Abstract
The emergence of knowledge society globally today has created new challenges for Higher Education (HE) particularly with the development of Information Communication Technology (ICT) at a speed that has no match in history yet HE in Uganda is still lagging behind. The paper aims at unraveling the role and challenges of using ICT in HE of Uganda and education implications in order to provide the way forward with Kyambogo University as a case. This study used a mixed methods approach that combined desk review and interviews. The paper reveals the role of ICT in HE as central in the teaching-learning process, on the learner and learning and on the academic staff and teaching while the challenges as; learners, economy, equipment and academic staff which poses as a drawback in the teaching –learning process. The paper concludes that ICT is central in the teaching-learning process as well as in the management of HE institutions. The way forward rests majorly in the newly created ICT Ministry with effective implementation of ICT Policy 2014 to improve the livelihoods of Ugandans by ensuring the availability of accessible, efficient, reliable and affordable ICT services in which HE will benefit automatically hence its effective application and use in the teaching-learning process.
Highlights
The Information Age is a period in human history characterized by the shift from traditional industry that the industrial revolution brought through industrialization, to an economy based on information computerization through the use and application of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) gadgets like computers and mobile phones as well as services like internet, social media, e-learning, e-commerce, e-agriculture and telemedicine
The growth of ICT in Uganda is faced with challenges of inadequate infrastructure, insufficient human resource capital and capacity, insufficient funding and weak partnerships, limited public awareness and knowledge, low adoption levels of e-Services, limited investment in research and development, untapped local content, and a weak institutional framework according to the Ministry of Information Communication Technology (MoICT), ICT Sector Strategic and Investment Plan (2015/16 – 2019/20)
This dealt with the economy of Uganda in terms of the National Budget and available resources in the country to support ICT implementation in Higher Education (HE) and below is the response: Irregular electricity supply in the country where universities are not exceptional besides many parts of the country are without electricity which creates perpetual difficulties in ICT use and application at all times. (A male science undergraduate student said)
Summary
The Information Age ( known as the Computer Age, Digital Age, or New Media Age) is a period in human history characterized by the shift from traditional industry that the industrial revolution brought through industrialization, to an economy based on information computerization through the use and application of ICT gadgets like computers and mobile phones as well as services like internet, social media, e-learning, e-commerce, e-agriculture and telemedicine. The plan is expected to improve service delivery, creating employment and wealth to fast track social- economic transformation through utilization of quality as well as affordable ICT services in all spheres of life including education. From such a digit economy, Higher Education (HE) is supposed to benefit and translate that into the teaching-learning process as well as in the management through the use and application of ICT so that all deserving students can access HE and complete on time with easy. The paper provides a conclusion and recommendations for successful ICT application in HE institutions of Uganda as well as references
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