This sub-project aims to:

1. Support ARU in digitizing core operations to be able to transversally support the other sub-projects in ICT related services:

- strengthening datacenter, server, storage, network infrastructure and human capacity (sine qua non)

- multimedia lab (content creation for trainings, stakeholder engagement, etc.)

- e-learning/blended learning platform (incl. human capacity building) as a sustainable alternative to one-off workshops and trainings;

- library automation (enabling academic literature research)

- providing technical support and training (pilot site setup & maintenance)

This will be done in synergy with existing ARU digital transformation plans (e.g. HEET - Higher Education for Economic Transformation – project, World Bank)

2. Build fundamental research and strategic capacity on smart sustainable and inclusive cities (SSIC) at ARU, that will make the University a center of excellence in supporting developing cities. We will:

- provide postgraduate training and outreach activities

- investigate underlying concepts and components of smart sustainable cities in developing countries

- investigate how a city can strategize on adopting SSIC in policy making; taking into consideration the ICT capacities at the local government and of citizens, gender, and environment. (PhD 1)

- explore issues of open data governance including developing data sharing standards, and a city data architecture to support integration and interoperability of various smart ICT solutions. (PhD 2)

3. Create a living lab and participatory policy making environment for SSIC. For this, we will work with other IUC sub-projects to:

- develop methodologies based on citizen science approaches for engagement of stakeholders in the quadruple helix, in co-creation, piloting, monitoring and evaluation of prototypes of SSIC tools, platforms, solutions and policies

- to facilitate engagement among stakeholders such as community members, researchers, and service providers in the government and private sectors.

- develop ICT tools to enhance their research capacity.

- use ICT to improve information dissemination practices, as the communities will be made aware of the developed ICT smart solutions.

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ARDHI UNIVERSITY

African Centre for Sustainable Cities Studies