Staffs' utilization of information and Communication Technology facilities in the University of Cape Coast

Abstract

The study investigated the types of application programs, other ICT facilities and their accessories used by the staff in their work. The study also covered location of ICT facilities; the capacity of the staff to use ICT facilities; their level of knowledge in relation to the use of the ICT facilities; frequency of staff use of computers and other ICT facilities in their work; staff awareness of committees, sections and units that cater for ICT needs of the University; and finally the challenges or constraints faced by the staff in using the ICT facilities available to them. Data were collected, using a questionnaire, from 365 respondents, made up of 180 academic senior members and, 22 non-academic senior members and 163 non-technical senior staff. The main findings from the study were that; the staff of the University of Cape Coast had accepted to use the ICT facilities for their activities but computer use was on the low side. The staff had access to the available facilities either in their offices or other points in the University. The most commonly used computer brand was DELL with the most frequently used software being MS Word. The Email was the most popularly used facility on the internet. The ages of the respondents had no association with their level of ICT use. The study recommends that the University should ensure that; all departments, sections and units are provided with computers and their accessories and an alternative source of power when the national grid fails; the internet and intranet connections should be made more reliable and stable at an appreciable speed to eliminate the frustrations that staff face in using the facility, and academic senior members should be encouraged to deliver lectures using PowerPoint.