Prof. Chemo Omar Barry, the Vice-Chancellor of the International Open University (IOU) in Kanifing, The Gambia, has expressed deep concern regarding the escalating trend of students leaving their home countries to pursue education abroad.

During a virtual monthly discourse held on Monday, June 26, 2023, titled "How Online Education Can Change the Narratives in Access to Quality and Affordable Higher Education in Sub-Saharan Africa," Barry delivered a paper and raised the alarm on this issue.

Barry emphasized that the movement of students from one location to another has become increasingly challenging, often driven by economic or educational necessities. He highlighted the adverse consequences of rural-urban migration, which depletes the rural population of its best talents, leading to impoverishment, reduced size, and underdevelopment of these areas. Moreover, he pointed out that subregional migration draws away the most talented individuals to more attractive nations, while intercontinental migration results in brain drain, creates perilous migration routes that endanger countless youths, and hinders the return of knowledge seekers to their home countries due to limited incentives and persistent poverty.

Addressing the challenges faced in this context, the Vice-Chancellor identified several obstacles, including limited internet penetration, inadequate technological infrastructure, insufficient digital skills, and difficulties in student retention.

Prof. Olufemi Peters, the Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), warmly welcomed Prof. Barry to the lecture series and commended him for delivering an insightful presentation based on his wealth of knowledge. He expressed optimism about fostering ongoing collaboration between the two universities.

Representing the Director of the Regional Training and Research Institute for Distance and Open Learning (RETRIDOL), Prof. Christine Ofulue, Prof. Grace Jokthan, the Director of the African Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL), also praised the presenter for his well-researched contribution to the discourse.