Opening pathways from West Africa to international education.
The Oolu Foundation is a non-profit initiative operating through a Dutch foundation and a partner foundation in The Gambia. It develops structured pathways for students in West Africa to access international higher education.
Its programmes are delivered locally and designed in alignment with international academic standards.
What we do
Oolu provides a structured pathway that supports students in progressing from secondary education to international higher education.
This pathway consists of two interconnected programmes.
OICLP – Oolu International Career Launch Pad
OIAP – Oolu International Academic Pathway
Partnerships
Oolu works with universities and institutional partners to ensure that its programmes are relevant, recognised, and connected to further study opportunities.
Why Oolu
Each year, students complete secondary education with the intention to continue their studies. However, access to international higher education is not always straightforward.
Differences between local qualifications and international admission requirements can limit progression.
Access to structured career guidance is often limited.
Alternative pathways may require early relocation or significant financial resources.
As a result, capable students may not have a clear or accessible route to continue their education.
Oolu was established to address this gap by providing a structured and locally accessible pathway that prepares students for international study.
Our programmes
The Oolu programmes are designed to support students at different stages of their decision-making and preparation.
OICLP supports students in exploring their academic interests and understanding available pathways. It provides a foundation for informed decision-making.
OIAP supports students who intend to pursue international higher education by providing the academic preparation required for admission and transition.
Participation in OICLP does not require progression into OIAP. The programmes are designed to support a range of student pathways.
Together, they form a coherent system that combines guidance with preparation.
How we work
Oolu combines local delivery with international alignment.
Programmes are delivered in The Gambia, allowing students to access support within a familiar environment. At the same time, programme design is informed by international higher education standards and expectations.
Oolu operates through two connected entities:
- A Dutch foundation responsible for governance, partnerships, and international relations
- A Gambian foundation responsible for programme implementation and local operations
This structure ensures both institutional oversight and strong local grounding.
Approach and reliability
Oolu is developed with an emphasis on clarity, structure, and continuity.
Students and families are able to engage with the programmes directly, in a defined and professional learning environment. Programme content, expectations, and outcomes are communicated clearly.
Partnerships are established with recognised institutions, and governance is anchored within a formal non-profit structure across both the Netherlands and The Gambia.
The intention is to build a model that is stable, transparent, and sustainable over time.
Partners
Oolu works with a range of partners to support programme development and delivery.
These include:
- Universities
- Donors and philanthropic partners
- Educational and non-profit organisations
Partnerships are an essential component in ensuring that the programmes remain relevant, accessible, and connected to further opportunities.
Get involved
For further information about the Oolu Foundation and its programmes, or to explore opportunities for collaboration, please get in touch.
info@oolu.org
Photos: © Nelleke Launspach