Provision Of Information Services For Distance Learners In Developing Countries: A Case Of The Open University Of Tanzania

Abstract

The success of distance education depends on effective provision of information to students and lecturers. With the prevailing economic circumstances in developing countries quite a number of distance education institutions and programmes are more likely to be developed. The Open University of Tanzania (OUT) which was established in 1993 is one such programme. It started off with only a few educational and information resources and facilities but now provides university education to many who could not afford to join full-time campus based universities. Based on case study approach that is characterised by interviews and documentary sources, this work examines some of the information provision practices and experiences of the university that can be emulated by other distance education institutions and programmes in the developing world. Specifically the study examines the feasibility of establishing the university, availability of study materials, provision of study centres, and utilization of nation-wide information resources, forging links with other institutions, provision of ICT-based resources and facilities, equity and gender issues.University of Dar Es Salaam Library Journal Vol. 9 (1) 2007: pp. 16-30