Blind students ably joining in NUOL studies

Blind students are currently joining other classmates to pursue studies at various faculties of the National University of Laos (NUOL) following the provision of suitable educational equipment.
A total of 25 visually impaired students are enrolled at the Faculty of Letters, Economics and Business Management, Sports Science and Physical Education, Education and Laws and Political Sciences with 16 choosing the Faculty of Letters.

NUOL is supporting blind students with free study at each faculty and providing accommodation during their studies.
The International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) is providing financial assistance as part of efforts to develop Lao blind students’ education from 2015-2019.     
The NUOL now has a dedicated library for blind students within the Faculty of Letters, but more braille computers and textbooks are needed along with suitably trained lecturers and support staff to assist the students.
Nevertheless, blind students are adeptly adjusting to the situation to pursue their studies. 
To help address these issues, the Faculty of Letters is holding a two-day course for lecturers, which concludes today, to train them on the requirements for teaching blind students.
The training course covers instructions on using braille educational equipment and materials, methods of producing printed braille texts, and expanding knowledge and understanding about the particular needs of visually impaired students amongst the NUOL faculty.
NUOL Academic Affairs Office Director, Assoc Professor Dr Khamphong Nammavongmixay and Representative of Tetchan-Net Training Centre and volunteer of Inclusive Education Resource Centre of NUOL, Mr Tetsuo Yoshida are attending the training course.  
Dr Khamphong said the course is a major step in developing the quality of education at NUOL while giving lecturers the knowledge and skills to teach blind students.
The aim is for lecturers to develop and produce new braille textbooks and other educational material to be used in teaching.
The ICEVI also plans to provide assistance and help blind students to find employment after they graduate from bachelor level at the NUOL.    
While many provinces have disabled education centres to assist with study in vocational subjects, the system does not have any courses at bachelor level.
The NUOL is keen to expand its student support system to help those from other disabled groups.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
(Latest Update September 26, 2019)