ICT & Innovation

Since its establishment in 2004 by the United Nations ICT Task Force, the Global e-Schools and Communities Initiative (GESCI) has provided demand driven assistance to developing countries seeking to harness the potential of ICTs to increase access to, and to improve the quality and effectiveness of their education systems.  GeSCI’s mission connects with the mission of the International Centre for e-Innovation and Workplace Learning (IReWL) http://www.dcu.ie/cwlel/index.shtml with its focus on practitioner-research and the innovative design and use of technologies in a range of workplace contexts, including development education.

In 2012, the CEO of GeSCI Jerome Morrissey contacted Dr. Yvonne Crotty and Dr. Margaret Farren asking for their assistance in the design and possible accreditation of a professional blended learning programme for African leaders. Once the programme content and form of delivery was agreed both parties submitted a proposal to DCU for a Graduate Diploma in Leadership Development in ICT and the Knowledge Society. The programme was accredited as a level 9 programme in 2012.  180  future leaders from sub-Saharan African countries graduated from the programme in July 2013 - Graduation video . A further group of African leaders commenced the programme in 2014. To date the programme has been implemented in West, Eastern and Southern Africa. 

The programme brings together participants across countries to address the regional and country specific issues in policies in ICT, Education and Science, Technology and Innovation. The key areas of the programme include Leadership in the Knowledge Society, New Strategies for Science, Technology and Innovation, Telecommunications Infrastructure and Quality Internet, ICT Applications and the Role of Government, Education in the Knowledge Society, Knowledge Society for Africa.