ITU-D -FLASH • 2015 (BDT). The centers offer a wide and growing range of general and specialized courses on all aspects of telecommunications. Programmes are delivered face-to-face, as well as online through the ITU Academy e-learning platform. They are designed to equip an expanding number of people with the specialist knowledge and tools they require to find their way around the rapidly-evolving domain of ICTs and to use the skills and relevant technology in creating a knowledge society.The CoE programme was launched in 2001 with the aim of strengthening human and institutional capacity in telecommunication and ICTs, initially in Africa and subsequently also in other emerging and developing regions.Since then, thousands of professionals in the ICT sector have been trained across all regions through the global Centers of Excellence network. In 2014, the centers held over 128 training sessions which saw over 4,400 ICT professionals trained through a combination of face-to-face and online training programmes.In 2010, the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-10) adopted Resolution 73 which called for the programme to be continued and strengthened.As a result, a study to review the Centers of Excellence was undertaken by BDT in 2014 which led to the adoption a new Centers of Excellence Strategy. The review recognized the positive role the centers have played in developing the much needed skills but noted that the training programmes need to be realigned to meet the needs of the rapidly evolving telecommunication sector. “Providing assistance in human and institutional capacity building continues to be a priority for ITU,” said Mr Brahima Sanou. “The new CoE strategy adopted by ITU provides an opportunity for renewal and revitalization of the concept, for the emergence of new ideas and objectives and for new ways of working that are attuned to current and future capacity-building needs of the ICT sector.”Following the sixth World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-14) which took place in Dubai in 2014, ITU Members were invited by the BDT Director to apply to become Centers of Excellence for the next four years in the priority areas including policy and regulation, broadband access and ICT applications and services, adopted by the conference. A thorough, open and transparent selection process was undertaken based on the criteria outlined in the ITU Centers of Excellence: Strategic Review and Recommendations for the Future report.A list of recommended centers were then submitted to the Group on Capacity Building ITU CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE: DEVELOPING HUMAN RESOURCE EXPERTISE FOR THE ICT SECTOR