ID

Milestone

Technical Specifications

1

Inception Report

An Inception Report will assess the current status of SUA’s ICT system, and identify what is needed to establish a modern, well-maintained, and sustainable ICT system that will effectively serve the training, research and administrative needs of SUA. The report will include current and proposed network designs and drawings, identifying infrastructure, hardware, software, and training needs. The report will identify how planned investments to improve these areas will enhance SUA’s learning, teaching, research and administrative functions. The report will address the risks to meeting project goals, including those identified in the 2011 Public Financial Management Risk Assessment Framework (PFMRAF) Report conducted by Deloitte, and how those risks will be addressed. The report will also specify how the project’s planned investments will be properly maintained and secured (physical and network security) in the coming years, in order to maximize impact and sustainability. The report will include a performance management plan using USAID indicators where appropriate.

2

ICT Policy Implementation Plan

Update, revise and adopt ICT Policy and implementation plan. An implementation plan for SUA’s updated ICT Policy will specify activities necessary in order to improve ICT project governance, ICT procurement, ICT human resources, hardware/software platforms, ICT change management, and ICT systems security. The implementation plan will include a timeline, resources and responsible parties for achieving activities required to successfully implement SUA’s updated ICT Policy, which is currently being developed and reviewed by SUA and affected stakeholders. Print, distribute and make e-copies of the ICT Policy available to students, faculty and staff.

3

Outfitting the buildings at SUA to improve connectivity for research, teaching, and administrative functions.

Replacement of fiber-optic cable, with securely protected fiber backbone connecting all buildings.

4

Establish single unified network across all campuses and training facilities by installing network equipment inside buildings.

Network connections installed, switches and routers configured. Two campuses linked with efficient, protected and secure wired and wireless connection.

5a

Rehabilitating and fully equipping the existing computer laboratories and their network infrastructure.

Renovation of Computer Lab MCLB2 at SUA Main campus (Year 1).

5b

Rehabilitating and fully equipping the existing computer laboratories and their network infrastructure.

Equipping of Computer Lab SMCCLAB at SMC Campus (Year 1).

5c

Rehabilitating and fully equipping the existing computer laboratories and their network infrastructure (Year 2).

Renovation of Computer Lab SGBLB1 at SMC Campus (Year 2).

5d

Rehabilitating and fully equipping the existing computer laboratories and their network infrastructure (Year 2).

Renovation of Computer Lab SGBLB2 at SMC Campus (Year 2).

5e

Rehabilitating and fully equipping the existing computer laboratories and their network infrastructure (Year 2).

Renovation of Computer Lab SGBLB3 at SMC Campus (Year 2).

6a

Establish a functional and effective SUA Email system for all Academic and non-academic staff.

Secure Email system accounts established for SUA Staff to effectively communicate. 

6b

Establish a functional and effective SUA Email system for all Academic and non-academic staff (Year 2).

Secure Email system accounts established for SUA Staff to effectively communicate. (Year 2)

7a

Establishing video conferencing to facilitate distance learning/teaching and interface with international organizations.

Video conferencing facilities installed and secured at main Campus.

7b

Establishing video conferencing to facilitate distance learning/teaching and interface with international organizations.

Video conferencing facilities installed and secured at Solomon Mahlangu Campus.

8a

Acquiring and installing electric power backup in the server rooms and computer laboratories for equipment protection and uninterrupted teaching.

Electric power backup and UPS for server rooms and computer labs acquired, installed, secure and functioning.

8b

Acquiring and installing electric power backup in the server rooms and computer laboratories for equipment protection and uninterrupted teaching (Year 2).

Electric power backup and UPS for server rooms and computer labs acquired, installed, secure, and functioning (Year 2).

9

Establish recovery rooms to avoid data loss and improve reliability of connectivity.

A fully functional and secure recovery room and an automated data backup schedule established.

10

Acquire, install and configure servers for use in teaching, research, outreach and administrative functions.

Servers for e-mails, e-learning, students records, website, and teaching material acquired, installed, configured, secured, and functioning.

11a

Install a free and open-source software (FOSS)-based Information System.

FOSS-based IT system identified, acquired, customized and functioning for University students and faculty.

11b

Install a FOSS-based Information System (Year 2).

FOSS-based IT system identified, acquired, customized and functioning for University students and faculty. (Year 2).

12

Conduct a study on how to deploy an Integrated Information system at SUA.

Study report completed, and an implementation plan on a fully integrated and reliably working information system developed. The report and implementation plan will address the integration of student information systems, examination processing, human resource management, financial information systems, library information systems, research, project and consultancy systems, procurement and asset management, health information systems, document tracking systems, and security information systems. Report and implementation plan will include recommended options for SUA to pursue, with a schedule of activities and associated cost estimates.

13a

Hold workshops to create awareness among staff and students on Free and Open Source Software (FOSS).

A workshop / seminar conducted so that staff and students (at least 60 participants receive a minimum of two days of training) are educated and aware of Free and Open Source Software.

13b

Hold workshops to create awareness among staff and students on Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) (Year 2).

A workshop / seminar conducted so that staff and students (at least 60 participants receive a minimum of two days of training) are educated and aware of Free and Open Source Software (Year 2).

14a

Training of staff and students to provide reliable services and sustainability.

At least 200 staff and students adequately trained on ICT systems- competence in the use of FOSS and ability to effectively use information systems will be evidenced by the successful completion of the training course.

14b

Training of staff and students to provide reliable services and sustainability (Year 2).

At least 200 staff and students adequately trained on ICT systems- competence in the use of FOSS and ability to effectively use information systems will be evidenced by the successful completion of the training course (Year 2).

15a

Training of ICT Technical staff to provide reliable, sustainable services.

ICT technical staff trained on proper management and security of ICT systems (CISCO Networking, FOSS Systems Administration, etc.). At least 2 trainings conducted, and at least 4 SUA technical staff trained in Linux /Unix system administration and as Certified Cisco Network Associates (CCNA).

15b

Training of ICT Technical staff to provide reliable, sustainable services (Year 2).

ICT technical staff trained on proper management and security of ICT systems (CISCO Networking, FOSS Systems Administration, etc.). At least 2 trainings conducted, and at least 4 SUA technical staff trained in Linux /Unix system administration and as Certified Cisco Network Associates (CCNA). (Year 2).

16

Conduct a study on retention mechanisms for ICT staff.

A study report completed and an implementation plan on retention mechanisms for ICT staff established. Report and implementation plan will include recommended options for SUA to pursue, with a schedule of activities and associated cost estimates.