Benin/Inauguration of the Optical Correction Center in Benin: A new horizon for the Faculty of Health Sciences

On Wednesday June 18, 2025, the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC) celebrated the inauguration of its Centre de Correction par Lecture Optique (CCLO), marking an important milestone in Benin's education system. In the presence of eminent personalities such as Professor Éléonore YAYI LADEKAN, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Professor Benjamin HOUNKPATIN, Minister of Health, the Minister of Digital Affairs and Digitization, Madame Aurelie ADAM SOULE ZOUMAROU and the Minister of Social Affairs and Microfinance, Madame Véronique TOGNIFODÉ, this event testifies to Benin's commitment to academic excellence on a regional scale. The CCLO is an investment by WHO Benin of around 100,000 USD.

At the opening, the ministerial authorities visited a composition room, illustrating the importance of this new tool which, following its establishment in Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal, enables Benin to proudly position itself as the third French-speaking country in West Africa to benefit from this cutting-edge technology.Ivoire and Senegal, Benin is proud to be the third French-speaking country in West Africa to benefit from this cutting-edge technology. The symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the start-up of a system capable of correcting over 7,000 papers in an hour, revolutionizing the student assessment process.

With the constant increase in enrolment, the Faculty of Health Sciences has long suffered from the slowness of the traditional system, imposing a real obstacle course on teachers when it comes to correction. By offering automated correction of MCQs, the CCLO aims to reduce these delays and guarantee more accurate and objective assessment.

In his speech, Professor Josué D.G. AVAKOUDJO hailed this breakthrough as a "pedagogical revolution", while Dr Kouamè Jean KONAN from the WHO stressed the importance of impartial assessment for a healthy university environment.

Minister Benjamin HOUNKPATIN, for his part, highlighted the digitalization aspect, essential in the eyes of President Patrice TALON. "On one occasion, he asked us how papers were produced at the FSS, and what mechanism we use to ensure that papers are not substituted after they have been corrected," he recalled.

The inauguration was also an opportunity to hand over a batch of clinical simulation mannequins, thus reinforcing the training facilities for future health professionals.

Through this initiative, Benin is charting a course towards excellence and innovation in the education sector.

Source: www.gouv.bj/