect you to)?
• Do you have a job that you like and can do efficiently?

If you have answered ‘no’ to any of the questions above, then you should probably start searching for a job, or industry, where you would be more productive and happy. Most importantly, you must understand that you may need to learn more, retrain or up-skill, in order to become more employable.

It’s never too late to broaden your horizons

Always remember that it’s never too late to make a change that will open up new horizons in your professional life. But do take care to move to a sector of the economy that is growing, even in this negative climate, and is hiring new people.

Naturally, the first sector that comes to mind is Healthcare. Healthcare workers, lab technicians, epidemiologists and health statisticians are the heroes of the day and Healthcare is now acknowledged as a sector of crucial importance, rapidly expanding in all countries.

It’s a fact that healthcare provision needs are expected to continue to grow, as large parts of the world’s populations become elderly and face a multitude of ailments and medical conditions.

Join the booming Healthcare sector

Due to these factors, millions of new positions are expected to open up in the healthcare sector worldwide, not just for doctors and nurses, but also for administrators and managers. Healthcare Management is a sought after specialisation and is expected to become more so in the future.

Unicaf offers four different degrees from internationally recognised, accredited partner universities through online study:

MSc Public Health – the University of Suffolk (UK)

MSc in International Public Health – John Moores Liverpool University (UK)

MBA Health Management – multi-campus Unicaf University

MSc Healthcare Management – multi-campus Unicaf University

Sharpen your digital skills

In addition, you should consider IT, Computer Science and Web Development if you plan a career switch, or an upgrade of your skills. The future of our world is digital, and the current public health crisis has proven how important good IT skills are for every working professional.

Indeed, it is common knowledge that Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Virtual Reality, Robotics, Block Chain etc are becoming part of our everyday work experience, regardless of whether we work in a factory or an office, in logistics or accounting, in medicine, teaching, management, finance, or the law. Therefore, working professionals must be able to use these tools in their work to be employable.

You can retrain or up-skill in IT, Web Design and Information Systems Management with Unicaf University online. You can study in your own free time, without disrupting your work or family life. The Unicaf University Malawi campus, which has been accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC), based in the UK, offers all three degrees.

BSc in Computer Science –ÌýUnicaf University

MSc Web Design and Development – Unicaf University

MBA Management Information Systems – Unicaf University

#BeUnicafSmart

The programmes Unicaf offers through its partner universities are very affordable, thanks to generous scholarships, which reduce tuition fees considerably.

They are also flexible, with 24/7 access to study materials and e-libraries through the Unicaf digital platform. Thus, you can study after work and on week-ends, using a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop or a PC.

Finally, the most important thing for professional success is to ‘’, as Elim Chew says. The award winning entrepreneur has over 30 years of business experience in fashion, hospitality and social enterprises. She argues we must sense the problems of the times, understand what needs to change and offer effective solutions.

In other words, to be employable in the post pandemic workplace you must remain alert to challenges and opportunities. Aim for more relevant qualifications, learn sought after skills, and step out of your comfort zone. Dare to try out new ideas and to work in a different position, industry or sector. With Unicaf you can do it!

Time to reset and restart

It’s a fact that the present public health crisis has brought the world to a standstill, and now a dynamic reset and restart is called for. But the question is, what kind of leadership in the post-pandemic world can inspire individuals, companies, organisations and countries to reinvent themselves in order to succeed?

Before this crisis, systems and leadership styles followed universally accepted standards. The goal was to foster efficiency and, ultimately, increase revenues. This applied to the production of goods, the delivery of services, scientific research, teaching and learning.

However, after the pandemic subsides, values, standards and approaches will need a thorough rethink and recalibration to align with the hopes and aims of the emerging new world.

Now, we all have come to realise that no one is immune to new diseases, neither royalty, nor famous Hollywood stars, nor multi-millionaires with luxury refuges in the middle of nowhere.

As a result, previous universal standards, forms of political and socioeconomic authority and social divisions were quite badly hit by this novel, microscopic virus.

