The first day of our tour, 28/06/2010

As I mentioned in the previous post, sunrise is very early in Netherlands, with my curtains open, I had to wake up very early.. it was 0530. I watched some television and exercise a bit and making myself ready for the day. We took our breakfast at the hotel, it was a nice breakfast indeed, though some foods were not familier but we enjoyed ourselves.
Niek came to our hotel at 0830, we had an introductory part of our training and some discussions on what the course will do not only for us but also for TPSC. Though there were some issues which were already arranged for us to study, we were given a chance to propose what we would like to be taught, we proposed that we would like to be equipped with with web technologies, e-learning systems, web-based admission and results system and some other things which could bring a change and make TPSC staff not only user of the systems but being able to update what will be provided by the system.
We discussed about implementing Moodle as our e-learning system, we planned to start designing it when we are still in Netherlands and we will start implementation as soon as we land to Tanzania. While in Netherlands we will discuss about major functionality of the system and how to create a culture to TPSC staff to use ICT in providing course materials and examination results to students and some other functionality which could be of handy to facilitators and students.
This e-learning system will not only made life easier to students and academic staff but it will provide an easier means to other people and public at large to get to interact with TPSC, as most of them will applying for courses online, read some journals prepared by TPSC and again being able to send some queries on certain issues that they think TPSC could be provide solution, isn't this going to be cool feature and good start for TPSC to market herself? We all have the answer and the right answers are what makes us come up with such an idea.
After this discussion, we were told to report each day and everything we do in our own blogs.
After making the first report available online, we went to visit one of the best University in town and Niek's office before we went to visit the public library in Netherlands. In this library we get to know lot of things, most of them could be positive impact if implemented at TPSC's library.
Speaking of this library, we witnessed a lot, among them being a smart system for checking availability and borrowing books, journals, DVDs and much more, a smart way of printing, a smart way of arranging materials in the library, a smart way of work in the library and interlinking of library.
After library we went to watch a football match with some friends of which Netherlands team won.
We really had a very good day..     

A trip to Netherland on 27/06/2010.

We had a very long trip, a nine hours trip. We landed at Amsterdam airport early in the morning and a lady called Leonoor Akkermans came to pick us. She introduced herself and gave us some documentations and information on how to go about with some certain major things. She bought us three train ticket to Groningen a city where our hotel is.


At the train-stop Niek and Roel came to pick us, they showed us around and we had a lunch together at the restaraunt near our hotel, after that we went to our hotel which is in town, it is called Martini Hotel.


In the evening time we went at Niek's place, he had his birthday party, we meet with his frinds and family for BBQ and drinks, we really had a wonderful time there, we had people to talk to, sharing some experiances and talks about Africa and ongoing world cup issues, there after we came back to our hotel for a night sleep.


I witnessed something stranger with Netherland, they have a very early sunrise and late sunset.


The good thing is we do enjoy ourselves as weather is very good, lot of sun hence no need to take your jacket with us.


Thats Netherlands, in Groningen.