Zuhur Yasin has never been to the US, but she holds a bachelor's degree from an American university. Part of Yasin's studies in Somaliland were spent in a special classroom, lined with rows of computers equipped with webcams and microphones. The 29-year-old watched videos and took part in live virtual  classes at Indiana University as part of her journalism programme at the University of Hargeisa."We had discussions and shared any challenges or questions," she says. The African Virtual University(AVU), an intergovernmental organization, connected Yasin with Indiana University. The AVU says it has used virtual learning to train 43, 000 students since its creation in 1997. Professors use programmes and apps including Skype and WhatsApp to communicate with students, but classes are taught using special software. The AVU is considering plans to make lectures accessible on mobile phones. Like Yasin, many students in sub-Saharan Africa are looking for opportunities to attend university. In 2008, the region had the lowest university attendance in the world, with just 6% of secondary school-leavers advancing to higher education, according to the UN's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. In May, the African Union(AU) opened the e-Learning Africa Conference on ICT for development, education and training at its headquarters in Addis Ababa. Rebecca Stromeyer, the founder of e-Learning Africa, says, "Now it is the time when technology can really help to protect the progress many African countries have made in education. If the right decisions are made now, they will help to achieve long-term economic growth." Experts say online learning tools can connect African students to massive open online courses (Mooc,) such as Coursera, an education platform that provides free virtual education from some of the world's top universities. How did Yasin obtain a bachelor's degree from an American University?
By teaching herself at home. By employing a famous coach from America. By virtual learning provided by the AVU. By her further education at the University of Hargeisa.