Information and Communication Technology (ICT) lessons should not be an option but rather compulsory for college and university students, an expert has suggested.

Dr Krishnalal Coonjan, a Mauritian ICT specialist, urged the government to have special focus on the core subjects which aim at making it easier to achieve aspiration of technology driven economy.

Coonjan who is also the executive director of national productivity and competitiveness council of Mauritius was among delegates who attended the ‘Connect Africa’ summit which concluded on Tuesday in Kigali.

"If the Rwandan Government wants its citizens to attain new jobs in ICT domains, then their education or trainings should focus on this need,” he said.

Another important aspect, he said, is developing a society of adults who are able to use ICT independently.

This is important in a field where change is a normal and continuous, he explained.

He added that technology is constantly developing and extending, then competent users have to be able to cope with this process.

At work, they (adults) will have to learn how to use the new versions of ICT applications while at home they teach their families about the new technical products.

"In order to be an independent user, it is essential to learn how to transfer experience, knowledge and skills to new situations,” Coonjan said.

He said that the implementation of the ICT compulsory studies requires a clear curriculum of which the government has to immediately set up a team of technocrats to create.

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