#CBS2016: African Universities urged to in-cooperating Internet Governance in their curriculums

African Universities were today called upon to take up the challenge of in-cooperating Internet Governance in the curriculums of their different departments.

This was said by Ms Anriette Esterhuysen, Executive Director, APC, during the, ITU Global ICT Capacity Building Symposium 2016 Stakeholder pre-event , hosted by Kenya’s CA at the Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya.

“I think that at the moment we may have some computer science departments that have content in their curriculum about how the Internet works and looking at the technical management of the internet,” said Ms Esterhuysen.

“But what I feel is a real gap, is looking at the social implications and the political implications of the internet. Looking at the international relations component, for example; is the U.S controlling the Internet?  Is China becoming a player? And how can Africa be allowed a voice in international internet policy and decision making?  I feel there is a real gap there, and I think it’s a fantastic area for research,” she added

“With social media, you see that universities offering Journalism are beginning to look a bit, at the impact of social media on the internet, but social media is impacting, not just on journalism, it actually impacts politics, societies and political participation,” she continued.

Ms Esterhuysen gave the example of the internet shutdowns like in Uganda which is becoming a pattern. She said that research should be done to find out the implications of such policies. She went on to call on all departments of Universities in Africa, ranging from; economics, sociology, politics and even history, to begin to expose their students to more writing and research and learning about the internet and internet policy.