Developing Technological Skills through Computer Science Programme at Bangladesh Open University

Abstract

Skilled manpower plays a key role in all sectors of the economy. Computers are being widely used in our daily life. Moreover applications of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are making rapid strides in every conceivable field of our life. Bangladesh is a populated country and it needs to be skilled manpower to develop the country. To produce skilled manpower Diploma in Computer Science and Application (DCSA) Program launched at Bangladesh Open University (BOU) in 1998 aspiring flexible learning opportunities through Open and Distance Learning (ODL). Important objectives of this program are to upgrade the technical skills, to spread latest technologies related to the field of ICTs, to produce expert IT professionals to meet the recent increasing demand in computer field which also covers Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to build up the personal effectiveness and professional skills of a learner. DCSA programme has been successfully run in Bangladesh and every year a significant number of students added in the field of job market and perform their skills. The study has been initiated to know the effectiveness of this programme whether the students can explore their job opportunities, to find out the present status of DCSA program, to what extent is student dropout due to intrinsic factors such as financial constraints, sickness, professional/academic conflict etc or due to extrinsic factors such as study materials, educational approach, tutor influence etc and success rates of learners. The findings reveal that university needs to reassess its strategies for improving current instructional and academic effort for improving learner support to uphold the quality of distance education at BOU. // Paper ID: 110