MADAGASCAR: New ICT and business institutions

IT University, a new private institution specialising in information technologies, has opened in Andoharanofotsy, in the suburbs of the Madagascan capital Antananarivo. And a French businessman has promised to build a business school which will educate young Madagascans free of charge.

The first 60 students have just started at IT University, reported L'Express de Madagascar. Its head is Dr Olivier Robinson, who co-founded a masters degree in computer studies in the faculty of sciences of Antananarivo University. He has also held the post of director-general of information and communication technologies in the Ministry of Telecommunications.

The six-semester bachelor-level courses are structured according to the Bologna process, and students can specialise in application development, in databases and networks, or in web integration and web design, said L'Express.

Madagascar needs 3,000 qualified technicians each year to be more competitive in the ICTs, whereas only 50 to 100 currently graduate from its grandes écoles, plus an unspecified number from various private institutes, said L'Express.

Meanwhile, during a meeting with transitional President Andry Rajoelina, French businessman and former politician Pierre Tapie has undertaken to establish a business school in Antananarivo, said L'Express in a separate report

The former socialist minister for city affairs said each six-month course would consist of about 50 students, who would receive free board and lodging at the school. Teachers would be local or French volunteers.

MATV of Antananarivo reported Tapie as saying the project was to support young Madagascans without work or training, and no charges would be made to students attending the course.

The school was due to open next September or October, said MATV.