January 13

8:30 am

Institutionalization of University ICT4D: Key Lessons and Challenges

In this session, we examine the genesis of university ICT4D programs at different universities around the world, focusing on the key lessons that can be derived from their accomplishments and challenges. The goal is to explore this issue from the perspectives of the different stakeholders who have been instrumental in establishing such programs -- with an eye to their institutionalization, integration with other elements of the university, and capacity to catalyze broader institutional change.

How have university ICT4D programs come into being?  What were the initial goals of the programs? Who were the stakeholders? The obstacles that had to be overcome? What were the roles of central administration, ministries of education, and other partners? How were they funded and sustained?

• What are common institutional settings (e.g. independent research centers, informal arrangements within departments), and what are the associated implications?

• How have these programs evolved and adapted to meet changing circumstances? Have goals been accomplished? Why/why not?

• What partnerships with government, civil society and the private sector have been created and with what results?

• What were the biggest barriers and mistakes made in the process?

Topic introduction:  Francisco Magno

Facilitator: Mohan Gurubatham

Summation: FF Tusubira

10:00 am

Break

Policies and Programs: Current and Future Priorities

In this session, development institutions and foundations will lead a discussion on their current initiatives, priorities, experiences and suggestions for shaping university ICT4D activities.

• What have been the experiences, especially the challenges and barriers, to working with universities?

• Why do/don't universities receive funding for research and programs, and what can donors do to help them build their capacity?

• How can donors and universities collaborate to turn ICT project anecdotes into research?

• How do the themes and programs discussed in this workshop relate to both existing programs and potential future investments in higher education?

• How can the system be improved (better collaboration, leveraging of other programs)?

• What is the role of state policy and other stakeholders?

Moderator: Florian Alburo

Panelists:

Daan Boom, Asian Development Bank
Jaebong Ro, APEC Education Foundation
San Ng, The Asia Foundation
ICT, Higher Education & Sustainable Development

Subramaniam Janakiram, The World Bank
Maria Lee Hoon Ng, IDRC
Jocelyn Daway, USAID
Bill Loxley, Asian Development Bank
Elcid Pangilinan, UNDP
Joaquim Amsberg, The World Bank, Manila
Shozo Matsuura, Japan International Cooperation Agency

12:30 am

Lunch

Special Lunchtime discussion: ICT & Humanitarian Relief

From early warning systems to coordination of relief efforts, ICT could play a much stronger role in both preventing loss of life and assisting in relief and reconstruction. What are the lessons from the December 26 tsunami disaster and how can universities respond, short term and long term? How can we use this case as a more generalizable example of how universities can play a stronger role in ICT4D?

Discussion leaders:
Rohan Samarajiva

Toshio Obi
Solution Model on Public Safety by ICT: Lessons from Tsunami to Japanese Disaster Prevention

Soraj Hongladarom

Resources

2:00 am

National Education and ICT Policy: Creating an Enabling Environment for University ICT4D

Similar in format to the previous session, a number of policy makers will lead a discussion with all participants on national education and ICT policies, programs, priorities and prospects for supporting university ICT4D programs.

Moderator: Donald Hellmann

Panelists:
Harina Yuhetty
Weiling Chen
Narongsak Boonyamalik
Rolando de la Rosa
Jose Luis Martin Gascon

3:30 pm

Break

"Birds of a Feather" Sessions  (Breakout sessions)

BOF topics suggested by participants will form the basis for these break-out discussions. Several suggestions have already been received through e-mail correspondence. One of the primary purposes of these sessions is to generate ideas for programmatic collaboration.

A couple of topics that have come up in email communications includes:

1) Journal of Information Technologies and International Development (ITID)
ITID has agreed in principle to a special issue devoted to higher education and ICT4D. This BOF will be a brainstorm for the structure of this issue and the process for soliciting papers.

2) eQuality Alliance
This BOF will discuss a proposal for a e-Quality Alliance. Some of the principles of such an eQualtiy Alliance would include:  local ownership to ensure relevance of content at the local level and peer to peer relationships (away from the notion of technical assistance) to ensure engagement of expert practitioners from public sector and private sector from beyond the local arena to the regional or global arena; shared objectives with regard to coordinated quality assurance in cross-border or transnational education; open source for online learning management system and open content; and mutual respect for one another and mutual benefit.

Reporting Back and Moving Forward

BOF session leaders report to the group about their sessions, followed by discussion to develop an action agenda for expanding, strengthening and developing new programs designed to enhance the role of the university in support of ICT4D.

• What are the priorities?

• What networks and other collaborations - across sectors, across universities, and across developed/developing world boundaries - will generate innovative and effective results?

• What roles can government and support organizations (development institutions and foundations) play?

• What should be done at international fora such as WSIS and APEC to highlight the role of the university in ICT4D and motivate stakeholders to support ICT4D education programs?

Determine break-out sessions for Friday.

Facilitators: Colin Maclay and Chris Coward

End