ICT CURRICULA IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN EUROPE

Abstract

This report summarizes preliminary insights from a 12 months service contract awarded by the European Commission to INSEAD to design European e-competence curricula development guidelines taking into account the crucial role of Universities in developing ecompetences of both those entering the workforce (e.g., from Higher Education) and those from the existing workforce. This study started in January 2009. We have grouped insights into four sections: 1. Defining demand for e-competences; 2. Developing e-competent ICT practitioners, managers and entrepreneurs; 3. The role of Universities in developing curricula for e-competences; and 4. Emerging critical success factors from the formal education sector. Within each section, in addition to summarizing key findings, we include short descriptions of especially notable examples ("vignettes") and we propose subsequent actions for applying our preliminary findings towards the project's next phase, developing curriculum development guidelines ("action items"). Many of the action items describe how we plan to build on our findings with two surveys: one of Chief Information Officers and the other of Universities. The results from the service contract will be especially relevant to senior executives who want to increase the strategic value of their ICT investments by having more e-competent managers; Universities that want to tap into the growing demand from firms for ecompetences by providing opportunities for developing e-competences; and policy makers and institutions that want to help firms and Universities reduce the skills gap.