The impact of training

   Monitoring the long-term impact of training

Virtual Learning Centers (VLCs) courses are created to be practical and orientated to solve real problems at the local level. Therefore, we expect that our learners have the ability to apply what they have learned in their day-to-day activities and share their new skills and knowledge with others. 

Most of the courses include an assessment to measure how well our trainees have improved their knowledge and skills. We also monitor longer-term impacts. Keeping in touch with VLCs users, our VLCs coordinators follow up with learners to see if they are able to put the skills they have learned during the course into practice. 

VLCs courses also aim to improve the way that the organizations who nominate trainees are able to function and, whenever possible, to provide opportunities that improve the professional careers of those participating in our courses.


African swine fever 

African swine fever (ASF) is a viral disease of domestic pigs and wild boar with a fatality rate of up to 100 percent, which leads to huge economic losses, trade disruptions and challenges to the livelihoods of smallholder pig keepers. This transboundary animal disease has been rapidly spreading, and has had a significant impact in the affected countries. In many cases these countries were not sufficiently prepared to fight against ASF.


VLC tailor-made approach

The objective of the ASF online courses was to:

·       Improve the capacity of veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals to recognize ASF.

·       Enable them to carry out an outbreak investigation in cases where ASF is suspected.

·       Enable them to explore available control measures.    

The VLC in Europe and Central Asia developed a course on ASF, which was then adapted by the VLCs in other regions by revising, translating modules and creating examples more suitable to the local context. These include:

√ The VLC in Asia and the Pacific has developed mobile-first modules for those who study using their smartphones in remote locations.

√ The VLC in Latin America and the Caribbean was able to quickly respond to the ASF emergency in the region, as outbreaks appeared in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, by offering the course in Spanish to multiple countries.

√ Following the ASF crises in Eastern Europe, the course has been translated into Russian.


Results and the ripple effect

There has been an overwhelming response to the call for nominated participants for the ASF course, with submissions coming from Chief Veterinary Officers and from independent applications in each region. 

√ 583 people were reached in Asia (33 countries)

√ 372 in the region of Southern Africa (15 countries)

√ 306 in Europe and Central Asia (12 countries) 

√ 320 in Latin America and the Caribbean (11 countries). 

The online discussion forum in the ASF course enabled colleagues and experts to network and share knowledge. Opportunities have arisen which have facilitated the cascading of training at country level and to develop specific courses for farmers and other stakeholders.

Last modified: Thursday, 26 May 2022, 8:14 AM