Certificate Course in Wheelchair Technology
The Certificate Course in Wheelchair Technology, the first of its type in the world, was established in 2000 through joint cooperation and partnership between the Tanzania Training Centre for Orthopaedic Technologists (TATCOT) and the Motivation Charitable Trust, UK. The course is intended to enrol students from Tanzania and other English speaking African countries as well as from other interested countries.
Entry qualifications and other requirements
To qualify for admission to the course, the applicant must possess either:
An O-level Form IV Certificate or equivalent with at least three credit passes in any of the science subjects:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Mathematics
Engineering subjects offered at technical secondary school are also acceptable as a third credit.
or
Candidates with lower academic qualifications plus two years experience in wheelchair production in a recognized workshop can apply for the course. Such candidates must pass an entry Examination set by TATCOT in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Tanzania.
Other requirements
Age: 18 years and above
Sex: Both Male and Female candidates are eligible to join the course.
Health: Candidates must possess a medical certificate indicating that he/she is mentally and physically fit to undertake the course
Language: Medium of communication is English. Candidates must exhibit competence in written and spoken English
Certification: Successful candidates must present their original Birth Certificate, Secondary School Certificate and/or other relevant Certificates as a pre-requisite for admission to the course.
Photographs: Students should present (12) passport size photographs for their Resident Permit, Identity Card, Registration, Academic Transcript and Certificate.
Application dates: Applications should be submitted to the Principal, TATCOT by the 31st January of the year of entry.
- Candidates must confirm their place to the Principal in writing not later than 31st March.
- Late applications will normally be considered for the following academic year.
Course description and objectives
The Certificate Course in Wheelchair Technology comprises theoretical, laboratory and clinical practice. The clinical practice includes the clinical examination and evaluation of individual patients in order to prescribe and deliver the appropriate wheelchair to that patient.
The broad objectives of the one-year certificate course in Wheelchair Technology are among others to provide graduates who:
- Are equipped with the necessary practical skills and knowledge required to appreciate the description, selection and application of wheelchairs to patients or persons with various types of physical disabilities.
- Are equipped with the practical skills and knowledge required to select the locally available materials, parts and other resources suitable for the production of wheelchairs.
- Are cost conscious and who have the required knowledge to produce wheelchairs, which provide the intended function and are durable, easily maintained, cosmetically acceptable and affordable by the population in need.
- Are equipped with the practical skills and knowledge required in developing appropriate designs, assembly of parts, and production procedures of wheelchairs which meet the requirements of the local conditions.
- Have adequate competence to serve as members of a Rehabilitation Clinical Team and participate in improving the quality, service delivery and Community Based Rehabilitation.
- Are knowledgeable, motivated and capable of educating technicians working in a wheelchair workshop with the aim of maintaining and continuously improving the quality achieved.
- Are able to show understanding of the professional ethics and be able to appreciate the individual social, cultural, psychological and economic factors, which may influence the process of production, provision and utility of wheelchairs.
- Are capable of managing, co-ordinating and supervising the daily working activities of the technicians engaged in a wheelchair production workshop.
Course duration and subjects
The duration of study for the Wheelchair Technologists Course is one year commencing in October each year. The teaching year comprises 1,350 hours out of which 243 hours are set aside for theory, 972 Hours for practical and 135 hours for examination. During the course the student will undertake both theoretical subjects and practical and clinical training. The core subjects are as follows:
|
Subject |
Hours |
|
Anatomy and Physiology |
27 |
|
Pathology |
20 |
|
Clinical Studies |
20 |
|
Material Technology |
19 |
|
Workshop Technology |
147 |
|
Wheelchair Service Centre Management |
112 |
|
Wheelchair Design and Practice |
719 |
|
Technical Drawing |
68 |
|
Mathematics and Mechanics |
15 |
|
Introductory week |
34 |
|
Disposal |
34 |
|
Examinations |
135 |
|
Total |
1,350 |
Clinical experience is provided through two visits per semester to see patients in their localities and through ward visits at KCMC
Course fees
The course fees should be paid in US$ or equivalent directly to the Bank and Account Number indicated on the letter of admission to the course. The year's course fees should be paid in total before the beginning of the course, or in 2 instalments by special arrangement.The course fees in US$ are as follows:
|
School tuition |
5,500 |
|
Uniforms |
125 |
|
Hostel rent |
1,000 |
|
Catering Utensils |
38 |
|
Residentâ€TMs permit |
120 |
|
Medical insurance |
250 |
|
Education excursion |
150 |
|
Wheelchair construction models |
1,200 |
|
Total |
US$ 8,383 |
The monthly allowances or stipend for students during the period of the course will depend on their parents or sponsoring agencies. However, it is suggested that the foreign student's monthly allowances should be sufficient to cover food, pocket money and other daily expenses.
The student will be required to deposit US$20 (non-Tanzanian) and T
Shs 3,000 (Tanzanian) at the beginning of the course against
the equipment issued at the beginning of the course. This deposit will
be refunded at the end of the course upon return of the equipment.
There are accommodation possibilities in the campus and in Moshi, see our section "Facilities and Accommodation" on this Website.
Non-Tanzanian students should possess all the necessary travelling documents including a valid visa from the Tanzanian High Commissioner or Embassy in their respective countries and a valid passport for the duration of the course before departing to Tanzania. The return air ticket and other travelling costs have to be met by the sponsoring Institution or Agency.
Institutions or individual candidates interested to join the course should seek recommendations of sponsorship.
College Regulations Students are required to abide by the laid down regulations and By-laws of the College during their whole period of study. There are general and academic regulations as outlined by College. These regulations and By-laws will be given to the students on the date of reporting to the College.
Application form
Download the application form (PDF-document, 9 pages, 24KB)
Information Flyer
Download the flyer for the Certificate Course in Wheelchair Technology (PDF-document, 2 pages, 138 KB)
