Master of Management in ICT Policy & Regulation Who should attend? Entry requirements Objectives Methodology Curriculum & Schedule Fees Venue Contacts To apply Course brochure (pdf format) Application Form Course extranet - students only

Master of Management in ICT Policy & Regulation Empowering you for policy and regulation in the ICT sector! The next intake for this degree will be in January 2013. The Graduate School of Public & Development Management and the LINK Centre at the University of the Witwatersrand are proud to offer this CHE-accredited Master of Management in ICT Policy and Regulation degree programme. The seventh intake for this innovative degree will commence in January 2011. The degree of Master of Management in the field of ICT Policy and Regulation aims to provide a formal post-graduate academic qualification for senior staff engaged in policy-formulation and regulation of information communications technologies, a sector which is currently undergoing rapid change and experiencing continued expansion. This degree is designed to meet the needs not only of policy-makers, regulators and operators, but also of communication managers of large and small organisations, user and consumer groups, NGOs and others involved in or affected by ICT sector policy and regulation. The programme will provide an opportunity for participants to improve their professional skills or refocus their expertise in the field of ICT policy and regulation within a developing country context. The course provides an opportunity for participants to: expand and update their knowledge of ICT policy and regulation; test and explore new ideas and experiences; interact and network with leading academics and practitioners; reflect on their personal goals, values and career path.

Contact P&DM Admissions Office, tel: + 27 11 717-3645 / 3520, for more information.

For a copy of the course brochure, click here.

Who should attend?

This Master's degree is designed for middle to senior level managers and practitioners working in the broad ICT sector across Africa - telecommunications industry; IT industry; broadcasting; trade unions; regulatory associations; government policy departments including communications, trade and industry, science and technology; science councils; university teaching departments; public sector ICT organisations, consumer advocates and the development sector.

Entry requirements

The MM (ICT PR) is a professional management qualification. As well as an honours degree or equivalent, you will need to have at least three years of relevant work experience. This may be salaried or voluntary but must include organisational experience, either in management or in policy design. RPL (recognition of prior learning) may be requested on an individual basis.

The following criteria are applied in the evaluation of applications for acceptance:

• a bachelor's degree with honours, or post-graduate diploma or equivalent, preferably in the field of information and communications technologies, achieved at a suitable level;
  
• at least three years' working experience in an appropriate field;
  
• satisfactory completion of admissions tests measuring ability on cognitive, arithmetic and general reasoning.

Objectives

By the end of the course, the successful student will be able to:

• demonstrate an advanced understanding of a comparative range of information and communications technology policy and regulatory frameworks;
• apply high-level conceptual and analytical tools to the ICT policy and regulatory environment in African and developing country contexts;
• critically analyse, assess and evaluate the complex and rapidly changing ICT organisational, regulatory and policy environment;
• undertake and present critical comparison of the African ICT environment with international models and best practice benchmarks;
• undertake advanced independent research into ICT issues, and formulate and present appropriate results and conclusions.

Methodology

This is a research-intensive degree, comprising 50% course work and a 50% research report.

An intensive and interactive teaching methodology is used on the course work component, comprised of several learning methods including lectures, syndicate group work, case studies, structured online learning activities, as well as presentations from local and international experts in the field. Intensive reading preparation is required, with assessment either by written exam-equivalent assignment or examination. In this way participants will develop a strong practical focus, directly applicable to their own organisations, that prepares them to engage with policy and regulatory matters in the ICT sector.

Curriculum & Schedule

The curriculum for the Master of Management in ICT Policy and Regulation comprises 10 course-work modules (2 Fundamental courses, 7 Core courses and 1 Elective course - comprising 50% of the assessment) and a compulsory research report (comprising the remaining 50% of the assessment).

Candidates are recommended to take three years to complete the degree, especially if they are in full-time employment, but one and two year options are also possible. A maximum period of study of five years to complete the degree is allowed.

Candidates are expected to complete the 10 coursework modules, which are scheduled in 4 or 5 day blocks, usually over a period of 2 years. The following courses are usually completed in year 1: PADM7006, PADM5074, PADM7008, PADM7007, PADM5080. The remaining courses are usually completed in year 2, viz: PADM5078, PADM5077, PADM5086, PADM7005 and the elective course.

Candidates are expected to complete the 35 000 - 40 000 word research report component, usually in the third year, but within a further maximum of 2 years. The research report provides a solid foundation for those students wishing to proceed to PhD studies in this field.

A schedule of modules and dates for 2011 is provided below (please note that the clickable links will give you access to course outlines from 2010 - updated outlines are made available at the time of course delivery):

Fees 2010

The full fee schedule for students registered on the MM(ICTPR) degree for 2011 can be obtained from the Finance Office (+27 (11) 717 1533 / 34 / 35 / 36 / 37 / 38 / 46) - fees for 2011 are approximately R 3 600 per course, R 19 700 for the research report. International students are required to pay a statutory additional international registration fee.

Registrations for non-degree purposes to attend individual courses are also accepted. In such cases, a fee of R 10 000 (plus VAT) per course applies.

Venue

All lectures are held at the LINK Centre, Graduate School of Public and Development Management campus, Mwalimu House, 2 St David's Place, Parktown.

For a map showing accommodation in the vicinity, click here.

Contacts

Your degree convenor for 2011 is Charley Lewis (+ 27 11 717-3652), who can assist with academic queries. The P&DM Admissions Office (tel: + 27 11 717-3645 / 3520) will assist with your application for admission.

To apply

Applications for registration require you to complete and submit a downloadable application form, together with supporting documentation (brief curriculum vitae, transcripts of previous academic achievements, etc). You will also be required to complete an admissions test. Click here for a list of test dates. Taken together, these allow us to undertake a balanced assessment of your suitability for the programme.

Click here for a more detailed Guide to Applications.

Past research topics

Research reports undertaken by (MM(ICTPR) students have focused on some of the following topics:

• ADSL Uptake and Regulatory Intervention in South Africa
• A comparative perspective on interconnection in India and South Africa
• Business models in Africa 's undersea cable market
• Independence as an effective pillar to regulation in the Nigerian telecommunications sector
• Concurrent jurisdiction in the telecommunications sector in South Africa
• Access to Information
• Applying lessons from bulk infrastructure policy to ICT infrastructure
• Effects of communications sector reform on network technology deployment in Lesotho
• Evaluating the WASPA Code of Conduct
• ICT use in female-headed households
• ICT4D and the developmental state
• Interconnection rates and the community payphone model
• Mobile number portability in South Africa
• Open access models and undersea cables
• Telecoms reform in Mozambique
• The effect of investing in ICTs on the profitability of SMMEs
• The impact of new media on public service broadcasting
• Universal service and access policy in South Africa

Contact the LINK Centre for more information.

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