This sub-project is framed to enable the successful implementation of the 5 sub-projects and the coordination within the PSU. The use of ICTs in all the sub-projects provides a new framework and enormous opportunities for facilitating multi-disciplinary and inter-faculty project interactions and improving community information access and utilization.

However, the ICT infrastructure at MUST is inadequately equipped to fully support eLearning, library services, the CITT, and the International Relations Office. The computer-to-student ratio at MUST stands at 1:15, way below the ideal 1:5 set by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE, 2014). The current bandwidth at MUST stands at 145 Mbps, compared to the expected standard of 27,000 Mbps required by the current university student and staff population (MUST-ICT Status Report, 2020). The university lacks a centralized data repository for research and data management. There is limited technical expertise in existing ICTs to collect, analyze, and disseminate data.

The MUST satellite centers lack timely access to information and related services. There is limited expertise in the integration of environmental observations, digital spatial databases, or energy use information, which would enable rapid transfer of information and the production of analytical reports for stakeholders and the community. ICTs are needed to support youth skilling, innovations, business incubation, and business outsourcing initiatives.

The International Relations Office lacks adequate ICT facilities for international students and visitors. There are no central digital meeting and resource rooms for international mobility short research stays.

This transversal sub-project strongly links with UCoBS objectives to bridge the gap between information poverty and the digital divide by improving information access and utilization through the setting up of ICT infrastructure, building capacity in data management, and the utilization of community-generated information.

Therefore, the expertise sought at the level of the Flemish HEIs to reinforce existing expertise at the local project team is in data science, artificial intelligence, data management, data center design, software engineering, system administration, network administration, and security.

Key activities: ICT capacity building is the primary focus of this project, and it will be done at different levels: for technical staff and researchers. Technical staff will undergo short-term training (train the trainer), while researchers will be supported through other projects by organizing ICT-related engagement events in the relevant areas. The upgrading of ICT infrastructure, the development of data science (AI/ML) curricula, and the development of the internationalization office are critical for this project.