How ICT Impacts the Research Environment : A case study of Makerere University

In 2000 SIDA began a research cooperation with Makerere University in Uganda after it was found to be the centre of research activity in the country. The lack of Information and Communication Technology, ICT, was pointed out as a factor to the weak research and training and by adding the presence of ICT facilities, it was believed that the research environment could be improved drastically. The purpose of this study was to examine how the usage of ICT at Makerere University in Uganda has impacted the research environment and what role the SIDA funded Directorate of ICT Support, DICTS, has played as well as provide suggestions to how to continue to improve the research environment with the use of ICT. The ICT resources available to students and staff identified in this study at the university are provided in the form of desktops, laptops, wired and wireless internet, several web-based applications and an e-learning application. Furthermore, the students and staff also use personal phones, smartphones, tablets as well as computers and laptops to communicate, access and interact with the school provided ICT resources. The ICT training given by DICTS has been well received by those who participate but results show that the participants want more sessions and training for themselves and for their fellow colleagues.