IICD supported project: Information Technology Training Room

Countries: Mali [ML]
Sectors: education

Summary

The aim of the project is to set up a properly equipped training room to address the dire shortage of modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training in Mali. The ultimate goal is to be able to deliver training certificates with a quality label recognised locally and internationally, through partnerships with companies specialising in ICT.

Update

Updated: 2008-01-28

After a 1-year pilot phase and a 1-year extension phase, the project is being run independently by the ICT Development Centre (IDC).

Introduction

Mali’s development requires a command of Information Technology, among other things. This technology is now used in almost all sectors of activity in Mali, but the supply of training has not kept pace with the increase in its use. The result is a critical lack of trained personnel, in both the private sector and government, and negative impacts not only on productivity but also on the longevity of the IT environment. Other partners of Mali, such as USAID, are willing to introduce open source software, which offers real advantages for the country’s sustainable development, but they have not found any local structures that can support this move. IDC’s project aims to meet this need.

Objectives

• To meet the enormous need for IT training in Mali
• To provide training in open-source solutions
• To offer a training room complying with quality and safety standards
• To efficiently meet the training needs arising from IICD-supported projects in health and agriculture in Mali
• To serve as a training centre for courses for IICD project partners in Mali
• To serve, secondarily, as a work environment for the GTP project in Mali
• Ultimately, to serve as an IT certification centre in Mali

Development Impacts

The target groups are staff of companies, government bodies and NGOs, as well as university students, health professionals, IT professionals, IICD-supported project partners in Mali. Trainees derive benefits for themselves, through enhancement of their skills, and their employer organisations benefit through increased productivity and better maintenance of the IT equipment. There is also a social component involving internships and training for students wishing to work in the ICT sector, who can subsequently train other students in the context of grass-roots organisations.

Budget

Year 1: €55,623, including approximately €31,000 of investment in computer equipment. In subsequent years, investment spending is lower, or non-existent, while operating expenditure increases with the activity of the training room.

Year 2 (extension): €30,000 for setting up a mobile training centre. 3/4 of this amount is earmarked for investment.

Project Owner : ICT Development Centre (IDC)

Project Partners : Malian Association of Linux and Open Source Software Users (Association Malienne des Utilisateurs de Linux et des Logiciels Libres – AMUL).