This course is intended for: 

• ICT/Telecom Regulators, Operators (Telecom/Broadcasters) and policymakers engaged in digital transformation efforts worldwide.
• Managers responsible for taking decisions on information systems acquisitions like (IT, switching, and billing).
• Technical staff members working in technical jobs (IT, switching, transmission).

Members of the above-mentioned target population are invited to apply for the training if they meet the following criteria:

• Hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant field and have basic understanding of information & communications technology concepts.
• Possess a fluent level of English.
• Complete the application questionnaire and attach an up-to-date CV.
• Prior experience or involvement in digital projects or initiatives is beneficial but not required.
• Government officials and policymakers from developing countries, particularly women, are encouraged to apply.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: 

• Describe the ICT standards and how they are formulated.
• Clarify how national and international standards are set.
• Explain the elements involved in a telecommunication process in terms of structure and services.
• Discuss the role of regulations and the reason why all players are expected to conform.
• Examine ICT systems and their interoperability.
• Define key terms such as interconnection tariffs or interoperability between mobile wallets of different operators.

This course will include: 

• Weekly interactive live lectures;
• Mandatory (weekly) contributions to forum discussions for each Module’s topics;
• Quizzes after each module;
• Use of Computer simulation connected to the real- world matters and visit a switching, commercial, IT departments of a telecom company to have good grasp of real-life applications of the subject matter.

The schedule of the live lectures is below: 

• Week 1
  • Monday: Live lecture from 1400-1600 CET
  • Wednesday: Live lecture from 1400-1600 CET
• Week 2
  • Monday: Live lecture from 1400-1600 CET
  • Wednesday: Live lecture from 1400-1600 CET
• Week 3
  • Monday: Live lecture from 1400-1600 CET
  • Wednesday: Live lecture from 1400-1600 CET
• Week 4
  • Monday: Live lecture from 1400-1600 CET
  • Wednesday: Live lecture from 1400-1600 CET

The course grading is distributed as follows:

• 4 quizzes: 40%
• 4 discussion forums: 40%
• End of course assignment: 20%

Week 1

• Sessions:
  • Introduction: ICTs and Standards, including the ITU Conformance and Interoperability Programme.
  • Communication elements (revision): definitions, characteristics, and examples.
  • Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs).
  • Standards overview.
• Learning Outcomes:
  • Gain a general overview of ICTs, including key elements and technologies.
  • Develop foundational knowledge and a global perspective on standards.
  • Understand the purpose of standards and the ability to set and enforce them.
• Activities:
  • Live lectures.
  • Forum Discussion 1.
  • Quiz 1.

Week 2

• Sessions:
  • Introduction to standardization and the role of standards.
  • Formulating and setting standards.
  • Compliance and conformity to set standards.
  • Standardization in telecommunications.
  • Managing nonconformity and enforcement.
  • Identifying stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
• Learning Outcomes:
  • Understand the principles of standard formulation and enforcement.
  • Identify key stakeholders and regulatory authorities in standardization.
  • Discuss the implications of compliance and noncompliance.
• Activities:
  • Live lectures.
  • Forum Discussion 2.
  • Quiz 2.

Week 3

• Sessions:
  • The law governing standards and the role of regulators.
  • Overview of various systems (human body, machine, car, computer).
  • Introduction to Information Systems.
• Learning Outcomes:
  • Understand local and international laws related to standards.
  • Identify regulatory bodies for national and international standardization.
  • Explore the interrelationship between stakeholders.
  • Gain an introductory understanding of Information Systems and their components.
• Activities:
  • Live lectures.
  • Forum Discussion 3.
  • Quiz 3.

Week 4

• Sessions:
  • Information systems integration.
  • Systems interoperability.
  • Optional: Computer simulation or telecom visit.
• Learning Outcomes:
  • Grasp the concepts of systems integration and interoperability.
  • Understand how systems work together in practice.
• Activities:
  • Live lectures.
  • Forum Discussion 4.
  • Quiz 4.

End of Course

• Trainee and Trainer Evaluation:
  • Purpose: Evaluate understanding of course material and the effectiveness of delivery.
  • Activity: End-of-course assignment submission.