Information Technology Training at the University of Bamako – Mali

The project offers two types of training, the first one is Local Area Network (LAN)/ Wide Area Network (WAN) management and the second one is faculty training in Microsoft Office and basic internet use. LAN/WAN training covers technical and administrative networks, technical training in Microsoft server software, as well as cables and TCP/IP information. In addition to technical training, administrators learned about planning and Help Desk management. Workgroups facilitate continued learning among network administrators.

Howard University conducted training in Microsoft Office and related software programmes with 150 faculty members. The 100 hours of computer training covered a variety of topics, from web site navigation to the use of SPSS software, a quantitative research tool. A particular emphasis was placed on subjects directly relevant to academic disciplines taught by the teachers like science, math, law and economics.

In addition, the MATRIX department of Michigan State University is building the capacities of over 70 University of Bamako faculties to use interactive on-line technologies for communications and research. Participants learn the basics of Windows, email, Internet navigation and web page design.

The project includes the following activities:

• Training for the University of Bamako WAN administrators and LAN managers - security, network management, and help desk assistance.
• Training for teachers, students and training of trainers, covering all the basics of using the Internet; training in web page development and maintenance for selected University webmasters.
• Three pilot projects developed and implemented that will allow selected faculty members to integrate information technology in their academic curricula.
• Proactive Internet user groups established in each department of the University of Bamako to ensure sustainability and creativity in the use of information technology in an academic environment.
• A strategic plan for 2003-2005 to create a unit focused on technology use and evaluation. When created, the unit will assist the University in assuming full ownership of its system, coordinating, advising and planning its growth or modifications to better serve its purpose of contributing to the improvement of the education system in the University of Bamako.
• Plans for establishing a computerised Information Resource Center which would capture information resources on IT sponsored by the University and gather, organise and provide accessibility for research, lessons learned, results and best practices on the general process of introduction of IT utilisation in the University of Bamako.

Development Issues
Technology, Education

The project's objective is to ensure that students, faculty members and university administrators not only have access to computers but are able to use them to improve the quality of teaching and learning. It aims to assist the University of Bamako to use the computer labs in the spirit of information and knowledge sharing, to harness the potential of Internet use for academia.

The organisers say: "Before this project, nearly 80% of University teaching and administrative personnel were unaware of the benefits that Internet use could bring to their work. In fact, many people had heard of the Internet but in reality did not know what it was for…many also did not understand what computers were for."