An assessment of the adequacy and utilization of information and technology in the University of Cape Coast

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (lCT) has the 'tools' to facilitate the core tasks of a higher educational institution like a University in the areas of teaching, learning, research, management/administration and for library services. However not much can be gained from the technology in that respect if an assessment is not made into how the technology is currently being used, its adequacy and accessibility, as well identifying the problems hampering the development and use of ICT in the University of Cape Coast and offering recommendations to offset the challenges. This therefore was what the study sought out to achieve. To carry out such a study necessarily required a detailed evaluation of what pertained on the ground. To achieve this, three different types of questionnaires were used to solicit information from the three categories of target groups, namely; lecturers, senior administrators and students. Random sampling was used to select 100 and 500 respectively of lecturers and students respondent groups. However the census method was employed for the senior administrators because their population size was only 66. Further information were also gathered through interviews from some senior officers. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 14 was employed in analyzing the data, and frequencies, percentages and cross tabulations were used in the presentations of the results. It was established from the study that all the stakeholders in the University vouched for the indispensability of ICT in the educational enterprise and highly advocated for ICT deployment in all the facets of the University. However, ICT use or penetration in the University of Cape Coast as a whole was inadequate or low and needs to be improved extensively, although there were isolated cases where the use of ICT was encouraging. Also, inadequate ICT facilities and infrastructure hampered ICT use in the performance of the University's core functions of teaching, learning, research and management. Furthermore, the ICT knowledge-based for staff and students was at a low level to enable them adopt and harness the mass of academic resources that ICT avails. Based on the findings it was recommended that the management of the University should as a matter of urgency inject the necessary resources such as hardware, software, communication equipment and not overlooking tailored training for lectures, senior administrators, IT staff and students that would radically transform the development and use of lCT in the University.