GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND & REMOTE SENSING CENTRE
Information Communications Technology often refers to as ICT, covers any device or arrangement that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a digital form. For example, personal computers, digital television, email, robots. So, ICT is concerned with the storage, retrieval, manipulation, transmission or receipt of digital data. Importantly, it is also concerned with the way these different uses can work with each other. ICT includes any communication device or application, encompassing: radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such as videoconferencing and distance learning. ICTs are often spoken of in a particular context, such as ICTs in education, health care, local governance or libraries. The Institute of Local Government Studies therefore considers ICT as a key factor in the delivery of its mandate and services to clients.
The ICT Department of ILGS
The ICT department is mandated to cater in general for the ICT needs of staff of the institute. It will achieve this through formulation and design of policies to integrate ICT and data management into all activities of the institute. It therefore ensures meeting the hardware needs of the institute including advice and acquisition as well as upgrade of computer systems including overseeing the establishment of ICT centres of excellence to support both academic and scheme based programmes.
These also include design and setup of networks and databases to ensure scientific capture and documentation in collaboration with the information and documentation center. The department also is responsible for design and development of relevant software and programs to support both academic and training programmes. It also maintains general security systems and responsible for the institute’s website design, upgrade and hosting as well as design tailor-made courses in ICT and computing to be delivered to clients and functionaries of the local government system in Ghana and the sub region.
The Institute desires to maintain a highly motivated team with adequate skills in hardware, software, network and programming to provide direct systems support including frequent overhaul of Institute’s and staff computers and peripherals including printers and scanners. Maintain continuous upgrade and replacement of hardware. Ensure to the barest minimum IT downtimes across workstations and offices and advising management on new trends in ICT to ensure smooth running and keeping pace. Staff guided and ensured they adopting the best practice and standards in using the Institute’s ICT infrastructure for required purposes. Networks availability is key to supporting not only staff research and development but ensure seamless engagement of our clients and stakeholders. As a result, the Institute will ensure campus wide network connectivity (both cables, fiberoptic) and wireless. This will ensure high speed internet broadband (4G) access in every block and office as well as all regional campuses.
With the development of multimedia applications and the increase in computing power, higher networking speeds and different networking techniques may be required in the near future. In this direction the Institute shall take appropriate steps towards securing funds for direct investment in new wiring within buildings of the various faculties and departments as well in anticipation of new building blocks. The campus Wide Area Network (WAN) shall have priority at all times with wireless routers installed across all access points for the benefit of staff, programme facilitators, lecturers and students.