Thursday, October 20th, 2005
Second Blended Learning “Training of Trainers Course on Microfinance” Begins
Video Conference on Commercial Microfinance Kicks off 13-Week Session
Due to popular demand, the "Training of Trainers Course on Microfinance (MFTOT)", first held as a blended distance learning program last spring, will be given again this autumn over 13 weeks by the TDLC, The Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).
The goal of the MFTOT is to train up to 40 microfinance trainers. Based on performance of assignments, e-discussions and final exam, participants who meet standards will be given accreditation to become a certified trainer of the Microfinance Distance Learning Course. The course is also open to professionals who wish to do the coursework on a non-credit basis as well as general auditors.
The first video conference in this second series was held on October 20, 2005 connecting the TDLC and 9 sites including Afghanistan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Mongolia.
The lesson featured a lecture by Ms. Heather Clark, microfinance consultant and former Director of the UNCDF's Special Unit for Microfinance. Speaking from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ms.Clark presented an overview of commercial microfinance touching on key concepts. She also talked about its integration into the formal financial sector and the financial infrastructure necessary to support commercial microfinance.
In discussions following the lecture, participants in Cambodia questioned microfinance organizations, claiming that they were known to charge high interest rates which did not really help the poor. Ms.Clark noted that this was an ongoing debate, but that "the reason for high interest rates needed to be considered, such as the high cost of serving poor communities or inflation".
From Vietnam, participants asked how commercial microfinance organizations could continue to reach out to the poor when they were profit driven. "Profitability for these organizations is in the economy of scale" answered Ms. Clark. "Those who are successful stress both profit and purpose".
The MFTOT course, based on a CD-ROM and student workbook developed by UNCDF, takes an innovative approach blending various learning methods. For accreditation, participants must submit an assignment after self-study for each of 11 lessons. They will receive on-line tutoring regarding their work, and the course instructor will grade assignments and provide feedback. There will also be 4 three-hour video conference sessions featuring lectures from experts in the field.
The remaining 3 video conference lessons will be held on November 16, 2005, December 22, 2005 and January 19, 2006.
•••
