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This free-of-charge online course, Disruptive Technologies and Governance in the Digital Era, is provided by LINK in partnership with the ITU Academy. Funded by the EU Global Gateway, the course provides an overview of the technologies and infrastructures underpinning the delivery of telecommunications, broadcasting/audio-visual services, and their corresponding applications and service markets.

The sessions in this course give a non-technical overview of the technologies and infrastructures underpinning the delivery of telecommunications, broadcasting/audio-visual services and their corresponding applications and service markets, including telecommunications and next-generation broadband networks, as well as applications in the broader ecosystem. We review trends and drivers underpinning the growth of digital communications markets, noting the range of emerging technologies coming into common use, from agritech to fintech and smart environments. The sessions aim to give participants a conceptual grasp of the dynamics and developments relevant to the broad digital technology environment and markets, as a foundation for fostering future-oriented policy and regulation. The content is situated within an understanding of technological innovation, market convergence and competition, and a digital ecosystem approach.

Who should attend

Regulatory professionals, regulatory researchers, decision-makers and?professionals active in policy and law-making, in particular those working in relevant ministries/departments, and in regulatory authorities, those engaged in legal drafting and those responsible for parliamentary oversight, should attend this course. In addition, professionals active in the broad electronic communications sector who need greater insight into technological advances, including those in regulatory departments of mobile operators, lawyers, consultants, journalists, union officials, and NGO staff involved in the broad sector should attend. The aim is to explore the constantly evolving technologies and their influences on the dynamic electronic/digital communications environment. 

Entry requirements

An undergraduate degree qualification is preferred. Where the entrant has three or more years active sector experience, this requirement may be waived. 

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:  

• Describe the advances in the technologies and infrastructures underpinning the delivery of telecommunications, broadcasting/audio-visual services, and Internet services and their convergence in the transition to smart environments 
• Discuss the evolution of telecommunications, broadcast and other digital services markets 
• Appreciate the implications of digital technology evolution for the digital divide 
• Assess the implications of emerging digital technologies and market development for policy and regulation 
• Understand the institutional capacities required to work on policy and regulatory challenges 
• Engage in the extensive reading required for policy and regulatory leadership in the digital era 

Course Administrator

Nokhanyo Yolwa, LINK Centre Short Course and Degree Coordinator
nokhanyo.yolwa@wits.ac.za, tel: +27-11-717-4193

Course Convenor

Dr. Ntsibane Ntlatlapa, LINK Centre Associate Professor
ntsibane.ntlatlapa@wits.ac.za  cc: nokhanyo.yolwa@wits.ac.za  

Application for Registration

Registration is open until 13 April 2025
To apply for registration, please create an account with the ITU Academy and then apply here via the online form.