Distance learning is any learning situation in which a student and a teacher are not physically located in the same place. Distance learning can take place through a variety of ways—printed materials, lessons on compact discs and audio tape, e-mail discussions, Internet links to tutorials, and telephone conversations.

In collaboration with the project, PRISMA, a Peruvian nongovernmental organization, developed a web-based, interactive, knowledge- and skills-based health logistics course, complete with reading materials, exercises, and examinations. The course, based on materials from the project’s flagship supply chain management course, comprises seven modules; it can be completed in approximately four months. Participants receive university credits upon completion.

Building on this experience with PRISMA, the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT is developing a Distance Learning Program (DLP) for health logistics. The goal of the DLP is to extend the project’s supply chain management training benefits to the country-based logistics personnel that work with ministries of health, nongovernmental organizations, academic institutions, USAID Missions, the project staff, and its counterpart agencies. The project expects that an appropriate DLP curriculum and effective methodology will enable participants to learn the principles and practices of health logistics at their own pace, in their local settings, using available resources.

For more information as our DLP develops, please contact askdeliver@jsi.com.