UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM DEPUTY VICE CHANCELLOR (ACADEMIC) Tel.: 022 2410500 Ext. 2002 Fax: 0222 410 078 022 2410077 (Direct) S dv ds lz P.O, BOX 35091 Gh. DAR ES SALAAM-TANZANIA Our Ref: 214B/1.26 Date: 24 April, 2020 Dr. Joel Mtebe - Director, Centre for Virtual Learning Chairperson Dr. Mussa M. Kissaka - Principal, COICT Member Dr. Abdulla Ally - Ag. Director, UCC Member Dr. David Koloseni - Deputy Director, DPGS. Member Dr. Joan Munisi - Deputy Director, DUS Member Dr. Chartes Tarimo - Systems Administrator Member Dr. Christina Raphael - Senior Lecturer, DUCE Member RE: APPOINTMENT TO THE TASK FORCE ON ROLLOUT OF ONLINE TEACHING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM 1. BACKGROUND Since its establishment in 1961, the University of Dar es Salaam has been using the face-to-face classes as the primary method for teaching and learning processes. In 1998, the University introduced Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS) as its first eLearning system. In 2008, this system was replaced with the Moodle system (https://ms.udsm.ac.tz/login/index. php). The Moodle system allows students to view lectures, download course materials, take quizzes, and submit assignments online. The system also has tools such as discussion forums, emails, wiki, etc. which can be used by academics to facilitate teaching and learning online. As of 2020, the system had a total of 671 courses uploaded into the system with a total of 493 academic staff using the system. These figures are small, relative to the number of courses and academic members of staff of the University. The low uptake is due to the fact that hitherto, the use of the Moodle system has not been mandatory.The outbreak of COVID-19 across the globe and necessary national measures taken to tackle the spread of the virus have caused significant disruption to the provision of education, training and mobility opportunities for learners, teachers and educators across the world. In Particular, the outbreak has forced colleges and universities worldwide, including those in Tanzania, to close temporarily and/or cancel all face-to-face classes, including labs and other teaching and learning activities in order to prevent the spread of the Virus. In this respect, colleges and universities have been faced with the challenge on how to continue teaching and learning while keeping their staff, and students safe. In many countries, governments have mandated colleges and universities to move their courses in technology enhanced mode in order to exercise social distancing so as to help prevent the spread of the virus. In Africa, for instance, the University of Cape Town, Makerere University, Rhodes University, and the University of Nairobi have recently moved their courses into technology enhanced teaching as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to top public health experts, the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to subsist for several months to come and its impact is likely to be felt for even much longer. In the same vein, the same experts advise that the measures taken to limit the spread of the disease, in particular social distancing, are going to be required to remain in place until, at least, a vaccine and/or cure of COVID-19 is found. In view of this, the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has decided to take the necessary steps to continue teaching and learning activities while keeping its staff and students safe, and in this regard, to ensure that all its courses can be delivered on-line with effect from the start of the academic year 2020/2021. Although the timing of this move has been influenced by the coronavirus Pandemic, the move by the University towards greater use of technology in its teaching and learning processes was already envisioned in the University of Dar es Salaam vision 2061 and the University of Dar es Salaam Five Year Strategic Rolling Plan (FYSRP) 2020/21- 2024/25. The two instruments set enhancing undergraduate and postgraduate studies as one of the key objectives of the University, The latter document identifies one of the delivery strategies and incentives as “On-line resources (textbooks, scientific Papers; software tools and other resources) strengthened by June, 2023” (See UDSM FYSRP 2020/2021-2024/2025 para 4.4.3),2. APPOINTMENT TO THE TASK FORCE Against this background, I am Pleased to appoint you to the Task Force which the University has formed to lead the Process of rolling out the mandatory and University-wide on-line teaching and learning system. 3. GENERAL TASKS The Task Force will propose, and oversee the implementation of, the measures that need to be taken by the University of Dar es Salaam to enabie all its courses to be capable of being delivered on online by the start of the 2020/2021 academic year. 4. TERMS OF REFERENCE The activities to be performed by the Task Force shall include, but not be limited to, the following: a) Assess existing ICT infrastructure and software applications that can be used to implement an all-university on-line teaching and learning system (OTLS) b) Identify additional ICT infrastructure and software applications both short-term and long-term in order for the entire University to adopt OTLS C) Propose short-term and long-term skills requirements for both academic and technical staff for a University-wide OTLS. d) Propose short-term and long-term skills requirements and facilities required by students to be able to access and use the OTLS. e) Propose the required support services and reporting structure of the technical staff for OTLS. f) Propose quality assurance mechanisms and structure that the UDSM should adopt for OTLS g) Propose possible systems, programmes and designs that can be adopted by UDSM when implementing OTLS h) Propose policies and guidelines that need to be adopted to ensure that all academic units and staff at UDSM use ICT in enhancing teaching and learning processes. i) Prepare the Action Plan for ensuring that all academic programmes of the UDSM can be delivered on line by the start of the 2020/2021 academic year. J) Develop budget for the implementation of the Action Plan. k) Oversee the implementation of the Action Plan.5. FACILITATION AND REPORTING During the execution of this assignment, the Team shall be facilitated by, and report to, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic. 6, TIMELINE This task shall be carried out from 1° May to 30" September 2020. a Rutinwa DEPUTY VICE CHANCELLOR - ACADEMIC (Ces cc. ce, cc, Vice Chancellor Deputy Vice Chancellor - Administration Deputy Vice Chancellor - Research Chief Corporate Counsel and Secretary to Council