IT Expert for modifying GITC's existing IT curriculum programs

TERMS OF REFERENCE

I. General:

Title:   IT Expert for modifying the Gyumri Information Technologies  Center's  (GITC's) existing information technology curriculum programs.                              

Project:     Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals (TOKTEN)

Duration:         six months 

Duty Station:     Gyumri, Armenia

Background

UNDP Diaspora Integration Proposal document contains two different proposals, each for one UNDP Diaspora professional to integrate with the Gyumri Information Technologies Center's (GITC's) development activities. The first proposal is for modifying the Center's existing information technology curriculum programs. The second proposal is for developing new incubation and research programs. Both programs have an ultimate goal of bringing more employment to Armenia's depressed Northern Region and address the economic aftershocks still present in the earthquake zone.

Currently the GITC offers two IT oriented curricula: electrical engineering, focusing on VLSI chip design; and software development, focusing on web applications. These curricula have been well received, but several structural limitations prevent academically qualified students from participating. This severely limits economic growth in the earthquake zone.

This proposal has three main sections: a discussion of the current situation, a statement of work, and position qualifications.

Current Situation

Although both the electrical engineering and software development curricula have produced the kind of qualified, employable graduates necessary for recovery of the economically depressed Northern Region, these programs have structural impairments which limit the benefits these programs could provide. Some of these impairments are:

- Full-Time Only Schedule: If these programs could be scheduled part-time, for example allowing matriculation in double the time with only a 20 hour per week study schedule, more students would participate.

- Lack of Accreditation: Students put in more course hours then required for a Masters degree at the State Engineering University of Armenia, for example, but do not receive an official diploma. This hampers a student's ability to pursue further education.

- Vendor Specific Focus: The curriculum has excellent depth with a detailed, market drive focus, but insufficient breadth to cover more then one or two specific technologies. Employers with technology slightly different then those used in the classroom find it difficult to take advantage of program graduates.

- Insufficient Electives: All students in the same program follow the exact same schedule of classes. The curricula do not accommodate the expected variances in abilities, knowledge, and skills that are always present in a mixture of students from different academic and socio-economic backgrounds.

Statement of Work

The GITC has performed some preliminary work with external entities in pursuit of addressing the current curriculum limitations. This work, however, has not been institutionalized. The GITC proposes that the UNDP provide a Diaspora member to perform the following tasks as necessary for implementing changes:

- Review the results of current curriculum modification efforts.

- Compare the GITC curriculum with other national and international programs in similar fields.

- Interview employers, students, and other stakeholders to determine needs and objectives unmet by the current curriculum.

- Survey internationally recognized institutions offering accreditation and identify a suitable vehicle for the GITC's purposes.

- Propose modifications to the curriculum resolving the limitations mentioned previously and incorporating guidance from the above sources.

- Supervise the implementation of the modified curriculum.

- The ultimate goal of this work is to make curriculum modifications available to incoming freshman starting September, 2009.

Qualifications

The following paragraphs discuss the minimum and desired requirements anticipated to implement the preceding statement of work:

Minimum Qualification Requirements

- Masters of the Arts in Education for college level students.

- Masters of the Arts in Business Administration with an Information Technology concentration.

- Masters of Science in Computer Science.

- Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering.

- A minimum of two years experience in course delivery and development in either an academic or industrial setting.

- A minimum of one year of experience in educational program development in either an academic or industrial setting.

Desired Qualification Requirements

- PhD in any of the previously mentioned degree programs.

- Five years experience as a faculty member and two years experience as a department chair at a college or university in a Computer Science or Electrical Engineering department.

- Direct experience with accreditation of a Masters level academic program.

- Demonstrated ability to manage both hardware and software focused curricula.

Applications can be submitted through http://globalarmenia.am/, http://oc.undp.am/?go=vacancies websites.

A complete application form should consist of a letter of motivation, full CV. 

Submit your application

                                                                    Application Deadline:  15 January 2009, 18:00

Only short listed applicants will be contacted.

Women candidates are encouraged to apply

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