E-DRUG: Courses by Distant Learning (2)
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I recently completed a "distance learning", albeit in a non pharmaceutical
area, and I thought I should share with you my experiences, some of them
quite tasking.
First of all, we should appreciate that "distance learning" comes in
various designs and structures - fully on-line, including real time or a
day or two lag, part on-line and part postal, fully postal, and sometimes
brief physical presence on site etc.
Mine was of the fist type, fully on-line with a specified minimum number of
times in class (at least 4 times a week). It is very important that if your
option is like the one I did, that one plans well in advance, including:
Seeking the understanding of family, otherwise one party suffers.
If you are self financing, please ensure that you have cleared the last
payment modality with your bank, because I saw many a brilliant
classmate drop out only to find they had problems financing. Some may
join at a later stage with another cohort, but once you get into a
rhythm with colleagues and you drop out, it takes a while again to
settle down to a new dynamic.
Travelling is also a major stumbling block because if you travel on duty
or holiday to an area for a week or more where connectivity is
compromised, you may lose valuable course points for lack of class
"attendance".
Whether or not your employer finances you, it is crucial that at the
least your supervisor is aware and agrees with you, otherwise work place
performance and stability can be compromised, which in turn can spill
over into your course performance.
Finally, please don't imagine for one moment that "distance" means
"away" from pressure, because I have never been under so much pressure
with course work!
However, once you have reflected on some and more of these ground
realities and you resolve to move forward, by the time you realise, you are
preparing for a degree award ceremony !, It is really gratifying then; you
would have made friends and shared knowledge and work experiences with
people from all over the world, and poised to move on in your career. I
wish all colleagues who plan to take up this challenge the best indeed.
Murtada M. Sesay
Technical Officer (Pharmaceuticals)
UNICEF Supply Division
Tel: +45 3527 3098
Mobile: +45 28 23 28 07
E-mail: msesay@unicef.org
Web: www.unicef.org/supply