We are celebrating the first anniversary of the Online Learning on African Archaeology and Heritage (ONLAAH) MOOC, and what a year it’s been! Launched in May 2023 on the UAB-Coursera platform, our ‘Archaeology and Heritage of Africa’ course has already engaged over 1,600 students worldwide.

There are some key achievements I would like to share with you:

  1. Global Reach: We’ve attracted students from across the globe, with particularly strong engagement from African learners.
  2. Diverse Content: Our comprehensive curriculum, developed by 30 expert teachers, covers everything from archaeological methods to heritage management.
  3. Innovative Partnerships: As part of the DAI edo|cation project in Nigeria, our MOOC has been integrated into a collaboration with the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), bridging online learning with real-world archaeological practice through their flagship project ‘Unearth: Discovering Archaeology Together’.
  4. Different presentations during the year, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Zaria University, in Nigeria, Benin City, also in Nigeria, and Gotha and Cologne, both in Germany, together with some future publications will bring the MOOC into an even larger public.
In Benin City, Nigeria, at the Futures of Archaeology Seminar, presenting the ONLAAH MOOC under the DAI edo|cation project. edo|cation is providing training and developing research on the Benin City Moats, in partnership with MOWAA- The Museum of West African Art.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate this milestone, we are excited about the future of the ONLAAH project and its MOOC. We are committed to continuously improving the course content, incorporating the more research and technological advancements in the field. We also plan to introduce new modules and themes to enhance the learning experience further.

Our mission remains steadfast: to educate, inspire, and empower individuals to appreciate and preserve Africa’s rich archaeological and cultural heritage. We thank our students, instructors, and partners for their unwavering support and dedication. Here’s to another year of discovery, learning, and growth!

Happy Anniversary, ONLAAH MOOC!