Institute of Continuing Co-operative Education (ICCE)

The Department of Extension and Outreach (DEO) is among the two departments of the Institute of Continuing Co-operative Education (ICCE) responsible for coordinating the training, advisory services, consultancy and action-oriented research on socio-economic empowerment to cooperatives and other member-based organizations. DEO coordinates two units; one for Co-operative Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEIU) and another for Coordinating Coffee Quality and Trade Certificate Programme. It also coordinates provision of outreach services through 13 regional offices.

Welcome to the Department of Distance Education of the Moshi Co-operative University (MoCU). The history of the Department dates back to 1963, following the establishment of the Co-operative College Moshi. In July 1964, the Government of Tanzania, through the Co-operative Union of Tanganyika (CUT) in collaboration with the Nordic Co-operative Consortium, established the Co-operative Education Centre (CEC) to cater for co-operative education in the Tanzania mainland, divided into zones known as Wings, of the today’s MoCU regional offices. In 1965, the Centre started offering distance education to cooperative members, employed staff, and elected leaders through short seminars, radio study circles, and correspondence courses. In 1993, the Government integrated CEC into the Co-operative College Moshi structure. Since then the department has been carrying the same activities. The Department coordinate the University programmes offered through distance learning mode. The Department is subdivided into three units: (i) Radio Unit, (ii) Professional Financial Co-operative Management Programme (PFCMP), and (iii) Correspondence Courses.

Functions of the Department of Distance Education
The key functions of the Department include:

1. Coordinate distance learning programmes of the University
2. Identify training needs for distance learning programmes of the University;
3. Register students in various distance learning programmes of the University;
4. Identify the enrolment capacity of distance learning programmes of the University;
5. Liaise with other academic Department on the development of new courses and programmes at various levels based on the market demands;
6. Recommend the withdrawal of obsolete learning courses and programmes of the University;
7. Coordinate and ensure timely production of educative radio programmes;
8. Conduct audience research for radio educative programmes; and
   Maintain database of registered distance learning students and courses

The day-to-day management and supervision of Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOS) and microfinance institutions (MFIs) have been vested to managers and elected leaders with inadequate financial and leadership skills. The inadequacy of professionals in SACCOS significantly contributed to their stunted growth and failures. In this context, in 2006, with the technical assistance of Canadian Development International Desjardins (DID), MUCCoBS introduced Professional Financial Co-operative Management Programme (PFCMP) offered through distance learning mode. Distance learning mode is increasingly becoming attractive to many learners as it enables them to undertake studies while undertaking personal/employers’ responsibilities or home at their convenient time and place.

Upon registration, learners are provided with reading materials, a reference list and learners’ guidebook containing a timetable for submission of graded exercises, timed tests, research proposals and reports, practical assignments and writing final examinations. PFCMP has the potential to impart relevant knowledge and skills needed for the supervision and management of SACCOS and other MFIs. It provides hands-on skills required for the day-to-day operations and management of SACCOS and other MFIs. PFCMP commences in Mid-November of each academic year. The Department offers three programmes through the PFCMP unit. As an umbrella term, PFCMP provides the following programmes:

1. Foundation Certificate in Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies Management (FC – SACCOS). The programme has seven modules (7) offered in Swahili for 39 weeks charged Tshs. 765,00/= as tuition fee, subject to review from time to time. The minimum entry qualifications are Standard Seven leavers and above. Applicants should be conversant with the Swahili language as the medium of instruction.
2. Professional Certificate in Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies Management (PC – SACCOS). The minimum entry qualifications are from four leavers and above. The programme has eight modules (8) offered in English as a medium of instruction for 39 weeks. The programme’s tuition fees are TZS 765,00/= for Tanzanians and USD 600 for foreign applicants. The fee is subject to review from time to time.
3. Postgraduate Diploma in Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies Management (PGD – SACCOS). The programme has 18 modules taught for 18 months. English is the medium of instruction for this programme. The programme’s tuition fee is TZS 1,365,00/= for Tanzanians and USD 1,150 for foreign applicants. The fee is subject to review from time to time. The minimum entry qualifications are at least First Bachelor Degree or Advanced Diploma in a relevant field from a recognized institution.

In addition to programmes offered by cooperative financial institutions, the Department equips leadership and book-keeping skills to employed staff and elected leaders of cooperative societies in the country through correspondence courses. Correspondence programmes are short courses running for a minimum of three (3) months and a maximum of six (6) months. The Department offers three programmes through the Correspondence Unit:

1. Correspondence Programme in Book-keeping for Agricultural Marketing Co-operative Societies (AMCOS) [Programu ya Utunzaji wa Vitabu vya Hesabu za Vyama vya Ushirika wa Masoko ya Mazao ya Kilimo (PUVU)]. The programme has three (3) modules/courses offered in Swahili for three months for Tshs. 270,000/= and is subject to review from time to time.
2. Correspondence Programme in Cooperatives, Leadership and Management of Cooperatives Societies [Programu ya Ushirika, Uongozi, na Usimamizi wa Vyama vya Ushirika (PUU)]. The programme has three (3) modules/courses offered and is in Swahili for three months. The tuition fee is Tshs 270,000/= and is subject to review from time to time.
3. Correspondence Programme in Leadership and Operation of Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies [Programu ya Uongozi na Uendeshaji wa Vyama vya Ushirika vya Akiba na Mikopo (PUVAM)]. The programme has three (3) modules/courses and is offered in Swahili for three months for Tshs. 270,000/= and is subject to review from time to time.

The establishment of a radio unit came following the need to supplement print materials and enhance students’ learning. In 1967, CEC established radio broadcasts known as “Jifunze Ushirika” (let us learn cooperation) aired through Radio Tanzania for 30 minutes with a repeat session but ceased operating in 1998. Given the increase in operational costs, the College stopped airing radio broadcasts in 1998. Still, it was re-established in 2002 with a different title, “Tuimarishe Ushirika” (let us strengthen cooperation). Since then, TBC Taifa Radio has been airing the programme every Friday from 19.15 to 1930pm. The Unit caters for educative programmes to the public through radio and television programmes in the areas of co-operative, entrepreneurship, record keeping, book-keeping and accounts, financial analysis and management and governance among others. To achieve this, the Unit works closely with the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), community radios and television stations in Tanzania.