Internet may aid Africa Colleges (4)
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And then we wonder why people become sceptical of the benefits of
the Internet?!!! Either this World Bank project was reported very
inaccurately or this is yet another example of a totally misguided
attempt at 'technology fix'. We find it very difficult to get 3-4
universities to set up joint courses ('virtual campuses' - to use
the jargon) within Scotland where we have very good infrastructure
(ATM + v. high bandwidth + high ratio of machines/student, etc.),
shared cultural background and common degree structures. Do we
really expect 8 DIFFERENT countries in Africa to pick up from course
output from US/Ireland - even ignoring the technology issues (wasn't
one of the initial problems that graduates were not suited to local
job markets!?).
Let's get real!! I know it's far from unusual but it still makes me
a bit sad to see another million dollars poured down the drain when
there are so many other much more focused/more realistic options and
in many cases potentially self-sustaining (though unfortunately for
them, it would seem, not so 'exciting') crying out for some initial
funding.
Sorry to be so negative but the report/project really got to me....
Crawford Revie
(Senior Lecturer)
Department of Information Science
University of Strathclyde
Glasgow G1 1XH, SCOTLAND
Tel.(Direct Line) : +41 548 3301
Tel.(Office) : +41 552 4400 (ext 3700/3096)
Fax: +41 553 1393
E-mail: crawford@dis.strath.ac.uk
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