THE MAK'ED TEAM implemented the Moodle learning management system at the École de Maintien de la Paix (Peacekeeping School) and conducted train-the-trainer qualification for online teaching. This established a vital foundation for successful online learning.
Since its inception, THE MAK'ED TEAM has maintained a strong international focus and is certified by iMove, an initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for the internationalization of German education and training services.
A core competency of THE MAK'ED TEAM lies in the establishment, development, and management of training and educational academies to foster local expertise. This is why we were selected for the project at the West African educational institution "École de Maintien de la Paix" (EMP-ABB), which spanned from November 2020 to September 2021, including planning and startup phases.
An educational institution for peace
Located in the Malian capital of Bamako, the academy has a clear goal: to promote peace across the entire continent. To achieve this, it strengthens the country's human resources to support African peace operations and foster a culture of peace. The institution is an international center of excellence for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). More than 32,000 participants have already received training here, including peace activists, students, journalists, and representatives from associations, NGOs, the police, and the military.
Enabling distance learning: Integrating online teaching into everyday life
With the COVID-19 crisis, the institution's focus shifted increasingly toward distance learning. However, there were insufficient local capacities and competencies for this. The project therefore had two goals: first, to support the administrators and the webmaster in effectively establishing the Moodle learning management system in conjunction with Zoom for online video sessions. Second, to support the permanent teaching staff in designing modules and courses for distance learning to create engaging content. The project was conducted in French.
Teachers should support changes from the very beginning
Initially, an existing legacy learning platform was replaced by the new system. Alongside the establishment of technical frameworks, the instructors were the focus from the very beginning. The goal was to introduce them to virtual teaching and learning—regarding both technical possibilities and approaches, as well as the motivation and support of learners. They needed to develop a fundamental understanding of the differences between in-person and online courses, as this is the only way they can effectively bring the new digital learning offerings to life for students, develop webinars or hybrid seminars with virtual components from their own practice, and support these changes from the start.
Technical requirements and content expectations
THE MAK'ED TEAM has extensive experience in developing and implementing qualification programs. As with almost every international project, there were unique challenges. Ann-Katrin Hardenberg, Managing Partner at THE MAK'ED TEAM and project lead, notes: "On the technical side, there are local issues with network infrastructure, and internet access is not consistently guaranteed. There is very little one can do about that. This is particularly difficult when you have to manage such a project entirely from Germany, as was the case here. However, we were able to significantly improve the technical framework in other respects: during the project, we trained an administrator who can competently manage and further develop the Moodle system on-site. With him and other colleagues, the teachers now have a team to provide technical support."
The educational institution and its management supported and drove the project with great commitment. Ultimately, the project initiated a "change in the culture of teaching" and organizational development that can be used for an increasing number of courses in the future with a mature, practical learning management system. An important foundation for sustainable, successful education and training at the institution.
To the detailed report by iMOVE: Train-the-Trainer Program for Mali
You can also find the project example for our project in Mali here.
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