Programme

Registration

​Keynote address

​Session 1: Developing skills for the 21st century digital economy: the role of academic institutions
The world is undergoing a major digital transformation, driven by robotics, big data analytics, Internet of Things and artificial intelligence. These developments will have an impact on how we live as well as how we learn. The session looks at the role of universities in shaping this transformation, how technological change is shaping the future of e-learning and how universities are changing their programmes to embrace these emerging topics and technology trends. Some of the issues to be addressed in the session are:

Panelists:  

Session 2: Enhancing capacity in Internet governance through academic programmes
The spread of the Internet and connectedness does not only bring opportunities but also huge challenges, for example in areas such as security and privacy. Internet governance is thus becoming a priority topic at global, regional and national levels. The rapid evolution of ICTs also led to an increase in the scope and level of complexity in the field of Internet governance. Internet governance now encompasses matters related to the technical administration of the network, and to an ever growing myriad of issues related to policy and regulatory realms. The need for capacity development, a precondition for meaningful involvement in the decisions about the future of technology, is therefore paramount. Over the years, the topic has increasingly gained importance as an academic discipline with many universities including Internet governance-related components in their curricula or even offering advanced-level degree programmes. This session discusses the role of academic institutions in building skills in the field of Internet governance, and examines the work undertaken in this area. Some of the issues to be covered are:

Moderator:  Dr William Drake, International Fellow and Lecturer, Institute of Mass Communication and Media Research, University of Zurich, Switzerland - [biography]​

Panelists:

​Session 3: New paradigms for teaching and learning in academic institutions
The new digital environment demands new sets of skills, and new modes of acquiring these skills. There is also a new generation of learners emerging whose learning styles may be different from those of the previous generation. Universities need to align their learning methodologies and teaching paradigm with the new environment. This session will cover:

​Session 4: Re-defining the role of academia in the digital economy: universities as incubators of ICT innovation
Universities play a key role as drivers of innovation and entrepreneurship. Many ICT sector disruptors and innovators made their technological breakthroughs while they were at university. Universities are called upon to redefine their role and approach to learning to accommodate the needs of a performance-oriented digital economy. The session looks at the role universities should play as incubators of innovation, cultivators of the entrepreneurial spirit, and as platforms for technology start-ups in the ICT sector. Some issues covered are:

Moderator: Dr Joseph Sevilla, Director, @iLabAfrica, Strathmore University, Kenya - [biography] 

​Session 5: Developing a workforce fit for purpose: A dialogue between academia and industry
Advances in technology are rapidly changing the workplace and a different set of skills will be required in tomorrow’s digital economy. The business community is facing a shortage of skilled workers which will increase significantly in the future in view of the changing ICT environment. This will also require continuous updating and upgrading of skills and learning, which needs to be taken into consideration by training institutions, in particular universities. Therefore, the university educational system needs to be tailored to the needs of industry. This session examines the gaps in performance of today’s graduates, as seen by selected industry representatives and the role of academic institutions in filling this gap. It will address the following topics:

Panelists: 

Session 6: Fostering collaboration between universities and ITU Centres of Excellence
ITU Centres of Excellence, many of which are academic institutions, have been at the forefront of ITU’s capacity development efforts for a number of years. Recently, ITU has been strengthening its collaboration with academia, both in terms of development and delivery of training programmes. This session will address the complementarity of the work of Centers of Excellence and academic institutions and explore avenues for further collaboration.

 
Moderator: Ms Halima Letamo, Training and Development Officer, Human Capacity Building Division, ITU

​Session 7: ITU Academy partnerships between CoEs, industry and universities: a practical example of the work on spectrum management
Building on the discussions in the previous sessions, this session will illustrate a practical example of how different players can work together in strengthening capacities for the digital age, under the umbrella of the ITU Academy. Choosing the topic of spectrum management, the session will highlight the role of universities in developing training programmes and showcase different approaches to delivery, through partnerships between CoEs, the private sector, and academic institutions. The focus will be on highlighting the impact such partnerships can have in strengthening capacities in developing countries. 

                
Moderator: Mr Mike Nxele, Senior Human Capacity Building Officer, ITU - [biography]​

Panelists:

​Session 8: Strengthening ITU-academia partnerships for capacity development
Based on the discussions held on the previous days, this session will discuss ways and means of how ITU and the academic community can strengthen their collaboration to develop capacities and skills for the digital future. It will present examples of successful collaboration as well as discuss proposals for future partnership opportunities. The session will consider, among others, the following areas of collaboration:

Moderator: Dr Susan Teltscher, Head, Human Capacity Building Division, ITU - [biography]

Panelists: