Varsities advised to develop people-centred ICT systems

Original story by Gerald Kitabu

Universities in the country have been challenged to embrace and develop customized information and communication technology (ICT)-based systems tailored to meet the needs of the people.

The challenge was thrown by deputy minister for Communications, Science and Technology Charles Kitwanga at the inauguration of an exhibition week hosted by the College of Information and Communications Technologies (CoICT) in marking the golden jubilee of the University of Dar es Salaam.

He said the inauguration of the ICT College should usher in a new beginning in ICT training, research and innovations to produce competent human resources and job creators and not job seekers because that was the main aim of any university.

“It is expected that the graduating candidates from this college will come out of the university well-equipped with skills and expertise that will enable them to engage in direct professional employment or be creators of IT employment for others” he said.

Citing examples from the tiger ecomies in South Asia, the minister said ICT had helped countries with very limited natural resources like Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea to efficiently utilize their human resources in creating something from nothing.

However, computerized systems in most of the countrys' offices and activities have largely helped in effectively running the governments at low costs, he added.

“Brazil, China, India and South Africa are among the developing countries of our level that have put efforts in ICT research in solving the energy problem by stimulating studies of alternative energy sources that can be integrated in a smart power grid,” he said. He said the government was ready to provide moral and material supports to the college, adding that it had already set up funds for research in ICT.

Earlier, acting principal of the college Prof. Justinian Ikingura said inauguration of the college had come at the right time because it would indulge seriously in new and emerging technologies.

“The college will serve as an ICT hub for research, technology incubation and product development by forging close links and collaboration with internal partners and local industries,” he said.

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