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About Us
Vision
To be an international centre of excellence in distance education access, delivery, practice, research and lifelong learning.
mIssION
To increase access to tertiary education by providing demand-driven educational and training opportunities to individuals (employed, self-employed, unemployed and school leavers) by offering them quality short and long-term credit and
non-credit courses using the distance
education delivery mode.
Values
IDE, is refocusing and restrategising its operations to ensure implementation of high quality distance education courses that are in line with DE key principles of accessibility, openness, self-directed learning, e-learning, relevance and responsiveness. Thus placing IDE at a competitive advantage in customer satisfaction and realisation of the goal of being an ODeL institute of choice in Eswatini and beyond the borders.
- Accessibility
- Openness
- Excellence
- Collaboration
- Self-directed learning
- Diversity of programmes
- E-learning
- Relevance
from the Director
Welcome to the Institute of Distance Education (IDE) at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA).
Our mandate at IDE is to take university education to the people. We are the most prominent Institute at the University of Eswatini regarding student enrollment. About one thousand five hundred students are registered for the various academic and professional programmes through the Open and Distance e-Learning (ODeL) mode. We offer high-quality educational and professional programmes through the ODeL delivery mode. The Institute prides itself on providing flexible, convenient, and cost-effective ways of studying for a university qualification. IDE offers programmes in the broad fields of Education, Humanities, Commerce, Law, Modern Languages, Nursing Science, Information Technology, Computer Science Education and Psychosocial Support. We have a diverse staff and student population. Currently, we have students in Botswana studying with us, and we are developing fully online programmes.
IDE works closely with collaborating departments within the UNESWA faculties, which aligns with the dual-mode system that the University follows. Most of our programmes are housed in full-time conventional departments. Academic staff members in the collaborating departments are responsible for designing the programmes, developing course materials and teaching the programmes offered through IDE. They are also involved in quality assurance of the programmes in line with the University’s set standards and procedures. IDE also offers programmes through stakeholders that are external to the University. We also offer short courses, and one popular short course is the Certificate in Online Teaching (COTE) for Educators (COTE). Many educators and training practitioners from the private and public sectors have participated in this course.
The Institute of Distance Education is located at the Kwaluseni main campus, and our current mode of delivery makes use of print or electronic modules, a limited number of face-to-face contact sessions and online teaching/learning through the Moodle Learning Management System (LMS). In line with the UNESWA Blended Learning Policy, we combine face-to-face teaching approaches with computerised electronic learning ones. To this end, vast course components should be offered electronically through the Moodle LMS by utilising synchronous and asynchronous communication and teaching. The Institute has established four digital learning centres so students can utilise computer and internet facilities closer to their homes. The centres are Ngwane Teacher Training College in Nhlangano, Mhlatane High School in Pigg’s Peak, Southern African Nazarene University (SANU) in Siteki and William Pitcher College in Manzini. The University and IDE are also engaged with service providers to increase internet bandwidth in the University and provide reduced data costs for students.
We hope that when you access our website, you will find useful information about IDE, the programmes on offer, delivery modes, and numerous other issues. You will also be able to connect with key role-players in ODeL at our Institute.
I appreciate your interest in the Institute of Distance Education.
PROF C. MAPHOSA
PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR – IDE
Our current newsletter has more interesting information.
Popular Programmes
These are programmes which get the most applications or have the most students compared to the other programmes offered in the Institute of Distance Education.
Certificate in Psychosocial Support
178 students graduated with this programme in 2017/18 academic year. Preference will be given to applicants who are working with children and youth and have a letter of recommendation from an employer or designated/ recognized authority.
Post Graduate Certificate in Education
This programme if for graduates who are interested in teaching at secondary school level. We also assist student teachers understand and respect the teaching profession in Eswatini’s educational context as they acquire a broad range of pedagogical and other relevant skills to be effective educators
Bachelor of Commerce
The Bachelor of Commerce Degree has three subject options (majors), namely: Accounting, Management and Marketing. Our programme provides students with a strong foundation in general business knowledge and skills; and active learning and interaction with the business community through internship.
Bachelor of Arts in Humities
The programme makes an interesting choice because of its focus on aspects related to culture and life. As such, the main areas of study are English Language and Literature in English; African Languages and Literature; Modern Languages and Literature (French); History, and Theology and Religious Studies.
Your Future Starts Here.
It is not too early to prepare for 2020 admissions. Look into out different programmes’ entry requirements and prepare yourself for the next application period.
About Us
The Institute of Distance Education provides educational and training opportunities for individuals who are unable to undertake conventional and professional university programmes and courses.