This proposal seeks to create links between the University of Iowa (in partnership with Kirkwood Community College) and multiple Nigerian universities via the Nigerian National Universities Commission.

We will work with the NUC and participating universities to identify pressing and common IT needs of the universities, help them to work together to develop similar systems for cross-compatibility, and then develop training programs which emphasize computer-based training (CBT), workshops, and vendor and NUC standardized certifications.

We propose to carry out national trainings in the areas of network design and management, multimedia development, Web site creation and management, end-user training, and the use of standard desktop applications. These would be delivered to technical support staff and information technology professionals.

We will work to identify U.S. private sector partners who can provide training materials, software donations or low-cost licensing, and technical support to Nigerian universities.

Recognizing the past failures of schemes that involve universities sending select staff overseas for lengthy training and then losing them to the private sector, this project will emphasize delivering large-scale, cost-effective training in Nigeria (what Nigerians would call "on seat" training) to over 80 participants.

A great emphasis will be placed on training participants to teach the skills they acquire in the program. They will be introduced to practical pedagogical skills and required to make presentations to their peers in the program. All participants will be encouraged and assisted (remotely) as they conduct training at their home institutions.