ICT for Humanity: Forging the Bridge between Applied Policy Analysis and Academia
Published on
This presentation will highlight my dual involvement in applied policy analysis and academic research within different domains of ICT for Development (ICT4D). I will describe the challenges posed and opportunities offered by ICT while addressing the major problems of the Global South. When discussing applied policy analysis, I will share examples from ICT in Education, E-Governance, and Telecom Regulatory analyses, reflecting on the importance of impact measurement and evidence based policy research in ICT4D. When discussing ongoing research, I will showcase some of the summary results of three projects that are closely linked to my policy analysis experience. Toward the end of the presentation, I will share some exploratory ideas on the future roles of New Media in transparent governance and empowerment of the disenfranchised. Lastly, I will also present some key aspects of my teaching philosophy and pedagogical practices in the classroom setting.
Faheem Hussain, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of ICT and Computer Science at the Asian University for Women (AUW), Bangladesh. Prior to joining AUW, he was an Assistant Professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Qatar campus. He received his PhD from Carnegie Mellon University in the Department of Engineering & Public Policy, with a focus on technology and development in the South Asian region. His key research interests are Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D), Telecommunications Policy, and New Media. In AUW, Dr. Hussain advises the student-led research group “Technology for Development,” which primarily focuses on understanding the regional development and poverty related problems and finding feasible solutions using ICT or other sustainable technologies. Dr. Hussain also serves as a research fellow for LIRNEasia, a regional think tank on ICT and Telecommunications Policy. As a LIRNEasia fellow, he leads research on measuring telecom sector and regulatory performance in Bangladesh. His other research interests include ICT’s applications in Governance, Health, Privacy, and Gender Empowerment. Besides teaching, he is an active participant of International Telecommunications Union’s Dynamic Coalition on Climate Change and ICT. Dr. Hussain is currently a member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Community Informatics (JoCI) and the Managing Director of iStrategy Ltd., a technology consulting firm.