New value systems and new heroes emerging

More particularly, the world has seen how fast the challenge of the socio-political status quo can escalate to social unrest and chaos. Like the massive protests against police violence directed at black Americans in the USA, following the killing of George Floyd by police. Similarly, this challenge of authority is manifested in mass shootings in schools and colleges across the USA and Europe, as well as in the rise of terrorism, and religious or political fanaticism.

Yet, it is not only standards and belief systems that the virus has shattered. Even traditional figures of authority are now openly disputed, while new heroes emerge. Doctors and nurses, epidemiologists and public health specialists, hospital cleaners, garbage collectors, pilots delivering medical supplies, pharmacists and reporters have now captured the hearts of the public.

In addition, this is the moment of volunteers to shine, from those printing 3-D respirators and face shields in their offices, to housewives sewing protective cloth masks at home, or even survivors of the disease, sharing their experiences through social or conventional media. These are the celebrated new heroes.

The public and the media are beginning to express resentment for the astronomical sums earned by football and cinema stars, in sharp contrast to the salaries of exhausted doctors and nurses and overwhelmed front line workers, who are risking their own lives to save others.

New countries capture the public’s attention

Furthermore, traditional protagonists of global affairs like China, the USA, Russia and the UK have been put to shame, for the way they have handled the pandemic, by much smaller countries like New Zealand, Iceland and Singapore. African countries are also faring much better, exhibiting lower infection rates than highly advanced European countries like Spain, Italy and France.

Nevertheless, the truth of the matter is that all countries need dynamic, efficient and forward thinking leaders to successfully lead their people into the new world after the pandemic. And corporations need these leaders too.

But how can leaders push corporations forward into the uncharted territory of the post-pandemic world? How can they transform themselves and their leadership style to inspire those they lead? How can a work force, still battling with fear and stress about health and finances, be re-grouped and revitalised? Probably the best way to achieve transformation is through new learning.

Transformation through learning

As UNICON Chair , ‘In the volatile and dynamic environment being shaped by events like COVID-19, executives need to embrace learning as an essential element of the future of work. Not long ago, competitive advantage among individuals, organisations, and different world regions belonged to those who knew the most—a knowledge economy. Now it accrues to those who know how to learn the most—a learning economy. This context presents several opportunities and challenges that shape both the future of work and the role that executive development plays in supporting individuals, organisations, and society overall.’

Indisputably, the development of new organisational models begins with the transformation of those who lead. Successful leaders of tomorrow will have to learn today how to transform and inspire themselves and their teams, to move their organisations effectively and successfully into the post-pandemic era.

Furthermore, new organisational models should offer employees the opportunity to learn how to navigate through unknown waters. Thanks to technological advances this is easily achieved in the employees’ own free time, without interfering with their work and family commitments, through online delivery.

A win-win situation for employers and employees

For example, the Unicaf Corporate Scholarship Scheme allows groups of employees in the same organisation to study online, for a higher academic or professional qualification, at a fraction of the cost, through the award of generous group scholarships.

On the one hand, the scheme allows employees to pay greatly reduced fees in flexible installments, and benefit from gaining new knowledge, skills and qualifications. On the other hand, the employer ends up with a better trained and more efficient workforce, at no cost to the organisation.

In fact, employees can pursue an academic degree or a professional development short course, choosing to study with any one of Unicaf’s internationally recognised and accredited partner universities. Unicaf’s partners are located in the UK (the University of Suffolk, Liverpool John Moores University, and the University of East London) in the USA (the University of California, Riverside Extension) and in Africa (multi-campus Unicaf University).

In short, a new type of leadership is needed to lead humankind out of the present crisis and into the post-pandemic era with success. And the necessary transformation and reinvention of individuals, corporations and nations in the learning oriented, global economy of tomorrow is easily achievable with online learning through Unicaf.

Lessons from the pandemic crisis

The pandemic has shown the need to respect and protect the natural environment. With the world coming to a standstill, inner city air has cleared from transport and factory emissions;Ìýthe seas, rivers and lakes see the return of an abundance of marine life. Nature is regenerating.

Another important lesson is to respect each other as humans and help each other as nations, through open and honest co-operation. Until the Covid-19 disease is contained in every country, borders must remain closed and people must stay at home.

