Maastricht
Netherlands
- Angel Draev
- Ghazi Mabrouk
- Praachi Kumar
- Jose L. CERVERA-FERRI
- Mindel van de Laar
Advanced
Event Organizer(s)
Supported by
Description
This summer school aims to strengthen technical and thematic capabilities on evidence-based digital policies to achieve Universal and Meaningful Connectivity. Participants will learn to interpret and use ICT statistics for developing, implementing and evaluating evidence-based digital policies. Through lectures, interactive and hands-on sessions, they will engage with experts on issues related to digital policies, and ICT statistics and maps, generating and applying evidence-based insights to inform and communicate policy-relevant issues on ICTs and digital technology.
With support from the Global Gateway initiative of the European Union, this course is offered free of charge for selected participants, including accommodation, meals and extracurricular activities. Participants or their organizations must cover travel to Maastricht and any visa costs.
This training course is intended for:
- Government Officials responsible for digital policies in ministries and telecommunications regulatory authorities.
- Policy analysts from national and regional organisations in the field of telecommunication regulation.
- Data analysts, researchers, and policymakers.
Members of the above-mentioned target population are invited to apply for the training if they meet the following criteria:
- Hold a graduate degree in a relevant field and have a minimum of two years of experience in using statistics for digital policies. Candidates with an undergraduate degree and a minimum of five years of relevant experience may be considered.
- Possess a fluent level of English
Government officials and policymakers from developing countries, particularly women, are encouraged to apply.
Selection will be conducted by the course organizers, who will consider the above entry requirements along with an analysis of the application questionnaire of each applicant. The application and accompanying documents should be submitted in English.
The number of available places for the cohort is limited to 30.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the economic, social and environmental opportunities and threats of digital development and the role of digital policies to achieve the SDGs through Universal and Meaningful Connectivity.
- Interpret data on ICT infrastructure, connectivity quality, affordability, access, usage, and skills.
- Use ICT statistics (statistical reports, research papers) to inform and evaluate digital policy decisions.
- Produce impactful data-driven presentations on country cases.
The course is organised over one week with a blend of interactive lectures and empirical exercises. The elements have been carefully chosen to provide an overview of the most important and emerging aspects of ICT statistics.
The course features interactive lectures, empirical exercises, networking events, group-based peer learning, presentation sessions, case study applications, and supplementary readings for deeper understanding. Upon selection, participants must complete the following online self-paced training courses on ITU Academy before attending the in-person training:
Training materials, including presentations and readings will be made available through the ITU Academy Learning Platform.
During the course, participants will engage in hands-on exercises in allotted groups. At the end of the week, groups are invited to present their country case, in the form of a poster, to experts and to their peers.
Participants will be required to take active part in all the activities of the Summer School. At the end of the course, participants will receive an ITU and UNU-MERIT certificate of completion.
Attendance
- Participants must attend all of the sessions to meet the attendance requirement.
Certification Criteria
- Active participation: 40% of the total score.
- Course assignment (poster presentation): 60% of the total score.
Assignments
- Content: 50% of the total score.
- Clarity and logic: 20% of the total score.
- Structure: 10% of the total score.
- Punctuality: 10% of the total score.
- Engagement: 10% of the total score.
A minimum total of 70% is required to obtain the course certificate
Day 1: Monday, 8 June
09:00 – 10:00
Welcome Session
10:00 – 10:30
Break
10:30 - 11:00
The concept of Universal and Meaningful Connectivity (UMC) and its statistical monitoring framework
- Explain the multidimensional concept of UMC
- Identify UMC as a policy principle
- Examine the statistical framework to monitor progress towards UMC and its history
- Analyse other monitoring frameworks (SDGs, WSIS, Broadband Commission targets, etc.)
