•Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

1.0.1.            Presently, Sida/SAREC is exploring the possibility for providing support to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) projects at four universities in Nicaragua already having long-lasting relations with Sida through ongoing projects.

1.0.2.            The universities concerned are:

·             Universidad Nacional Agraria (UNI) in Managua

·             Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua (UNAN-León) in León

·             Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua (UNAN-Managua) in Managua

·             Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria (UNI)  in Managua

1.0.3              The Sida/SAREC cooperation program for ICT is still relatively young in its existence. At present the program is preliminary oriented towards stimulating free democratic information flows and promoting counterparts universities to become change agents contributing to building the Internet Society. For this purpose the Sida intends to deliver support for areas such as the development of ICT policies, the setting up of comprehensive data communication infrastructures, as well as providing full Internet connectivity, the setting up of information systems supportive to management, education and research (Library Information Systems, Academic Register Management Information Systems, other). Finally, the program intends to support its counterpart in acquiring necessary ICT-expertise for implementation, exploring, operating and maintaining comprehensive ICT services and infrastructures.

1.0.4              To secure proper and motivated decision-making concerning support to be delivered, Sida has invited the Delft University of Technology (DUT), the Netherlands, to execute a quick scan survey at the four universities. For this purpose Mr. Bert Geers, DUT project supervisor for various ICT cooperation projects between the DUT and counterpart organisations in Africa and Asia and Ms. Patricia Maresch, professional translator and editor, carried out a mission to Nicaragua from February 9th-19th 2000.  Next to funding from Sida/SAREC, the mission was financially supported by the Dutch MHO program for inter-university cooperation.

1.0.5       The main objective of the mission was to explore possibilities for starting new initiatives in the area of ICT contributing to the further institutional building of the universities and the improvement of its educational and research programs through:

·            The collection of data on the present status of the existing ICT human and technical infrastructure available at the faculties and departments of the four institutions;

·            The elaboration of the priorities defined by the management of the respective institutions for further development of ICT aiming at improving managerial, administrative, educational and/or research business processes;

·            Providing assistance to the management of the respective universities in formulating possible scenarios of how priority areas can be developed;

·            The collection of data concerning the availability of ICT resources (ICT suppliers, local training and consultancy capacities) in the country which may be of use in future ICT projects supported by external financial support;

·            Making available an overall estimate of suggested development scenarios for each of the institutions.

1.0.6        As the main output of the mission, the DUT team has drafted underlying document giving the observations, conclusions and recommendations to Sida/SAREC concerning the opportunities for future cooperation in the area of ICT between Sida/SAREC and the four universities.  The document consists of 3 parts:

·         Part 1: Introduction, Approach, Observation, Recommendations and Conclusions, Activities for the short term;

·         Part 2: Project-proposals on information policy development and on the setting up of common Internet and networking facilities;

·         Part 3: Quick Scan Survey data: feedback of each of the universities to the questionnaire.

1.0.7              The consultants wish to stress that the report is based on a global assessment of the present ICT-programs and infrastructure at four Nicaraguan universities and the visions, ideas and plans existing at the universities. As such it does not pretend to be complete (more detailed analysis will be needed in time) but to assist in defining the main direction how ICT projects addressing the real needs of the counterpart institutions can be successfully be implemented and the role the Sida/SAREC could have in delivering adequate support. 

1.0.8       The consultants wish to express their sincere appreciation for the support received proceeding and during their visit to Nicaragua.  Firstly, to the participants of the launching workshop who have been the main task force for collection the data. Next to Ing. Leonel Plazaola Prado, who has taken care of all preparations and communications proceeding and logistic support during the missions.  The consultants also wish to thank all the management of and key ICT staff being interviewed, for giving their valuable inputs, suggestions and opinions. Finally, the representatives from Sida/SAREC (Mr. Afzal Sher, Mrs. Cecilia Scharp) and the Nuffic, the Dutch organisation responsible for the overall executing of the  the Dutch MHO assistance program for their efforts and support making the execution of the quick scan survey possible.  

2.  APPROACH

2.0.1              As preparation to the Quick Scan Survey, the DUT has developed a questionnaire in close consultation with Sida.  The questionnaire was meant to be the main instrument for retrieving information on the institutional data of the universities, on the existing ICT-infrastructure and on the ICT-priority areas of the institutions. Two weeks ahead of the mission, a copy of an English version has been made available to all the universities with the request to study the questionnaire carefully and to start collection of data. Upon the arrival of the consultants in Nicaragua, also a Spanish version of the questionnaire has been made available.

2.0.2              The questionnaire consists of four parts to be filled in by different persons or groups at the universities:

·             Part A: institutional data, to be filled in by somebody having good knowledge of the organisational structure of the university;

·             Part B: strategic management/identification of priority areas, to be filled in by staff representing top management;

·             Part C: inventory of existing ICT-technical infrastructure, to be filled in by staff having good knowledge of the ICT-infrastructure;

·             Part D: inventory of existing ICT-human infrastructure, to be filled in by staff having good knowledge of ICT expertise available in ICT oriented services centres (such as the computer or network centres of the university) and within ICT oriented academic of professional training programs.

