Update on the Certificate Programme

The annual face-to-face instruction with students in the Certificate Programme in Gender & Development Studies took place February 29 and March 17, 2004 in seven of the ten participating countries in the programme. The seven countries visited were: Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Trinidad, St. Lucia, and the British Virgin Island. Two staff members from the Regional Coordinating Unit, the Programme Coordinator, Yasmeen Yusuf-Khalil, and Suzanne Charles, the instructor for two courses, Research Methods and Interactive Skills [GS10A], and Gender and Development: Social and Economic Considerations[GS21C] conducted the Site visits.

The Site visit was aimed primarily at providing tutorial support to the group of pilot students conducting their research project and also at addressing the perceived needs of the new students in Cluster 1. To this end the visiting instructors engaged learners in practical activities that utilized group as well as one-to-one interactive teaching strategies. Secondary aims included marketing and outreach activities.

Activities engaged in during the Site visits provided invaluable information to assist better understanding of issues related to the programme and for meeting the needs of different stakeholders as well as facilitating evaluation of the programme. Activities included teaching, outreach and marketing. These activities took the form of:

• tutorial support for learners;
• public lectures in two of the 7 countries visited;
• interview on a local radio station in Dominica; and
• discussions with staff in each local UWIDEC Centre.

Video interviews and informal discussions with learners revealed a high level of satisfaction with the quality support provided by the programme coordinator and instructors.

Major Area of Concern

Indications are that persons are interested in the field of Gender Studies but would like the option to pursue this area of study at least at the Associate Degree level.

Interaction with the staff promoted a collegial climate in which to promote the programme. It facilitated discussions that served the purpose of providing all parties with a better understanding of the requirements of the programme and the constraints under which students and staff have to work.