Postgraduate Diploma in Community Development and Lifelong Learning (GPCD)

Duration: 1 year (2 Semesters)

Preamble

The Postgraduate Diploma of Community Development and Lifelong Learning (GPCD) is a new postgraduate programme in the department of Adult, Community and Lifelong Learning (DACoLL) at Kyambogo University, Uganda. It was instituted in 2023 after approval and accreditation by National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), and Kyambogo University, Uganda. The programme runs for one (1) year on full-time and it’s provided in a flexible mode of study using both face-to-face and virtual learning. Graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma of Community Development and Lifelong Learning (GPCD) are admitted into the second year of studies on the Master of Community Development and Lifelong Learning (GMCD), either in Plan A: Masters by Course Work and Research, or Plan B: Masters by Course work and Project Report. GPCD programme is under the mandate of the Directorate of Graduate Training and Research of Kyambogo University and is implemented in conjunction with the coordination of the Department in the Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation.

Rationale

Community development interventions though projects and/or programs in the contemporary era are focused on meeting the needs of target communities. Moreover, the prevalent mindset among the populace that the government will and/or should largely meet their needs hinders the ownership and sustainability of development programs. Addressing the stated challenges requires the deployment of participatory community education and development approaches that enable both development partners and communities to continuously learn from each other, undertake their obligations, and use their lived experiences and local resources to accelerate their communities’ development. As such there’s a need to train community development practitioners to appreciate and maximize the value of informal, non-formal and formal learning opportunities rooted in the tenets of lifelong learning on development programs, so as to enable inclusive and participatory involvement of locals.

Aim

The Postgraduate Diploma of Community Development and Lifelong Learning (GPCD) programme intends to train people involved in community development work and/or in the tenets of participatory and lifelong learning approaches in community development. 

Target Group

The Postgraduate Diploma of Community Development and Lifelong Learning (GPCD) targets people with various professional and work experiences in community development work such as; Adult and Community Education Facilitators, Leaders and Managers in community-based services, Program Managers, Capacity-building Officers, Program Managers, Capacity Building Officers and Managers, Social Workers, and Planners and Supervisors of Community Development Extension Workers and Programmes.

 Mode of Delivery

Learning on the programme is facilitated in an adult-centred way with interactive, reflective through self-study, group-based learning, and research seminars through a blended system of delivery. It involves flexible online and physical face-to-face modes of facilitation that meet the busy schedules of adults and participants who have various responsibilities.

Admission to the Postgraduate Diploma in Community Development and Lifelong Learning (GPCD) is in accordance with Kyambogo University Graduate School Procedures and Regulations. A candidate is eligible for admission to the GPCD on meeting any of the following minimum requirements.

• Holds a bachelor’s degree preferably in; Adult and Community Education, Social Work, Development Studies, Community Development, Social justice, Special Needs Education, Education, Agriculture

OR;

• Holds other degrees from a recognized University/Institution of higher learning and is a practitioner of community education and lifelong learning.

Graduates from the Postgraduate Diploma in Community Development and Lifelong Learning (GPCD) programme at Kyambogo University have promising future of employment as community development workers, educators, specialists, programme managers, community development officers, and consultants among other community development roles. Graduates will be employed in public and private sectors including nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), but can also set up their own organizations to provide technical services in and/or for community education and development.

• For Ugandan and East African Students: 3,000,000 UGX per annum; (1,500,000=) per semester
• For International Students: 4,500,000 UGX per annum; (2,250,000=) per semester

All prospective students shall always apply via the university’s admissions portal for the open intakes. The admissions portal can be accessed here.

You can also learn more about open in-takes from here.

Michael David, Summani, Ph.D., Lecturer
Postgraduate Programme Coordinator
Department of Adult, Community and Lifelong Learning (DACoLL)
Kyambogo University, Uganda
Email: msumani@kyu.ac.ug  Phone: (+256) 0702 423 880

Peace Buhwamatsiko, Tumuheki, Ph.D., Lecturer
Head, Department of Adult, Community and Lifelong Learning (DACoLL)
Kyambogo University, Uganda
Email: pbuhwamatsiko@kyu.ac.ug  Phone: (+256) 706 560 424