2.0.3              A second means of retrieving the necessary information were the launching and warp-up workshops, held respectively at the beginning and the end of the visit of the consultants.

2.0.4              During the launching workshop the goals and objectives of the quick scan survey have been explained in details and approaches for collection data have been discussed. Finally, a discussion about the use of the questionnaire in developing project-proposals was held.  At this workshop 18 representatives of all four universities, UNI, UNA, UNAN-Leon and UNAN-Managua, were present (see annex A of this report).

2.0.5              A third means of retrieving the necessary information were visits to all four universities. Meetings with representatives of the universities’ management and key ICT-staff were planned at the workshop and arranged by the participants of the workshops. The consultants have visited all four universities in the week following the workshop.

2.0.6       At the end of the visit of the consultants to Nicaragua, a wrap-up meeting was held with representatives of all four universities. Invited where the participants of the workshop and other interested parties. This meeting was hosted by UNAN-Managua. During the wrap-up meeting the observations, conclusions and recommendations, as described in underlying document, have been presented and discussed.

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3. REVIEWING THE SURVEY OUTPUTS

3.1   General observations

3.1.1              The group of 4 universities represent a community exceeding the number of 36.000 students, 2250 academic staff (lectures and researchers) and 4000 support staff (management and administration, service support centres such as libraries, computing centres, student health centre, sport facilities etc). As such the group represent a major national resource for developing the human potential of Nicaragua.

Total number of:	Students	Academic Staff	Administrative Staff	ICT technical support Staff
UNA	2,685	201	127	1
UNAN-Leon	6,880	630	490	19
UNAN-Managua	17,774	1,061	800	7
UNI	9,000	365	333	17

3.1.2              Accordingly, the scale of operations of the group as a whole is impressive. The student populations of the universities range from 2.600 (UNA) to 17.800 (UNAN-Managua). The UNA is physically located on one campus only. The UNI does have two campuses, both in Managua and UNAN-Leon three, all in Leon. The operations of UNAN-Managua are spread over 10 campuses distributed over the whole country.

3.1.3       The importance of the application of ICT is recognized at all levels within the universities: from lectures and researchers to the highest management levels.  In particular the exposure of students to ICT (in particular Internet technology) and the integration of ICT in ongoing academic and professional programs is given top priority. Next, the setting up of advanced management information systems is felt to be of utmost importance for improving the institutional performance in the area of management and administration.

3.1.4       Significant efforts and investments have been made in the past by all members of the group in setting up networking facilities, e-mail and Internet services, information systems supportive to management and administration etc.  Despite of these efforts and due to the scale of operations of the four universities and the availability of limited financial resources only, Student/PC and Staff/PC ratio’s and number of access points to Internet and/or e-mail services are yet far from comfortable and acceptable levels.  Still significant investments will be required for extending data communication infrastructures and ICT services to realistic –not exaggerated- levels taking into account the local context and the overall stage of development of the universities. 

3.1.5              So far and in most cases, new developments in the area of ICT have been initiated in the past by groups directly belonging to (or embedded in) the primary processes of the universities: research groups, individual lecturers, computer centres belonging to faculties, library centres etc. The overall result gives a view of isolated infra structural segments and in some case parallel existence of comparable but partly not compatible services. Furthermore, expertise, ownership and control mechanisms scattered throughout the institutions.

3.1.6                Albeit the disadvantage of limited scope of initiatives started by isolated groups having a severe impact on the long run in building coherent and transparent ICT services for the institutions as a whole, the importance of the direct involvement of actors or groups directly belonging to the primary business processes (education and research) can not be underestimated. Next, it has delivered expertise relevant for the further expansion of services and infrastructure and created awareness and commitment to intensify the efforts aiming at the implementation of an integrated approach of concerted actions on the short term. 

3.1.7              With the exception of UNAN-Leon, the scope of the initiatives started so far did not exceed the boundaries of individual campuses, resulting in the non existence of inter campus networking facilities at UNAN-Managua and UNI (note: the UNA is having only one campus).

3.1.8              Considerable valuable but mainly technical oriented expertise has been created through external donor programs such as Sida in the areas of data communication technology, networking, Internet technology etc. Next, various ICT suppliers with a good and proven reputation are active in the commercial sector of the country. However, expertise oriented towards a managerial approach to the application of ICT is yet limited available within as well as outside the respective institutions.

