GreenSprings Digital University Institute (GSDU) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UNESCO Chair for Strategic and Institutional Partnership for Youth and Women’s Access to ICT in Central Africa (ACCES-TIC), led by Armand Claude Abanda. This historic agreement marks a pivotal step in advancing digital education and empowerment across the region.
The MoU was signed on the school campus on Thursday, 18 September. Senator Emilia Nkeze, Board Chair of GreenSprings Digital University (GSDU), signed on behalf of the institution, while Armand Claude Abanda signed for UNESCO ACCES-TIC.
According to Senator Nkeze, the MoU heralds the start of a promising journey in collaboration, innovation, and academic excellence. She highlighted new opportunities such as joint research initiatives, student exchanges, and the development of training programmes, workshops, and conferences that will bolster both institutions.
“It is a shared commitment to advance knowledge, foster digital education, and shape the future of education in Cameroon, Africa, and beyond,” Nkeze said.
In her view, the partnership will drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer by bridging academia and industry. She emphasised that the MoU with the UNESCO Chair, focused on access to ICTs for women and youth, will propel GreenSprings Digital University Institute to the forefront of digitalisation, positioning it as a central hub for promoting digital literacy.
Nkeze expressed optimism that GSDU will emerge as another Institut Africain d’Informatique (IAI) Centre, joining the 40 already operating in the country. During the event, she announced that the school is offering 100% scholarships to female students.
UNESCO ACCES-TIC Central Africa Leader Joins Forces
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Armand Claude Abanda, UNESCO Chair for Strategic and Institutional Partnership for Youth and Women’s Access to ICT in Central Africa, underscored the essential role of digital knowledge in the growth of every field of study.
Through this agreement, he noted, his team is extending the UNESCO label—and by extension, the United Nations—to the institution, along with technical partners such as the African Institute of Computer Sciences (IAI).
Abanda highlighted the critical importance of digital tools in empowering women and youth to create value and wealth. After touring the Tech Lab at GreenSprings Digital University, he observed that the institution’s current capabilities represent a significant asset for promoting ICT knowledge across various disciplines.
With advanced facilities including robotics and drones for studies, the UNESCO Chair believes the partnership will create a powerful synergy of potentials between the two institutions.
GreenSprings Digital University is led by esteemed Cameroonian scholars: Prof Laurent Charles Boyomo as Vice Chancellor and Prof Victor Julius Ngoh as Registrar.
GSDU Injecting Fresh Vitality into Higher Education
The Vice Chancellor revealed that the institution’s vision is to breathe new life into higher technical and professional education in Cameroon. He explained that GreenSprings Digital University is challenging traditional norms by introducing studies in areas that will profoundly impact development, employment, emancipation, and empowerment—particularly for young women and girls.
To realise this, Prof Boyomo outlined a blended learning model: one-third on-site, one-third online, and one-third in the field to evaluate students’ competencies.
He added that the MoU will enable GSDU to leverage UNESCO’s expertise in advancing digital literacy for women and youth. The institutional support from the UNESCO Chair, he said, will unlock additional opportunities for their students.
About GSDU
GreenSprings Digital University Institute is located in Awae, Yaoundé. It currently operates three major faculties: the Faculty of Science and Technology, the Faculty of Management Sciences, and the Faculty of Agriculture.
The school operates under the academic supervision of the University of Bamenda. Its vision is to become an Ivy League institution recognised across Africa, empowering students with practical skills that drive wealth creation through strategic partnerships and community development.
