International Journal of Education and Development using ICT

International Journal of Education and Development using ICT > Vol. 1, No. 3 (2005)

An ICT-hub model for rural communities

S. J. Jacobs, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa
Marlien Elizabeth Herselman, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa

Abstract
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has the potential to change new and old forms of economic activity. This can result in e-literate groups, low skilled or low paid workers, unemployed people, sole parents, and those with disabilities that do not have access to these ICT?s. However, it is likely therefore that assisting people to improve their access to and skills in ICT will be an important means for a Government to grow an inclusive, innovative economy for the benefit of a country. Therefore the ICT-Hub model or mechanism for integrated service delivery to rural communities may be applied for this purpose. An ICT-Hub can be seen as a sustainable physical centre with the necessary infrastructure to provide generic services like tele-centres, desktop publishing, business support, application development, training and information services to the community.Communities and locations with poor Internet availability are likely to be considered less favourable places for economic investments, thereby limiting enterprise development and job creation and restricting the growth of SMEs, currently seen as a key driver of economic growth. ICT-Hub provides a structure, which enables communities to manage their own development, by providing access to appropriate information, facilities, resources, training and services.

Full Text: HTML | PDF

Research
Support Tool