The Distance Education Project at the University of Dschang, Cameroon: Challenges And Opportunities

Abstract

PCF1 // The Distance Education project at the University of Dschang was started in l991 against a backdrop of restricted access to higher education in agriculture in Cameroon. The University of Dschang is the only institution of higher learning offering tertiary agricultural education at or above the Bachelor’s level. // The Agricultural Programme at the University of Dschang is for five years. It is open to holders of the GCE Advanced level and Baccalaureate in the sciences (12-14 years of formal elementary and secondary school education). Admission was, and still is by an entrance examination. // This situation limits access to agricultural education and creates a scarcity of trained human resources in the agricultural sector. At the time the project was designed, students paid no fees. On the contrary, government largesse paid students substantial stipends for their keep. Students also benefited from several privileges (e.g. free transit bus services between the campuses, heavily subsidized meals and single room student housing). These privileges were enjoyed by students attending the so-called Grandes Ecoles (Professional Schools) in Cameroon. // Funds for the project came from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the government of Cameroon. The University of Guelph collaborated jointly with the University of Dschang in implementing the project. //