Open University launches SADC Masters programmes

Professor Tolly Mbwette, OUT Vice Chancellor


The Open University of Tanzania (OUT) has launched the first SADC Masters in Education studies programme at the Kinondoni SADC Centre and appealed to students from the region to seize the opportunity.

This week the centre begun ten days of orientation for new students, flagged off by the OUT Vice Chancellor, Professor Tolly Mbwette. He noted that the first batch of students is drawn from across the SADC Member States sponsored by the African Development Bank through the SADC ODL Capacity Building Project.

"I wish to salute the sponsors and extend my sincere appreciation on behalf of the SADC Member States for the timely contribution to the regional effort to expand further access to education through Open Distance Learning (ODL)," he said.

He explained that the programme will run for twelve months and turn the students into ODL experts who will subsequently champion the region's development and relations.

"We believe the Faculty of Education at OUT has set the pace for SADC member states to send more students to pursue the programme and are eager for other institutions in the region to start other programmes for the benefit of the region," noted the OUT Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor Honoratha Mushi.

Previously, persons seeking the Masters degree in ODL have had to register with Indira Gandhi National Open University but now they can do so at OUT chosen by SADC Secretariat through a competitive bidding to host the programme on behalf of SADC Member States.

The first intake of participants drawn from SADC member countries who have reported will be taken through course requirements, content, access to online learning resources and project formulation as well as execution.



SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN