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Ruvuma residents raise 15m/- for OUT centre
2008-03-24 10:21:21
By Correspondent Michael Haonga
Jubilant Ruvuma Region residents have opened a new chapter in the history of the Open University of Tanzania (OUT) by donating over 15m/- instantly during an inauguration function of the varsity`s regional centre building in the region last week.
Commenting on the exemplary contribution event initiated shortly after the Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Professor Jumanne Maghembe, inaugurated the regional centre building in Songea town, the OUT Vice Chancellor, Professor Tolly Mbwette, said it was a historical event in the university`s history of opening distance learning centres in the country.
The raised amount would be used to buy a vehicle for the centre`s directorate to ease transport problems thereby operating more efficiently, it was specified.
The residents` fund-raising initiative attracted extrovert concern from the minister himself through his office as well as other participants at the event including, the OUT Vice Chancellor, employees and invited delegates who also contributed generously through cash and pledges so that the centre could operate more efficiently.
Earlier in his inauguration speech of the centre, Prof Maghembe commended OUT for bringing distance learning university education right into the districts in a modern and affordable means under which even donors have joined hands to avail computers and other facilities.
In the case of Songea it was revealed that some 10 modern computers would be availed to the centre later for use by OUT students in their academic pursuance endevaours.
Maghembe challenged the academic staff to be eloquent and professionally sound in giving education to students in a simplified and communicable way so that students like all syllabus subjects.
He further challenged them to do away with complications that, for instance, contributed to making some students avoid studying science or maths subjects due to fear created that they were difficult subjects.
He also called upon people to take advantage of OUT initiative in availing education to students within their reach and at affordable cost and time limit for one to graduate depending on completion of the pursued degree syllabus.
In his remarks Prof Mbwette said OUT had embarked on a short programme within which to finish rennovation of other OUT centres in Dodoma, Mpanda, and Njombe.
He also disclosed that OUT was also entering into wider cooperation beyond the East Africa region and that the presently Kinondoni, Dar-based OUT would be a member of African Continent Universities Cooperation scheduled to be formed in July this year in Nigeria.
OUT established in 1992 now has almost 40,000 registered students, an East African outlook in its distance learning coverage to countries such as Kenya and Uganda and has already put up some of 25 centres countrywide.
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