National ICT Research Capacity and Priorities for Cooperation - Kingdom of Lesotho

National Priorities

The Government of Lesotho through the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology in conjunction with relevant stakeholders in the ICT sector has identified the following priority e-applications: e-Government; eHealth; eLearning; e-Commerce; eInfrastructure; Digital Content and Digital Libraries; eAgriculture & Geographic Information Systems; and Internet Technologies.

In line with its National Science and Technology Policy, Lesotho sees the role of research and development as a major activity that defines the critical agenda in the national system of innovation and in the industrial and commercial transformation. R&D is critical in the production of new knowledge, new materials, publications and new services. It is a critical tool towards promotion and development of ICT in the Information Society by identifying needs and challenges that face the ICT sector thus informing policies, programmes and projects.

In this context the following research priorities have been identified for Lesotho:

Research Priority : ICT for Government and e-Government

Research Objectives Research Areas
Facilitate the broadest possible access to public domain information (2.1.4)
Facilitate the broadest possible access to public domain information (2.1.4)
- Speech Recognition and Text-to-Speech for information access. - Access Networks using available e-infrastructure such as GSM and PSTN networks. - Web applications using indigenous languages. - Free/libre and open source software (FLOSS) utilization for e-government solutions.
- Speech Recognition and Text-to-Speech for information access.
- Access Networks using available e-infrastructure such as GSM and PSTN networks.
- Web applications using indigenous languages.
- Free/libre and open source software (FLOSS) utilization for e-government solutions.
Promote the production of local ICT products and services that reflect the needs, interests and culture of the country. (cf. 2.2.4) - Web applications and information systems for marketing and advertising the government tourist attractions
Establish ICT public access points in places such as post offices, schools, libraries and rural health care clinics among others. (2.2.6) - Developing mesh networks for rural areas - Convergence of analogue and data networks
- Developing mesh networks for rural areas
- Convergence of analogue and data networks
Paying attention to the special needs of marginalized groups of society, including women, youth, the disabled, disenfranchised and the elderly. (2.2.6) - Speech recognition and text-to-speech for the visually impaired and the elderly for government services access. - Development of training methodologies for people with special needs and the marginalized. - Development of electronic and mechanical devices for the people with disabilities.
- Speech recognition and text-to-speech for the visually impaired and the elderly for government services access.
- Development of training methodologies for people with special needs and the marginalized.
- Development of electronic and mechanical devices for the people with disabilities.
Ensure that ICT infrastructure is widely available at an affordable price to support the delivery of telecommunications, broadcasting, postal and multimedia services (2.2.7) - Software development cost reduction through use of FLOSS
Improve internet access for tourists throughout the country - Appropriate access points developed throughout the country for tourists to have internet access with the aim of attracting more tourists into Lesotho

Research Priority : ICT for Health & e-Health

Research Objectives Research Areas
Ensuring that all local clinics and hospitals are connected to the ICT infrastructure (2.2.7) - Convergence technology development for interconnecting the PSTN, GSM and Radio broadcast communication systems. - Developing web services and access channels for remote patient diagnosis - Visibility studies on low cost ICT infrastructure in the mountainous areas of Lesotho.
- Convergence technology development for interconnecting the PSTN, GSM and Radio broadcast communication systems.
- Developing web services and access channels for remote patient diagnosis
- Visibility studies on low cost ICT infrastructure in the mountainous areas of Lesotho.
Online HIV/AIDS information access for rural communities - Web services for HIV/AIDS information in Sesotho - Development of HIV/AIDS interactive information stations at local government offices using FLOSS
- Web services for HIV/AIDS information in Sesotho
- Development of HIV/AIDS interactive information stations at local government offices using FLOSS
Online/Mobile Access to medical practitioners and institutions - Development of mobile- and e-commerce applications for service access

Research Priority : ICT for Learning & e-Learning

Research Objectives Research Areas
One lecturer - multiple classrooms throughout the country (IEMS can benefit from this objective) - Optimization of Communication networks for enabling distance e-learning
Use of mobile devices for teaching - Software development for mobile devices - Cost effective methodologies of implementation
- Software development for mobile devices
- Cost effective methodologies of implementation

Research Priority : ICT for Enterprises & e-Commerce

Research Objectives Research Areas
Private sector service access using both the internet and mobile devices (e.g. banking) - Development of interactive web services and WAP services
Online payments for electricity, water and gas - Development of interactive web services and WAP services
Promote the development and dissemination of local ICT products and services (2.1.5) - Qualitative and quantitative studies for assessing the research efforts and innovation in the ICT sector throughout the country. - Marketing strategies for local ICT products and innovations
- Qualitative and quantitative studies for assessing the research efforts and innovation in the ICT sector throughout the country.
- Marketing strategies for local ICT products and innovations
Online shopping (e.g. ordering pizza) - Development of Mobile Commerce Applications

