Nairobi — The University of South Africa (UNISA) will offer distance learning to both lecturers and students in Kenya 's learning institutions.

Students will only be required to pay 3,000 US dollars (Sh 228,000) for a full course.

UNISA Director of Africa Nicholas Bwakira says, the students, apart from accessing the internet for information and learning material will be offered study guides, tutorial letters and audio cassettes.

"This form of learning will meet the needs of those unable to access the traditional method of education, " said Bwakira.

UNISA has already signed an agreement with Kenya College of Accountancy, Egerton and Maseno Universities. He added that UNISA is vigorously seeking to extend its programmes throughout Africa.

Anyone can register through the internet, post or one of the UNISA institutions.

The Vice chancellor Prof Barney Pityana described the system as affordable, accessible, flexible and internationally recognised.

"Fees in UNISA is only a tenth of what one would pay in any university in Europe yet it is one of the best in the world," she said.

UNISA is the oldest and largest distance education university in the Southern hemisphere and thousands of students from all over the world, annually enrol to study at the institution from the comfort of their homes.