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Developing an eLearning strategy to implement medical competency based curricula: Experiences from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences

This paper explores the development of eLearning technologies as a new tool to implement competency-based curricula in Tanzania medical universities, with a specific focus on Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS). The paper provides the background of eLearning aspects and the early attempt of adopting eLearning in 2006 at MUHAS and its challenges leading to failure, next it presents the strategic re-establishment of eLearning to support the new competency-based curricula introduced in 2009. Finally, the paper discusses the challenges faced along the implementation process and provides an overview of lessons learnt. This paper observes that if used effectively, eLearning can enhance ubiquity, equity and quality in medical education and the development of appropriate skills in the developing countries' medical care systems. The paper suggests that in order to improve the quality of medical education under limited resource settings, universities in developing countries should effectively make use of innovative and emerging technologies which are relevant to their respective environments. A successful implementation of eLearning requires a strategic approach which should be embedded by the university management, academic staff and students. The approach should at least take into account significant issues including pedagogy, ICT infrastructure, appropriate technologies, human resources, eLearning policy, training of faculty and students, integration of eLearning and information literacy into university's curricula and partnerships.