Universities Taking a Leading Role in ICT Enabled Human Development
This paper discusses, analyses and gives a way forward on the creation of ICT awareness, literacy
and expertise through public universities in Tanzania. Relevant literature and websites were
reviewed and interviews with key persons were conducted to establish the current situation as well
as potential in Tanzanian universities. The study limited to practical experiences of two public
universities in Tanzania found the two to be actively addressing the challenge in various ways;
formulation of policies and strategic plans, collaboration with institutions, agents and governments
from developed countries, ICT based curricula, establishment of ICT infrastructure, ICT units, elearning
environment, ICT short courses, computer science degree programmes, organization of
workshops, seminars and public lectures, use of media such as television, radio, newsletters and
websites. The paper, based on this study, recommends that universities should review the methods
used to enrich their communities with ICT awareness, literacy and expertise in order to bridge
the digital divide gap.