Designing a Mobile SMS System to Support Offline Distance Training Programme Communications at University of Rwanda

Abstract

This paper reports on a study carried out to establish the basis of designing an Offline Distance Training Programme Mobile Short Message Service Communication System (ODTPmSMSCS) intended to improve administrative communication within the Distance Training Programme (DTP) at University of Rwanda-College of Education (UR-CE). The paper outlines the ODTPmSMSCS structure, potential users and the associated implementation challenges such as lack of a policy for SMS to be among the official communication channels of the DTP. In addition to the implemented prototype, the paper presents some recommendations to be considered for implementation by the UR-CE managers to assure that users are committed to use and allow for sustainability of ODTPmSMSCS to take advantage of the technologies the DTP students already have.

Keywords: DTP students, Distance Training Programme, UR-CE, University of Rwanda.