ICT for the Global South

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/XM_0142

Course Objective

At the end of the course, students will be able to:Gain a comprehensive understanding of the digital divide, challenges and opportunities in the Global South and the role of ICT in addressing them. (Knowledge and Understanding)Apply technical skills and innovative approaches to develop innovative ICT solutions to meet specific needs in the Global South. (Applying Knowledge and Understanding)Evaluate the impact of ICT policy and governance on socio-economic development and how it contributes(d) to digital divide by considering ethical, cultural, and sustainability factors. (Making Judgements)Effectively communicate project design and outcomes both orally and in academic reports. (Communication)Develop the capacity for self-directed learning about emerging technologies and their potential applications in ICT for the Global South. (Lifelong Learning Skills)

Course Content

This course explores the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in addressing socio-economic challenges faced by developing countries, commonly referred to as the Global South. It provides a comprehensive understanding of how ICTs can be harnessed to foster development, improve governance, enhance education, healthcare, and empower communities. The lectures (in the form of interactive sessions) will explore how technological innovations can meet specific local needs through sustainable and culturally relevant solutions. Students will engage in hands-on projects to apply their technical skills and innovative thinking to develop real-world ICT solutions tailored to the nuanced demands of the Global South. Students will be guided during the course to develop a reflective practice that includes empathy and ethical considerations, essential for developing ICT solutions for low resource environments. The course focuses that ICTs are powerful enablers for achieving many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), teaching students how to leverage technology to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Teaching Methods

This lectures will be delivered in an interactive seminar-style format. Prior to each class, students are expected to engage with assigned readings and multimedia resources to build a foundational knowledge base. During the lecture, students will discuss main insights and reflect on their own viewpoint in relevance to the pre-class materials.

Method of Assessment

During the course students will work in a group of 3-5 (depending on the total number of students) to derive a solution for a particular problem in the context of Global South. The projects will be research-based and along the way students will need to submit four assignments in total: Assignment #1: group (a written report of overall description of project stating goal and research questions)
- 20% Assignment#2: group (a written report of detailed description of methodology and plan to conduct the study)
- 20% Assignment#3: group
- (a written report of results achieved, discussion of results in the specific context for which study is conducted and future outlook of the project) 40% Assignment#4: individual oral presentations
- 20% Each of the assignments should be at least graded with a 5.5 or higher and the total marks should be 6 or higher for a student to pass the course. One resubmission is allowed for Assignment#1 and Assignment#2 in case of achieved grade below 5.5. There is no resubmission for Assignment#3 and Assignment#4. There will be no final exam.

Literature

Relevant literature will be made available on Canvas.

Target Audience

MSc AI, MSc CS, MSc IS

Recommended background knowledge

We expect students to have at least a basic knowledge of programming and how ICT projects are conducted. Familiarity with mixed-methods research or design science will be a plus, but not mandatory.