Competitive prospects of graduate program on the integration of ICT superiority, higher education, and international aid

Abstract

Korea overcame the Asian financial crisis (1997–1998) with its governmental policies of informatization and the promotion of the information and communications technology (ICT) industry. It is a nation that has switched its international position from a recipient of international aid to a member of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC). However, the level of official development assistance (ODA) by Korea is lower than the average of OECD DAC members. As a situational alternative, this study introduced a global information and telecommunication technology program (ITTP) that seems to integrate education on Korea’s superiority in ICT infrastructure and the industry with specialized ODA. In particular, this study analyzed the competitive environment of the ITTP by examining its structural strengths and weaknesses through an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). And then, this research illustrated the relationship diagram of major stakeholders and their impact using Porter’s five forces approach. Our analysis suggests that the ITTP needs to specialize in an “ICT for development” (ICT4D) program in the competitive environment of Asian-Pacific universities by combining education with techno-economic infrastructure projects in developing countries.