Abstract:

Introduction:
The application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has become very important to contemporary educational delivery worldwide that it has virtually become impossible to deliver or receive higher education without the application of such advanced technologies in teaching, learning, research and consultancy. Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences-MUHAS has invested in costly technologies in order to keep up with the rapidly changing technology to enhance the quality and relevance of education and research in the health sciences.

Objective:
To identify types of ICTs facilities available for teaching and learning at MUHAS and point out challenges hindering ICTs utilization within the university.

Methodology:
The target population for this study involved students at MUHAS. Nevertheless, only students from the School of Public Health and Social Sciences (SPHSS) out of 6 schools were chosen to participate in the study. The reason for choosing SPHSS, the school does conduct a lot of e-learning lectures for students. A total of N=173 students participated in the study from the targeted population (N=200). Using quantitative techniques, N=132 (66%) individuals were surveyed. The data were analysed quantitatively using SPSS version-20.

Results:
The results reveled that, MUHAS students use ICTs for learning and they utilize different types of ICT hardware and software. However, lack of ICT skills, internet connectivity and shortage of ICT facilities were mentioned as major challenges for utilizing ICTs for learning.

Conclusion and recommendation:
ICT technical staff need to provide better technical support, maintenance and improve ICT facilities for students. Further, ICT management should provide wireless access around the campus and number of computer laboratory needs to be increased for e-learning to function perfectly.

Keywords:

ICTs, learning, internet, MUHAS, Muhimbili.