Hargeysa, Somaliland , November 26, 2005 (SL Times) – The World Bank and the UNDP have indicated interest in investing in distance education in Somaliland as well as in neighboring Somalia .

A team comprising Erik Johnson from the Washington-based World Bank Institute and Tom Munyasya of the UNDP arrived in Hargeysa on Wednesday to hold discussions with leaders of institutions involved in distance learning such as the University of Hargeysa which since January 2004 has introduced a 12-month Certificate in Journalism in partnership with the African Virtual University and the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

The programme offered five courses in journalism aimed at introducing participants to the role of a journalist and the mass media in today’s world.

Forty people received certificates in journalism and the programme was taught by Dr. Stanford G. Mukasa of the IUP.

The programme used a variety of modes of delivery including videotaped lectures, and web CT platform with its variety of email, online chat and lectures.

The courses proved to be successful that the University of Hargeysa has requested donors to assist in upgrading the programme content to a 3 year BA certificate in Journalism.

The UNDP has now accepted to assist, with the World Bank also showing interest in offering support to this distance education programme.

In the meanwhile professor Mukasa who accompanied the visiting UNDP-World Bank team, had met physically with his former and current students at the university of Hargeysa for the first time.