MEFMI Goes Full Throttle on E-Learning

MEFMI embarked on an e-learning programme in 2015.  The objective of the programme is to expand the Institute’s training outreach to member states while leveraging the power of new information and communication technologies for cost-effectiveness. The need for e-learning had been openly expressed by most client institutions as captured by several Institute documents over the years, such as the 2009 and 2014 Impact and Needs Assessment Reports, the 2010 Mid-Term Review and the 2012 – 2016 Strategic Plan. 

 
In light of the above, the Macroeconomic Management Programme (MMP) rolled out its first e-learning course; Introduction to Balance of Payments and International Investment Position (BOP/IIP) Compilation and Analysis. The course aimed at building capacity in comprehension of the concepts underlying the compilation and analysis of BOP and IIP statistics using the 6th Edition of IMF’s Balance of Payments Manual (BPM 6). It was an introductory course given the observed capacity gap in the region – only six countries are fully reporting their external sector statistics based on the BPM6 framework. 
 
The course was conducted over 5 weeks from 19th October to 20th November 2015, and it was hosted on the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) moodle platform. Participants were welcomed to the course with a video recording of introductory remarks by Dr. Caleb Fundanga, MEFMI Executive Director, as well as welcome remarks from Dr. Sehliselo Mpofu, Director Macroeconomic Management Programme.
 
This E-learning course will be followed by a residential 1 week workshop in March 2016, which will cover the more practical aspects of BOP/IIP compilation. The course was intended to equip participants with knowledge to:
a)Understand the concepts and principles underlying the compilation of the BOP and IIP;
b)Identify and comprehend the changes in BOP/IIP compilation introduced by the BPM6;
c)Classify and explain the standard components of the BOP/IIP and how they are recorded;
d)Understand the linkages between the BOP/IIP and other macroeconomic accounts; and
e)Analyze and give an economic interpretation of the developments in the BOP/IIP.
 
The course was widely advertised through the usual quarterly invitations to the client institutions, on the MEFMI website and on the UNITAR course portal. A total of 104 applications from 18 countries were received. Female applicants accounted for forty percent (40%) of the total. Applications that were received through the UNITAR portal were from diverse institutions which included the academia, regional organisations, and the private sector, both from within and outside Africa. 
 
A total of 67 applicants were confirmed into the course, consisting of 65 applicants from the MEFMI client institutions and 2 applicants from regional organizations (EAC and COMESA) However, 6 applicants did not acknowledge receipt of their access credentials and did notlog into the portal during the first week as required. These were then replaced with applicants that had been put on a waiting list.
 
Of the 67 applicants, 9 failed to start the course, leaving a total of 58 participants that embarked on the course. Out of the 58 participants, only 47 participants completed the course, representing a completion rate of 81%. However, 11 of these participants submitted their reports a day or two after the deadline of submission had passed. Female and male participant completion rate accounted for 43% and 57%, respectively. 
The course was delivered online through the UNITAR Learning Management System. The course was divided into four (4) modules:
Module 1: Conceptual Framework of the Balance of Payments and International Investment   Position
Module 2: The Current and Capital Accounts.
  Module 3: Financial Account and the International Investment Position.
Module 4: Analysis of the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position and their Relationship with other Macroeconomic Accounts
 
Each module followed the same pedagogical structure i.e. learning objectives, core module text/content which was subdivided into lessons, a conclusion; additional resources for optional reading, and a compulsory assessment exercise. The assessment exercises for the first three modules were in form of quizzes, while the final module’s assessment exercise was in the form of a report to be written. Participants were also required to peer review at least one report for a fellow participant.
 
Each module was delivered in one week, with the entire course actual delivery covering four (4) weeks. Each week also had a discussion board where weekly discussion topics were posted and participants were required to actively participate in these discussions. An additional forum was also available for each week that provided a platform for participants to post substantive or technical questions and comments that could not be logically fitted within the weekly discussion topics. All discussions were moderated by the Course Mentors. The fifth week was used for wrap up activities and completion of the compulsory final report.
 
In addition to the mentors, there was a support team in place, comprising of 2 staff from MEFMI; the task manager for the activity – Ms Vivian Namugambe, and the IT Officer – Mr. Jonathan Musariri, and 1 staff from UNITAR- Mr. Michael Adalla to provide administrative and technical assistance throughout the course.
 
The programme utilized three resource persons for development and delivery of the course. Content development was done jointly by Dr. Wilson Phiri, Accredited Fellow and Senior Economist – Bank of Zambia; and Ms. Vivian Namugambe, MMP Programme Manager, MEFMI.
 
The content was then reviewed by Mr. Kenneth Egesa, Director Statistics Department – Bank of Uganda. During delivery of the course, Mr. Egesa and Dr. Phiri were also utilized as Mentors.