The Sustainable Implementation of a Master’s Programme in IT for Education in a Developing Context

This article gives an account of the joint implementation by the sponsor, the host institution and the partner institution of a master’s programme in Information and Communication Technology for Education at a leading African university in 2005. The success of the programme was such that it became a flagship programme at the institution. In the context of many failed joint implementations of such programmes, the question that arose and that prompted the writing of this article was, “Why did this programme succeed?” The literature indicates two elements that contribute to successful implementations: the individuals responsible for the course, and the support the institution gives. Interviews with the course coordinator, university administrators, alumni and current students, and an analysis of course documents and students’ research output revealed the nature of the activities of certain individuals and also of the institutional support factors that led to the success of the programme. Based on the study conducted, this article provides some suggestions that other implementers of similar projects may find useful.