11:00 - 12:30
The contribution of digital technologies in achieving the SDGs
- Explore the interactions between the 17 SDGs and Digital Technology
- Identify opportunities for digital technologies in achieving SDGs
- Examine risks associated with digital technology development and adoption
12:30 – 14:00
Walking Lunch Through Maastricht
14:00 – 15:30
Overview of ICT statistics and associated international standards
- Differentiate between domains and sources of ICT statistics
- Identify challenges in ICT statistics production in developing countries
- Outline international standards for ICT statistics
15:30 – 16:00
Break
16:00 – 17:00
Introduction to the group work
- Identify central ICT-related issues for a given country context
- Evaluate and map data sources
- Analyse characteristics of indicators and measurement challenges
17:30 – 18:30
Networking Event
19:00 – 20:30
Dinner
Day 2: Tuesday, 9 June
09:00 – 10:30
Introduction to public policies and governance in the field of ICT
- Recognise human development objectives in ICT policy development
- Understand evidence-based ICT governance
- Identify global regulatory frameworks for ICT policies
10:30 – 11:00
Break
11:00 – 12:30
Quantitative assessment of Digital policies: the ITU G5 Benchmark and the ITU Regulatory Tracker
- Understand the G5 Benchmark and the ITU Regulatory Tracker as assessment tools
12:30 – 13:30
Lunch
13:30 – 14:30
Infrastructure and connectivity quality indicators
- Examine main indicators for infrastructure networks
- Outline economic indicators for telecommunication services
- Present ICT service price indicators
14:30 – 14:45
Break
14:45 – 15:30
Infrastructure maps
- Examine ICT Infrastructure connectivity maps
- Use ITU resources to compile and visualise connectivity maps
- Explore geospatial evidence on ICT infrastructure
15:30 – 16:00
Break
16:00 – 17:00
Analysis of Indicators
- Apply ICT statistics on infrastructure and connectivity
- Evaluate meaningful and universal connectivity measures
- Explain the usefulness and limitations of ICT statistics
17:30 – 19:00
Networking Event
19:00 – 21:00
Dinner
Day 3: Wednesday, 10 June
09:00 – 10:30
Economic aspects of digital policies
- Analyse the economic impact of digital policies
- Evaluate the role of digital skills development
- Interpret data on business uptake of digital technologies
10:30 – 11:00
Presentation on the Measurement of Prices of ICT Services
- Understand the methodology for international comparison of the price and affordability of ICT services using the basket approach
- Identify challenges in the production of ICT price statistics
- Explore the relationship between the regulatory environment, affordability, ICT access and use
11:00 – 11:30
Break
11:30 – 13:00
Socioeconomic challenges and the digital divide
- Interpret inclusion challenges related to the digital divide
- Recognise data dimensions in the digital age
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch
14:00 – 15:00
Statistics on household access and individual use of ICT
- Standards for ICT access indicators
- Methodological aspects of household surveys
- Challenges of surveys in developing countries
15:00 – 15:30
Break
15:30 – 16:30
Comparative Analysis of ICT Adoption
- Examine the economic impacts of ICT adoption
- Apply insights from case studies to improve digital participation
- Develop actionable strategies for digital skills improvement
17:30 – 19:00
Networking Event
19:00 – 21:00
Dinner
Day 4: Thursday, 11 June
09:00 – 10:30
Use of statistics for evidence-based digital policies
- Interpret ICT indicators
- Apply ICT statistics for policymaking
- Advocate for improved statistical practices
10:30 – 11:00
Break
11:00 – 12:30
Translating Analysis of ICT Data for Public Policy
- Interpret and analyse data
- Apply ICT statistics to country specific challenges
- Evaluate policy development and apply critical thinking
12:30 – 13:30
Lunch
13:30 – 14:00
Presentation of ITU studies
- "The impact of digital transformation on the economy – Econometric Modelling, 2025" and “An Overview of digital service taxation, 2025", and data sources.
14:00 – 15:30
Presentation Preparation
15:30 – 16:00
Break
16:00 – 17:00
Presentation Preparation [Cont.]
19:30 – 21:00
Dinner
Day 5: Friday, 12 June
09:00 – 10:30
Presentations
10:30 – 11:00
Break
11:00 – 12:30
Presentations (cont.)
12:30 – 13:30
Closing Lunch
13:30 – 14:00
- Photo Moment
- Course Evaluation
14:00 – 15:00
Closing Ceremony
- Award of poster pitch winner
- Award of certificates
Financial support available
With the financial support of the Global Gateway initiative of the European Union, ITU will cover training costs, accommodation for 5 nights, meals and training activities.
Tutors
Registration information
Unless specified otherwise, all ITU Academy training courses are open to all interested professionals, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, economic status and other diverse backgrounds. We strongly encourage registrations from female participants, and participants from developing countries. This includes least developed countries, small island developing states and landlocked developing countries.
