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. Furthermore the course has been further  split into two modules namely Technical module and Clinical modules

Entry qualifications and other requirements

To qualify for admission to the course, the applicant must possess:

Ordinary level education or equivalent certificate, with at least three credit passes in any of the following subjects; Physics,biology, mathematics or chemistry.
Candidates without the above may qualify for admission, provided they have two years experience in wheelchair production in a recognised workshop and pass an entry examination set by TATCOT.

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 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 objectives

Learning Objectives

The trainee are expected to be able to:

• Observe safety procedures in relation to machine operation and handling of tools.
• Handle tools related to wheelchair production and repair.
• Organise and maintain their working areas and tools.
• Design,produce and assemble wheelchair components to suit user's needs.
• Destinguish various wheelchair componets
• Design and assemble different supportive seating components
• Assess, prescribe and fit appropriate products to users
• Deliver a comprehensive,professional service.
• Analyze and prescribe different levels of seating devices and foam cushion.
• Become familiar with different seating products.

Job profile

The role of the wheelchair technology staff is to:

• Produce/ assemble wheelchairs to meet the requirement of the local community.
• Design wheelchair components to meet local requirement.
• Select material suitable for local production of wheelchairs.
• Assess, prescribe and fit appropriate wheelchairs and other seating devices to people with different types of physical disabilities.
• Assess and prescribe appropriate pressure relieving cushions to people with different types of physical disabilities
• Maintain the quality of wheelchairs and wheelchair accessories produced.
• Serve as a member of the rehabilitation clinical team.

Course duration and subjects

The technical module is approximately 6months and Clinical module last for about four months.

Course outline; Technical Module

 
Course outline; Clinical Module

 

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 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)