East Africa ICT stakeholders have launched an Internet governance course targeting policy makers to address gaps exposed at this week's regional meeting.

The lack of participation and deep understanding of Internet governance issues is a sign that more awareness is needed, said Mwende Njiraini, a telecoms engineer who outlined the course content.

Strathmore University and the Kenya College of Communications and Technology, both in Nairobi, will offer the course, but other institutions in Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda were encouraged to establish such courses as well.

"The course aims to provide deeper understanding, develop regional perception on Internet governance issues and enhance use of Internet in socioeconomic development," Njiraini explained.

It will target government officials, academia, civil society, media, the private sector and others who are involved in the policy making process, added Alice Munyua, coordinator of the Kenya ICT Action Network.

The course will include classroom sessions and online tutorials, while graduates of the program will be required to complete public awareness projects.

This week's regional Internet Governance Forum exposed the need for increased awareness on critical Internet resources, such as management of root servers, legal dimensions of Internet governance, jurisdiction and arbitration, intellectual property rights, copyright, and data protection.

The IDG News Service is a Network World affiliate.