Background

The Continuing Education Program at Jimma University was first started in 1980 at Jimma College of Agriculture to train the students in general agriculture at diploma level. Even though there was high demand of distance and off campus programs from different stakeholders, due to various reasons there was only one program in distance, management at certificate and diploma level at the College. Gradually the office expands its programs to the summer in-service and in 2003 the office started two summer programs namely: teachers’ education at degree level and Law at diploma level. Soon the office expands these programs to other disciplines.

The Continuing and Distance Education (CDE) of the University grow up and reorganized in 2009. With this the office launched a full-fledged distance education in various disciplines at degree level and Postgraduate programs in summer. Distance education is actually an innovative educational strategy that offers an educational opportunity to people who are already in the career without detaching them from their work places and residence. It follows a student centered teaching approach with the use of user friendly course materials and continuous monitoring. In this program the office provides every support to learners through available means of communication and arranging special sessions for face to face contact.

Vision 
The Distance and Continuing Education office of the University endeavors to become the leading continuing and distance learning center in the country.

Mission 
The office of Continuing and Distance Education of the University is to provide accessible quality higher education and to create opportunities of professional development by providing integrated training and open learning through distance and Continuing education programs.

Objectives of the Office

• Provides an educational opportunity to people who are already in the career without detaching them from their work places.
• To produce qualified and skillful professionals in various disciplines.
• To supplement the existing resource of the University
• To contribute to societal development

Organizational Structure

Currently, the CDE of the University headed by the Director and Vice Director Comprises four units namely: Material production and distribution Unit, Examination Unit, Registrar Unit and Administrative Unit. Moreover, besides the CDE coordinators at the six Colleges in the University, the office has eleven satellite centers including Jimma Center such as: Addis Ababa, Wolkite, Metu, Assossa, Dembi Dollo, Ghimbi, Nekemte, Shambu, Mizan and Tercha.