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The objective of the studies is to provide a national-level, gender-sensitive analysis of current planning processes, policies and initiatives on information and communications technology for development (ICTD) in institutions of higher learning (IHLs) in a selection of countries in the region to prepare future ICTD leaders in the country, taking into account ICT connectivity and partnerships between IHLs and private sector, policymakers and regulators.

ICTs hold the promise of improving the lives of people - disadvantaged people in particular. IHLs in developing countries are continually reminded that they should prepare future leaders with the advanced knowledge and skills needed for the next stage of development in their countries.

The need for an orientation towards ICTD in academic curricula, whether in ICT disciplines or other disciplines, was recognized by APCICT in their ‘ICTD Youth’ programs.

Recent research has indicated that universities and other higher-learning institutions in the region responsible for training the next generation of leaders lack adequate coverage of ICT for development in their curricula. Programs and courses that are best suited to provide training and impart knowledge about the use of ICT for socio-economic development either do not cover ICTD or address it in a manner that sufficiently identifies the potential of ICT for development.

Do these countries have plans, policies and initiatives necessary to build tomorrow’s ICT leaders with sensitivity to ICTD issues, at national, institutional or program level? In these country studies we attempt to answer that question through desk research and expand on the desk research using the case of selected academic institutions and ICT academic programs in those institutions.

Adequate ICT connectivity is a necessary condition for preparing future ICT or ICTD leaders and ensuring they have the necessary infrastructure for success. Therefore, the studies first looked at planning, policies and initiatives for ICT connectivity at national, institutional and program level in the selected countries, followed by an evaluation of same for ICTD education. A gender-sensitive analysis is also important because the low participation of women in computing is a world-wide phenomenon. If ICTD leaders are to include women, IHLs should have a sufficient number of female graduates in ICT to supply the ICTD pipeline.

The objective of the studies is to provide a national-level, gender-sensitive analysis of current planning processes, policies and initiatives on information and communications technology for development (ICTD) in institutions of higher learning (IHLs) in a selection of countries in the region to prepare future ICTD leaders in the country, taking into account ICT connectivity and partnerships between IHLs and private sector, policymakers and regulators.

ICTs hold the promise of improving the lives of people - disadvantaged people in particular. IHLs in developing countries are continually reminded that they should prepare future leaders with the advanced knowledge and skills needed for the next stage of development in their countries.

The need for an orientation towards ICTD in academic curricula, whether in ICT disciplines or other disciplines, was recognized by APCICT in their ‘ICTD Youth’ programs.

Recent research has indicated that universities and other higher-learning institutions in the region responsible for training the next generation of leaders lack adequate coverage of ICT for development in their curricula. Programs and courses that are best suited to provide training and impart knowledge about the use of ICT for socio-economic development either do not cover ICTD or address it in a manner that sufficiently identifies the potential of ICT for development.

Do these countries have plans, policies and initiatives necessary to build tomorrow’s ICT leaders with sensitivity to ICTD issues, at national, institutional or program level? In these country studies we attempt to answer that question through desk research and expand on the desk research using the case of selected academic institutions and ICT academic programs in those institutions.

Adequate ICT connectivity is a necessary condition for preparing future ICT or ICTD leaders and ensuring they have the necessary infrastructure for success. Therefore, the studies first looked at planning, policies and initiatives for ICT connectivity at national, institutional and program level in the selected countries, followed by an evaluation of same for ICTD education. A gender-sensitive analysis is also important because the low participation of women in computing is a world-wide phenomenon. If ICTD leaders are to include women, IHLs should have a sufficient number of female graduates in ICT to supply the ICTD pipeline.

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Information and Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Division [email protected]