Directorate of Information & Communication Technology
Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal
Directorate of Information and Communication Technology Services
Connecting Njala University to the global knowledge economy
DICTS · Established 2014
Introduction
Njala University embarked on an ambitious project, with the support of external partners, to integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in all its functions as one of the critical elements of its strategic plan. Within the context of this plan, the vision of ICT is:
“University wide access to, and utilisation of Information and Communication Technology to enhance the position of Njala University as a centre of academic excellence and its contribution to the sustainable development of society.”
In recognition of the global scarcity of ICT expertise, and to contain escalating costs that would result from multiple hiring of such expertise, the Directorate of Information and Communication Technology Services (DICTS) was established in 2014, under the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, as a central service unit to provide expert services and guidance to all academic and administrative units of the University.
At a Glance
2014
Year Established
Office of the Vice-Chancellor
14
Staff Members
Njala, Bo & Freetown
5
Core Service Areas
Policy to Infrastructure
2018–2028
ICT Master Plan
Current Policy Phase
Vision and Mission
Our Vision
To use ICT optimally with the view to increasing efficiency and quality among both staff and students, and endeavour to fit into the global information and knowledge economies.
Our Mission
To provide high quality, cost-effective, efficient and effective management information systems that support the University’s scholars, students, teachers and administrators, and enhance the University’s contribution to the sustainable development of society.
Functions of the Directorate
I.
Policy Support and Advocacy
- Serving as the secretariat and administrative arm of the University ICT Committee.
- Day-to-day ICT Policy and Master Plan interpretation for users.
- Offering ICT awareness workshops to user units to facilitate understanding of the benefits of integrating ICT into all University functions within the context of the ICT Policy and Master Plan.
- Recommending policy and policy objective adjustments to the ICT Committee.
II.
Infrastructure, Services and Capacity Building
- Develop, implement and manage a new distributed Internet network to provide a more robust, efficient and secure University-wide infrastructure.
- Provide enhanced and expanded ICT services to meet the growing needs of departments and units in the University, and support schools, departments and units in providing secure and reliable ICT operations.
- Manage University-wide agreements for quality ICT products and services to reduce cost and increase the value of the University’s IT hardware, software and services.
- Provide ICT baseline audit, mapping and selective benchmarking efforts guided by a clear vision and goals, to make policymaking more focused and effective.
- Promote innovative use of ICT that adds value to the administrative and academic environment of the University — for example, the online portal and e-learning platforms.
- Provide ICT capacity building to staff and students.
III.
ICT Master Plan Implementation
Project formulation and sourcing of funds within the context of the ICT Master Plan; liaison with external development partners and ICT consultants; and project planning and management support to the Project Committees set up for the various projects under the Master Plan.
The Directorate also offers ICT planning, design, procurement, installation and maintenance guidance and support to all user units. This applies to software and hardware under the Njala University ICT Policy Master Plan phase (2018–2028).
IV.
Management, Control and Maintenance of ICT Resources
Ownership, management, control and maintenance of the University’s ICT resources. These include the backbone and all backbone points of presence, as well as the Network Operations Centre (NOC), which incorporates email and Internet/intranet services.
The Directorate also manages, controls and maintains ICT resources owned by the units responsible for the main systems and databases. This includes centrally located servers for databases and software supporting:
- Academic Records Information System
- Library Information System
- Finance Information System
- Human Resource Information System
Further responsibilities cover the development, implementation and monitoring of access policy, security policy and service level agreements, together with website design, development and maintenance.
V.
Learning Resource Centre
Providing technology and application foresight for the University, so that user units can leverage technology to maximum advantage while minimising the risks of obsolescence.
Leadership
Head of Directorate
Dr. Thomas Philip Songu
Director of Information & Communication Technology
Currently on leave
Phone
Njala Campus
While the Director is on leave, please direct ICT enquiries to the DICTS Helpdesk.
Our Team
The Directorate is served by a team of 14 ICT professionals based across the Njala, Bo and Freetown locations. Select a name to view the full staff profile.
Mr. Ishmael Kamara
ICT Officer
Njala Campus At post
Mr. Gerald Morana
Hardware Technician
Bo Campus At post
Mr. Jamiru Karbai
ICT Assistant
Bo Campus At post
Mr. Donald Morgan
Principal Technician
Freetown At post
Ms. Elizabeth Manna
Help Desk
Njala Campus Study leave
Where to Find Us
DICTS Administration
Office of the Vice-Chancellor
University Secretariat
Njala Campus, Njala
Internet Centre & Network Operations Centre
University Library
Njala Campus, Njala
Need ICT Support?
Our Helpdesk is available to staff and students across all campuses.
Helpdesk Telephone
Helpdesk Email
Head of Directorate
Director, ICT · [email protected]
Currently on leave — please contact the Helpdesk.