Potentiality, Challenges and Prospects of Mixed Mode of Delivery of Higher Education in Tanzania: The Case of the Open University of Tanzania and the University of Dar Es Salaam
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61538/jipe.v4i2.229Abstract
In the 21st century trends in the delivery of higher education indicate transitions towards a mixed mode. Conventional institutions are increasingly employing open and distance learning (ODL) methodologies; while ODL institutions are acquiring more conventional characteristics. This paper analyses the potentiality, challenges and prospects of mixed mode of delivery of higher education in Tanzania. The paper is based on a recent research entitled: „Challenges and Prospects of Transitions towards Mixed Mode of Delivery of Higher Education: The Case of The Open University of Tanzania (OUT) and the University of Dar Es Salaam (UDSM). Eclectic methodology was employed to collect and analyse data from 100 purposively selected respondents from the OUT and UDSM. The findings obtained through interviews, questionnaires, and document review indicated that increasing demands for higher education, developments in ICT, dwindling funding and changing characteristics of students are some of the forces behind the transitions. The benefits include: expanding access to a variety of students; generating more funds, better utilization of resources and competitiveness. The challenges included: mandates; less expertise in ODL; limited (or lack of) infrastructure, administration and management and ICT related challenges. Enhancing collaboration and partnership; sharing experiences, collaborative research; capacity building in requisite expertise and review of mandates are some of the recommended strategies to harness the mixed mode for the betterment of delivery of higher education in TanzaniaReferences
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