Kusini Kwetu

By Vincent Mpepo, OUT

The Vice Chancellor of the Open University of Tanzania, Professor Elifas Bisanda exchanging partnership agreements with Professor Egon Werlen of Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences during the MoU signing held today in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam (Photo by Vincent Mpepo).

The Open University of Tanzania and Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences have signed a five year Memorandum of Understanding which will help the two to collaborate in various academic activities for the betterment of two universities and countries at large.

Speaking during the official signing of the MoU between the two universities, the Vice Chancellor of the Open University of Tanzania, Professor Elifas Bisanda said the collaboration will involve a number of areas of agreement which involves students and lectures exchange, fellowships, scholarship and collaborative research.

He welcomed and thanked the Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences for having an interest to collaborate with the Open University of Tanzania and assured that his university will keep on cherishing the good things for the benefit of two universities.

Dean Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Dr.Dunlop Ochieng said the collaboration has been a very fruitful because it has brought a number of benefits for both universities.

“FASS is very grateful and proud for this collaboration that started with the faculty and has now extended to university wide”, said Dr.Ochieng.

He said his faculty is committed to encouraging faculty members to actively participate in future research stemming from the present study under the auspices of the OUT UNESCO Chair on curriculum development.

A researcher from the Open University of Tanzania, Dr.Christopher Awinia shared the findings of a research which was part and parcel of the collaboration between two universities where it has been found that technological challenges hamper learning and teaching environment in Tanzania.

He identified some of the challenges as stemming from internet cost and unreliable internet something which makes learning and teaching in Tanzania and most of African countries to face some difficulties hence legging behind in education.

Senior Education Officer from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, Dr. Evaristo Mtitu addressing the public during the signing ceremony between the Open University of Tanzania and Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences held today in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam (Photo by Vincent Mpepo).