3.1.9              The application of ICT is valued by all four universities as of utmost importance for staying part of the global academic community and for offering academic and professional training programs matching at least minimal standards. As mentioned before: this importance is not only felt on the highest management levels but at all levels. As a result the respective management of the four institutions are all confronted with a variety of initiatives proposed by various groups, lacking the financial resources to approve all these initiatives.  At the same time the management does not have the instruments for defining the benefits to be expected, for evaluating the feasibility of initiatives proposed and for measuring the effectiveness and efficiency of proposals.

3.2   ICT for management and administration

3.2.1              Information is regarded as a main, strategic resource for managing an institution of higher education and research by all four universities. In case of UNAN-Managua and the UNI, no strategic plans (or comparable documents) were available giving directives and guidelines for developing ICT and information resources. In case of the UNA such a plan was available in which the access to the Internet is given high priority, but formulation of directives and guidelines were lacking. The UNAN-Leon has formulated a plan dedicated to the university wide development of the application of ICT in the recent past. At present, the UNI does have a strategic plan (10 years plan) under development.

3.2.2              The management of the respective institutions do have high expectations about the potential ICT may have for improving the institution’s performance in the area of management and administration.  The priorities for the implementation (or rehabilitation) of corporate management information systems are defined as follows:

Priority areas for development 10 = top priority   0 = no priority	UNA	UNAN-Managua	UNAN- Leon	UNI
Implement (or rehabilitate) a  financial information system	7	8	8	7
Implement (or rehabilitate) a  library information system	available	7	available	9
Implement a human resource management information system	4	6	6	5
Implement an academic register information system	8	9	7	8
Implement  public and external relations information system	--	2	3	4

3.2.3              Although strong intentions exist to set up comprehensive facilities providing access to Internet and e-mail facilities to staff and students and to start the implementation of corporate information systems supportive to management and administration, actual implementation is hampered so far by:

·         The complex character of the internal organisation: All of the four universities comprise of various faculties, departments and/or regional centres assigned (or claiming) a certain level of autonomy and accountability, thus complicating the condition for gaining institution wide support and commitment for the implementation of corporate wide management information systems;

·         Lack of expertise on the execution of such major innovations, uncertainty about benefits to be expected and the impact it will have on the organisation when the information systems or facilities become operational, resulting in

·         Lack of confidence if such major innovations can be successfully implemented;

·         Strong dependency on its own mainly technical oriented ICT advisors for the implementation of major ICT innovative projects but lacking complementary managerial advisory support.

·         Expectation that high costs will be involved and at the same time having only limited financial resources available.

Comment: although the positions of the management of UNA, UNAN-M, UNAN-L and UNI as described may sound dramatic, it should be noted the management of most of the counterpart organisations in more development countries (for instance the Netherlands) are confronted to equally of very similar difficult conditions. Next, it should be noted that the described situation is more manifest within the 2 universities of the group operating on a larger scale (UNAN-Managua and UNI).    

3.3   Assessment of Internet technology

3.3.1              As illustrated in the following table, the importance of Internet and Internet technology is valued as follows:

Priority areas for development 10 = top priority   0 = no priority	UNA	UNAN-Managua	UNAN- Leon	UNI
Internet and/or e-mail facilities for students and staff	10	10	9-10	10

3.3.2              In brief, the importance of Internet and e-mail for the respective universities is motivated as follows:

• Staff and students will be exposed to ICT;
• Cost efficient communication with researchers in other parts of the country and at international level;
• Staff and students will get access to external data bases and electronic information resources, hence a greater access to scientific information;
• Divulgacion de actividades academicas e investigacion de la  the academic and investigative actions of the university;
• Availability of distant learning programs;                                        
• Publishing of services and research results on the Internet, as an instrument of promotion;
• Access to data bases through the WWW;
• Improve communication with external organisations;
• Improve internal communication;
• Facilitate the exchange between the university authorities.

3.3.3              In all cases access to Internet is provided by commercial Internet Services providers (ISP) such as IBW, Telematix and Datatex, in most cases through 56 or 64 kbps dial-up telephone lines and in a few cases through leased telephone lines (providing 128 Kbps bandwidth) and 128 kbps radio links. Capacities provided by the local ISP are shared with other customers making it difficult -if not possible- to claim fixed portions of bandwidth. According to system managers from UNAN-Managua, UNAN-Leon and UNI, capacities actual offered by the commercial ISP’s are defined by the at that time existing workload at the ISP and often not by the capacity of the link between the university and the ISP.  This situation indicates the existence of heavy congestion in the commercial Internet segments, in particular in the links between the national segments and the outside world. It implies that the universities will not gain from upgrading the capacities of the links to the local ISP in the present set up.

3.3.4              The UNAN-Managua, UNAN-Leon and UNI do have local Internet servers providing access to Internet and/or e-mail to one of more of clusters of PC’s in one or more faculties or departments. Costs for operation and maintenance are in all cases taken care of by the cost centres operating the local servers, so far no internal cost accounting systems for distributing the costs over the actual users are put in place.