Social distancing and home confinement may last for longer than expected. These measures have led usÌýto new ways of working, learning, connecting. The Internet has become the new global hub of human activity. As a result, investors are shifting their attention to online businesses and online business opportunities.

The results of social distancing

On one hand, companies, whose employees work remotely, see now the financial benefits of not paying for expensive city offices; on the other hand, employees are more satisfied, creative and productive; they are not wasting their time, money and energy in long commutes to the office, in heavy traffic.

Tele-conferencing and digital media make connecting with colleagues, managers and clients easy and affordable. We are all now connecting through Zoom, Skype, Messenger, Hangouts, Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram etc.

The medical profession is using tele-medicine to diagnose and treat patients remotely; Schools and colleges have switched to e-learning, with good results. In addition, the information and entertainment industries are seeing a rapid increase of online audiences. People read the latest news online, watch the latest movies through Netflix, enjoy music, theatre, and opera performances on YouTube.

The effects of the pandemic crisis on jobs

It is expected that, after the corona virus pandemic subsides, more people will be competing for less jobs. Qualifications which were adequate, until recently, to secure a good position, will no longer be enough.

Hence, professionals who lost their jobs, or worry about their future, are looking to upgrade their skills and enhance their CVs with higher qualifications. They feel the pressure to remain competitive in a job market expected to shrink and to become more demanding.

Online short courses are a great way to acquire new skills while in quarantine, or working from home. Additionally, this period is an opportunity to embark on online studies forÌýa higher academic qualification. After all, the aim is to gain a competitive edge in tomorrow’s workplace. Job seekers are well aware that by becoming more qualified they will be more employable.

The growing demand for online courses

Online courses at various levels, fromÌýdiplomas to PhDs, are in high demand during lock down. With restrictions in movement, prospective students seek accredited and reputable institutions, which can provide full online educational services.

Enter Unicaf, a global educational organisation, which delivers online professional courses as well as accredited Bachelor, Master’s and Doctoral degrees. Unicaf partners with reputable universities in the UK, the USA and Africa, who approve the content of courses and award qualifications.

Unicaf’s state-of-the-art digital platform provides everything a student needs from registration to graduation. It offers access to study materials and e-libraries 24/7, plus forums where students and tutors from 156 countries interact and network.

Online learning through the Unicaf platformÌýis exciting and fun; modern teaching tools like videos, quizzes and group projects, help students learn faster and retain knowledge for longer. Students ofÌýdifferent nationalities exchange ideas and share experiences from their own workplace in online discussions.

Online degrees are available with generous Unicaf scholarships, which reduce tuition fees considerably. In addition, flexible payment plans,Ìýmake studying through Unicaf very affordable. Monthly intakes allow students to enrol when they are ready; and studying in modules improves comprehension of the taught material.

In fact, the unique proposition of Unicaf is ideal for everyone who wishes to advance professionally, without giving up their job and salary. The future is online and the sooner we embrace it the more successful we can be.

Universities are facing diverse social and economic challenges: reduced government funding, higher costs to maintain facilities, strikes by students or staff and now the coronavirus pandemic. Such challenges cause disruptions and affect the efficient operation of universities. As a result, higher education institutions search for alternatives to traditional on-campus teaching, to overcome these difficulties. And the best alternative by far is online delivery.

The advantages of online learning

It is a fact that, through technology, universities can increase their outreach and revenue by recruiting students from around the world. In the era of smartphones and Internet on the go almost every school leaver or professional can access online learning. They can study from home, in their own free time, without neglecting work commitments. Also, students can ‘earn as they learn’, using their salaries to fund their studies and provide for their families. They can earn UK, European or American qualifications, highly coveted by employers, without travelling abroad.

Qualifications from internationally recognised universities help graduates in Africa, the Middle East or Asia get better jobs, and advance in their careers. At the same time, studying online with tutors and students from different countries exposes them to the procedures and culture of the multinational workplace.Ìý

As higher education providers turn to new countries to recruit students online, they need to overcome another challenge. The high cost of establishing and maintaining a digital platform to facilitate online delivery of programmes. Universities must keep their operation profitable to be viable, and most are in no position to invest millions to have their own digital infrastructure. Ìý

Unicaf is the answer

Unicaf, a global higher education organisation, offers a tried and tested solution since 2012. It partners with established universities in the UK, the USA and Africa to facilitate the online delivery of their programmes. Unicaf has professional know-how and state-of-the-art technology to facilitate online delivery of courses globally. In addition, without the cost of maintaining facilities or employing administrators to run a campus, Unicaf can offer partner programmes at reduced prices. Thus, programmes are more accessible, more flexible and more affordable.

