Maastricht
Netherlands
- E-Waste
- Emergency telecommunication
- Digital transformation
- English
- Lili Wang
- Angel Draev
- Ghazi Mabrouk
- Praachi Kumar
Introductory
Event organizer(s)
Supported by
Description
This summer school is designed to introduce participants to the concept of sustainable digital transformation through various subtopics, including emerging digital technologies, digital farming, and e-waste management.
Participants will become proficient in the use of the terminology related to digital transformation and sustainability through lectures and interactive sessions. Additionally, they will explore academic literature covering topics such as emerging digital technologies, sustainable agriculture, digital farming, e-waste management, and the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and sustainability.
With the generous support of the Global Gateway initiative of the European Union, participation in this training is provided free of charge for selected applicants. This includes accommodation, meals, and extracurricular activities. Participants or their organizations will be responsible for covering their travel expenses to Maastricht, Netherland and if necessary visa application costs. Participants or their organizations are responsible for covering the costs of travel expenses to and from their home country to city, country as well as visa expenses and insurance.
This summer school is an introductory training course targeted to government officials and policy makers working in digital transformation and sustainability globally. 
The number of available places for this course is 30.
This course is open to participants that fulfil the following requirements:  
- Education: We require participants to have a completed BSc or BA (or equivalent) in Social Sciences (Economics, Public Policy) or a related discipline (e.g. Engineering, Political Science). 
- Language: Fluency in English is required 
- Job profile and country: Participants must be working on a topic related to digital transformation or sustainability.  
- Government officials and policy makers from developing countries are highly encouraged to apply. 
- Employees in other public and private as well as non-governmental entities working in the field of digital development and digital technology may also participate. 
- Gender balance and geographic diversity will be observed. 
- Selection will be done by the course organizers upon considering the above entry requirements in addition to the analysis of the application questionnaire and the recommendation / motivation letter of each applicant
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Apply the basic jargon necessary to discuss digital transformation issues; 
- Describe the role that digital transformation may play in shaping the economy and society; 
- Recognize sector-level specificities in the sources of digital transformation, and compare their consequences for practice and policy; 
- Integrate digital transformation’s learnings in a current topic or issue from the participants’ workplace. 
The summer course offers the following activities: 
- Introduction and goal setting session; 
- Daily lectures; 
- Daily interactive sessions; 
- Peer-learning activities; 
- Mandatory and optional reading materials; 
- Closing session. 
Readings: For each lecture, one to two compulsory readings are identified, complemented with a list of additional readings for the interested reader. Selected participants will have access to all reading materials through the Â鶹ÉçÊÓƵ platform. 
Participants will be required to take active part in all the activities of the Summer School. At the end of the course, participants will receive an ITU and UNU-MERIT certificate of completion. 
Attendance
- Participants must attend at least 80% of the sessions to meet the attendance requirement.
Certification Criteria
- Active participation: 40% of the total score.
- Course assignment (poster presentation): 60% of the total score.
Assignments
- Content: 50% of the total score.
- Structure: 10% of the total score.
- Clarity and logic: 20% of the total score.
- Punctuality: 10% of the total score.
- Engagement: 10% of the total score.
Monday
- 08:30-09:00
Walk in and Wi-Fi set-up: Platform check - 09:00-10:30
Course opening: Welcome session and introduction to the programme. Key learning points include goal setting. - 11:00-12:00
Poster session: Mapping participant questions to prepare for later discussions. - 13:30-15:30
Digital emerging technologies and digital transformation:- Introduction to digitalisation
- Key digital technologies (e.g., IoT, AI, blockchain)
- Opportunities and threats of digital transformation
- 16:00-16:30
Digital solution exercise: Reflection on learning applications and peer learning.
Tuesday
- 09:00-10:30
Sustainable agriculture and digital farming: Exploring how digitalisation changes food production systems and examining types of digital transformation. - 11:00-12:30
Discussion of cases: Recognizing possibilities and hidden problems in digital farming. - 14:00-15:30
Activities for fostering digitalised agriculture: Discussing sustainable solutions for digital transformation in agriculture. - 16:00-16:30
Digital solution exercise: Reflection on learning applications and peer learning.
Wednesday
- 09:00-10:30
Digital transformation and e-waste management:- Identifying actors involved in e-waste management
- Evaluating circular economy strategies for e-waste reduction, reuse, and recycling
- Developing better recycling solutions
- 11:00-12:30
Design thinking for sustainability (Part 1):- Applying systems thinking and solution design frameworks
- Using the Transition Model Canvas to represent challenges
- 14:00-15:30
Design thinking for sustainability (Part 2):- Mapping pathways for sustainable transformation
- Assessing innovations and interventions in e-waste management
- 16:00-16:30
Digital solution exercise: Reflection on learning applications and peer learning.
Thursday
- 09:00-10:30
AI and sustainability: Outlining sustainability challenges associated with AI and analysing the positive/negative impacts of digitalisation. - 11:00-12:30
Discussion of cases: Analysing the impact of digitalisation technologies on sustainability, comparing intended and unintended effects. - 14:00-15:30
Future trends and opportunities:- Identifying forward-looking approaches for sustainable digital transformation
- Evaluating factors involved in digital transformation
- 16:00-16:30
Digital solution exercise: Reflection on learning applications and peer learning. - 16:30-18:00
Preparing your poster pitch: Completing posters and reflecting on weekly learning. - 19:00-21:00
Closing dinner.
Friday
- 08:30-09:00
Preparing the poster. - 09:00-11:00
Digital solution exercise presentations:- Identifying problems in digital technology adoption
- Discussing solutions for sustainable digital transformation
- Presenting posters and applying weekly learning
- 11:30-12:30
Evaluation and closing session:- Awarding poster pitch winners and certificates
- 12:30-13:30
Joint closing lunch.
Financial support available
With the generous support of the Global Gateway initiative of the European Union, ITU will cover training costs, accommodation for 5 nights, meals and training activities.
Registration information
Unless specified otherwise, all Â鶹ÉçÊÓƵ training courses are open to all interested professionals, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, economic status and other diverse backgrounds. We strongly encourage registrations from female participants, and participants from developing countries. This includes least developed countries, small island developing states and landlocked developing countries.