Infrastructure is a vital conduit for the effective functioning of any economy. Both hard infrastructure (basic and digital infrastructure) and soft infrastructure (capacity building and training) are critical enablers in the digital economy, which will have a significant role to play in the global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This virtual event, co-organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), will focus on the soft infrastructure needs of Commonwealth countries in relation to training and capacity building around digital infrastructure.
The seminar will provide an opportunity to:
- Discuss the ‘digital soft infrastructure divide’ that exists in the Commonwealth;
- Learn from academic experts and member countries through sharing of experience of how the digital divide could be narrowed; and
- Discuss future training and capacity building, including potential courses jointly delivered by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the ACU
Who should attend?
This is a public event and we encourage participation from Commonwealth universities, member states, international organisations interested in future collaboration and all interested persons/stakeholders in the field of digital economy, including technology experts, software developers, private sector and wider education sector stakeholders.
Speakers
- Abdoulie Jammeh (Chair), Deputy Permanent Secretary, The Gambia
- Dr Joanna Newman, Chief Executive and Secretary General, ACU
- Prof Sasmita Samanta, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, KIIT University, Odisha, India
- Dr Augustine Mwangi, Senior Lecturer and Instructional Designer, University of Nairobi, Kenya
- Prof. Paul Muyinda, Deputy Principal of the College of Education and External Studies, Makerere University, Uganda
- Prof Jackson Too, Head of Research, Commission for University Education, Kenya