Unicaf has years of experience in marketing partner universities’ programmes and recruiting thousands of online students. Partner universities supervise programme content, following strict codes of Quality Assurance, and award the degrees. The Unicaf digital platform provides everything a student needs from registration to graduation, including the Virtual Learning Environment. The VLE connects students and tutors, offers access to e-libraries and networking forums, facilitates programme delivery.

In fact, Unicaf’s user-friendly platform and modern teaching tools like videos, quizzes, podcasts, polls and group projects help students learn faster and retain for longer. Students receive individual attention from tutors, according to how fast they can process the material. They submit assignments, receive graded work and even take their exams through the VLE. They strike friendships and make professional contacts in different countries. After completing their studies online, they can even participate in the official graduation ceremony at the partner’s campus.

Making university programmes available to millions

Thus, Unicaf can provide universities with the necessary technological infrastructure to make their programmes available to millions, via online delivery. Providing an online delivery option is of growing importance for universities in the west, looking to increase revenues and ensure uninterrupted delivery of programmes, especially in challenging times. Unicaf is the answer to these pressing difficulties faced by many universities today.

As the numbers of covid19 cases grow in Africa, governments will take more measures. The rapidly spreading virus must be stopped. Bans on foreign travel and restrictions in movement are already in place in many countries. Furthermore, citizens may be asked to stay in their homes and avoid physical contact with others. Even walking in the park you are asked to keep a distance of two metres from others.

Can technology help?

Certainly, technology offers an escape from the social isolation enforced to contain the pandemic. First of all, you can use web banking to pay utilities and for other transactions. Furthermore, you can pay online for the delivery of food, medications, and groceries. While for entertainment you can watch films, documentaries, comedies. Finally, if you use your time more creatively you can have a new qualification by the end of the quarantine. That’s right, through Unicaf you can enrol for a professional course with the University of California in the USA. In just 4 weeks you can earn a certificate from an American university.

Through online study, without setting foot on a campus or lecture room. Unicaf’s Virtual Learning EnvironmentÌýprovides everything you will need from enrollment to completion of your course. Therefore, if you have to stay home, don’t sleep all day, or waste your time following what everyone else is doing on social media. Use your time to learn new skills and improve your career prospects. Technology makes this possible and easy. Check out Unicaf.

The threat to universities from the coronavirus pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic forces countries to take strict measures. Universities fear on campus outbreaks. Such outbreaks could create problems with academic procedures. However, there is a very viable alternative to disruptions which threaten universities with closures. The alternative is online learning. Online learning is invincible by diseases, extreme weather phenomena, or social unrest. Therefore, the development of the Internet and technological advances have turned online learning into the new big player in education.

It is flexible, affordable and accessible to almost everyone. Sick students can continue with their studies, new mothers can study while on maternity leave, working professionals can earn higher degrees. Specifically, should the majority be quarantined to contain the spread of the virus, online learning can be a useful distraction; a way to use quarantine time creatively; an opportunity to learn or research interesting things that we never have time to explore; or a way too earn a new qualification to improve your career prospects.

Online learning with Unicaf

Digital platforms, like Unicaf, provide everything a student needs from enrollment to graduation. They provide access to e-libraries and forums to interact with students and tutors in many countries; also, they use modern tools that make learning fun, (videos, quizzes and group projects). Above all, with online learning students can complete modules, submit assignments, take exams and graduate, without setting foot on campus. In addition, Unicaf online graduates receive exactly the same degrees as on campus fellow students. Unicaf is the exclusive online delivery partner of internationally recognised institutions; its partners include the University of Suffolk and Liverpool John Moores University in the UK, the University of California, Riverside Extension in the USA and multi-campusÌýUnicaf University in Africa.