Dr. Simon-Peter Kafui Aheto, a Senior Lecturer of Information Technology and Education at the Department of Distance Education, School of Continuing and Distance Education, College of Education, has been appointed to serve on two significant committees by UNESCO and the International Association of Universities (IAU).
In his first appointment by UNESCO, Dr. Aheto serves as a distinguished member and expert on the Steering Committee responsible for reviewing UNESCO's Internet Universality Indicators Framework. UNESCO developed the Internet Universality ROAM-X Indicators (IUI) framework through a global, open, inclusive, and multi-stakeholder process spanning three years. In 2015, the General Conference endorsed the Internet Universality concept with its four cross-cutting R.O.A.M principles – Human Rights, Openness, Accessibility, and a Multi-stakeholder approach. Today, the ROAM-X framework is a set of 303 indicators, including X-cutting subjects such as gender equality, legal and ethical aspects of the Internet, trust and security online, the environment and sustainable development, and around 40 countries are implementing these indicators to assess their Internet development at the national level.
The committee’s primary role is to oversee the comprehensive review of UNESCO's Internet Universality Indicators Framework, ensuring its continued relevance, effectiveness, and alignment with contemporary global challenges and opportunities in the digital age. This would include participation in discussions, providing feedback on proposals for the IUI ROAM-X Framework's revision approach and reviewing the updated draft text of the IUI ROAM-X framework.
Additionally, Dr. Aheto has been appointed as an Advisory Committee member for the Second Global Survey on Digital Transformation of Higher Education by the International Association of Universities (IAU). The IAU was formed in 1950 under the auspices of UNESCO, as a membership-based organisation serving the global higher education community through: expertise and trends analysis, publications and portals, advisory services, peer-to-peer learning, events and global advocacy.
The IAU uses Expert Advisory Group (EAG) composed of experts from different regions of the world as well as representatives of the IAU Administrative Board for such important assignments such as the one Dr. Aheto has been appointed to serve on.
Expressing his excitement, Dr. Aheto stated, "I am honoured and humbled to join these committees. This allows me to work collaboratively with experts from around the world to shape the future of internet universality, Digital Rights and Education and Youth Development. It is a critical mission, and I look forward to contributing to the global dialogue on this important subject."
Dr. Kafui Aheto expressed his gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo for her role in his appointment as an expert in Digital Transformation of Higher Education by the IAU. He also appreciated the University, Provost of the College of Education, Dean of the School of Continuing and Distance Education, College Secretary, Senior Colleagues and Colleagues for creating an enabling environment for him.
We congratulate him and wish him well for bigger achievements to come.