- 103 - and is currently going through a rapid digitalisation phase which is a precursor to 4IR. The COVID-19 pandemic also disrupted the traditional work culture in all spheres of life, including higher education, where some ivory tower procedures are deeply entrenched. The pandemic ignited the pace of digitalisation at Makerere University and the rest of Africa. Through the University’s Digital Transformation Strategy, a number of business processes relating to student academic management, financial management, research grants management, library management, digital learning, university hospital management, human resources management and estate management have been automated and integration of these information systems is underway in order to improve service delivery across the board. The university has also introduced smart classrooms for recording and disseminating multimedia eLearning content. Additionally, the core ICT infrastructure is also being upgraded in order to accommodate the growing user needs for digital services. Besides this, the university has introduced a number of courses in artificial intelligence, big data analytics, blockchain technologies, cloud computing and cybersecurity in order to ready students for the digital data-driven future. Through its National Information Technology Authority (NITA-U), the government of Uganda has also developed and established national e-government frameworks for integrating crosscutting national Information systems and sharing resources amongst government agencies. Through its National backbone project, the government has installed fiber to all government agencies and district headquarters around the country, established a redundant core national fiber link and founded multiple data-centres across the country, among other measures. The aforementioned national statutory instruments and ICT infrastructural projects as well as institutional measures at Makerere (policies, automation, ICT infrastructure and training) are collectively enabling the rapid digitalisation of business processes at Makerere and the country at large. It is through the current trend of digitalisation and ICT infrastructural investment in Uganda’s higher education sector, government and the private sector that Uganda will transition into the 4IR era of business intelligence, data-driven decision making, big-data analytics, robotics, the Internet of Things and AI-powered autonomous technologies. CEO Today Global Awards 2023 - UGANDA - @Makerere | @MakerereNews | @DICTSMakerere www.facebook.com/Makerere www.youtube.com/@dictsmakerere www.mak.ac.ug https://dicts.mak.ac.ug
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