6th Microfinance Training of Trainers: A Blended Distance Learning Course

Background

Microfinance is recognized as an effective development intervention that enhances access to financial services by low-income individuals. The Microfinance Training of Trainers (MFTOT) Course is jointly sponsored by the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) and the World Bank Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC). The interactive microfinance distance learning course (MFDL) developed by UNCDF is the core learning material for study. This course has received high rating from participants and become popular in many countries.

Over the past four years, five courses were successfully delivered in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world. About three thousand participants conducted self-study using the interactive e-Learning package and attended videoconference sessions. Over 700 participants received online tutoring for 11 assignments and took part in the final exam. Among them, a total of 335 in 36 countries were accredited to become a fully certified trainer of the UNCDF MFDL course. Top 19 graduates from 12 developing countries including Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Lao PDR, Malawi, Mongolia, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam were engaged to work as tutors for the courses.

Since 2007, the course materials (workbook and interactive CD-ROM) have been translated from English into several local languages such as Chinese, Khmer, Lao, Thai, Vietnamese, Mongolian, and Bahasa Indonesia. A Japanese version will also be available in 2009.

The ADBI and TDLC are pleased to announce the sixth delivery of the Microfinance Training of Trainers course (MFTOT6) from July to October 2009.

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Course Description

The course features a unique, blended approach consisting of:

1. Self-paced study using the Microfinance Distance Learning (MFDL) package developed by UNCDF. The package is available also online at http://mftot.jointokyo.org/*.

2. Online tutoring and e-discussion. Tutors will assist participants throughout the course in completing course assignments through grading and feedback. Online discussions will be moderated by the team leader of tutors.
3. Meeting with international microfinance experts through four 3-hour videoconference sessions at selected GDLN centers. The videoconference sessions will feature presentations and discussions on current issues and best practices in microfinance. The videoconferences will also be webcast live. Tentative dates for the videoconference are as follows:
   • VC#1: 16 July 2009
   • VC#2: 20 August 2009
   • VC#3: 24 September 2009
   • VC#4: 22 October 2009
4. Local courses in selected countries will be available during the same time period.

* This link takes you outside the ADBI.org website

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Objectives

The MFTOT Course aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of microfinance in the Asia-Pacific region by making high-quality microfinance training accessible to more decision-makers, professionals and practitioners in the field of microfinance as well as increasing the number and country coverage of accredited microfinance trainers in the Asia Pacific region and around the world.

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Participants

The target audiences for this course are development practitioners, microfinance professionals, policy makers, donor staff, socially responsible investors, students, and others who want to improve their knowledge of best practices in microfinance.Participants who wish to develop their skills in delivering microfinance training and become fully certified trainers of the UNCDF course can earn accreditation by completing all weekly assignments and the final examination for this course.

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How to Apply

Course registration will start on 11 May 2009 and close on 30 June 2009. Interested participants should register online at http://mftot.jointokyo.org/*.

* This link takes you outside the ADBI.org website

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Language

The course will be delivered in English. The videoconferences, e-discussion, assignments and final examination, including the optional accreditation examination, will be conducted in English. However, if a country tutor is available, e-discussion may be conducted and assignments submitted in a local language.

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Cosponsors

Tokyo Development Learning Center