Research Priority : Network Technologies

Research Objectives Research Areas
Develop network technologies suitable for government service delivery in Lesotho - Study of existing infrastructure and development of network protocols suitable for ensuring access to government information. - Mesh network development for rural areas - Wireless networks (WiMAX) capabilities for enhancing the ICT infrastructure in Lesotho.
- Study of existing infrastructure and development of network protocols suitable for ensuring access to government information.
- Mesh network development for rural areas
- Wireless networks (WiMAX) capabilities for enhancing the ICT infrastructure in Lesotho.
Improvement of bandwidth for local information and services access - Study of data and voice traffic and the quality of service required for such traffic in order to effectively manage the bandwidth

National Research Capacity

The table below provides an overview of universities with ICT/Engineering Courses:

Institution Location Total Students ICT/Engineering Department(s) ICT/Engineering Teaching Staff Undergraduate Students
National University of Lesotho Roma, Maseru 1,357 Faculty of Science and Technology 12 266
Letotholi Polytechnic Maseru 185 Dept of Engineering 7 185
Lesotho College of Education Maseru   Dept of Information Technology, Dept of Computer Science    
Limkokwing University of Creative Technology Maseru 462 Dept of Computer Technology 25 462

The following national organisations are currently undertaking ICT-related activities in Lesotho:

National University of Lesotho

- Dept of Mathematics and Computer Science

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science in the National University of Lesotho has a Computer Science Unit (CS Unit), which is responsible for ICT teaching and research. The whole CS Unit functions as a research group. Main research areas that the CS Unit explores are meant to improve government services and also to bridge the digital divide in Lesotho. The three main areas of research in the CS Unit are: (a) Communication Networks and Applications (CNA), (b) Artificial Intelligence and Human Language Technologies (AI & HLT), (c) Information Systems (IS), (d) Information Security, and (e) Data and Database Management Systems. The university research grant is the major source of funding for most projects.

- Research focus includes: Communication Networks and Applications; Artificial Intelligence and Human Language Technologies; Information Systems; Solar and Wind Energy, Energy Efficiency

(a) Communication Networks and Applications

Research in this area includes:

- Network Management and Services

- Next Generation Networks & Services Development

- SIP-enabled instant messaging systems on IMS

- WiMax QoS on IMS

- Mobile Commerce Applications

- Mobile Advertising

- Intelligent Networks for e-government

- VoIP-based Computer Telephony Integration with Asterisk

(b) Artificial Intelligence and Human Language Technologies

Research in Artificial Intelligence in is the following areas:

- Machine Translation (at early stages)

- Speaker Recognition systems.

- Sesotho Speech recognition for bridging the digital divide.

- Text-to-speech in Sesotho for accessing government information and services.

- Development of Voice Browsers (VoiceXML interpreters)

It is worth noting that the projects above are currently research projects and laboratory work by individual researchers and have a very good potential depending on wider funding.

(c) Information and Cyber Security

The NUL has started a center for cyber security research. To address cybersecurity awareness, the research group specifically looks into research focused on cybersecurity, information security governance and Internet of things (IoT). The center for cybersecurity research is committed to providing professional training on cyber security and awareness programmes. The center will commence providing training on a part-time basis to people interested in cybersecurity from January 2019.

Research includes:

- Information Security Governance

- Cloud computing and security

- The IoT

- Digital Forensics

- Cybersecurity awareness

- Cyberwarfare

- Cyber intelligence

- Cybersecurity structures - organisational CERTs/CIRTs

Lesotho College of Education

- Depts include: Dept of Information Technology

- Research focus includes: Technology-enhanced Learning

Limkokwing University of Creative Technology

- Dept of Computer Technology

- Research areas of interest includes: Cloud Computing,

ICT-39 Priority Themes

Based on consultation with stakeholders and additional information during the IST-Africa Horizon 2020 Training Workshop on 02 November 2016 the following thematic areas are considered to be important in the context of the ICT-39 Call:

Thematic Areas Topics Partners
eHealth / mHealth Health Information Management Systems / Electronic Health Records; Mobile First Aid system; Health Monitoring, Interoperability of systems; Systems supporting patients with TB and HIV National University of Lesotho; Limkokwing University of CreativeTechnology; Ministry of Health
Technology -enhanced Learning Indigenous knowledge systems using ICT; Technology integration in classroom; Creation of local digital content National University of Lesotho; Limkokwing University of CreativeTechnology
eAgriculture Enhancing crop productivity; ICT for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development; Mobile Application for farmers; Water management & irrigation systems National University of Lesotho; Limkokwing University of CreativeTechnology; Lesotho Agricultural College; Department of Agricultural Research (MoAFS)
eGovernment Public service delivery; Online application for student loans National University of Lesotho; Limkokwing University of CreativeTechnology; MCST - Department of ICT

Mapping to H2020 Themes

The mapping to Horizon 2020 Research areas is summarised below

Horizon 2020 Industrial Leadership Institution, Relevant Dept and Research area
Components & Systems Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (Faculty of Information and Communication Technology): Smart Embedded Components and Systems
Advanced Computing National University of Lesotho (Dept of Maths and Computer Science): IP-enabled Home Automation
Future Internet National University of Lesotho (Dept of Maths and Computer Science): Communication Networks and Applications (Network Management and Services, Next Generation Networks & Services Development), Mobile Management for the Future Internet, Cloud-based Communication Services, High Performance Computing; Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (Faculty of Information and Communication Technology): Cloud Computing, Networks, Cyber Security, Privacy and Trust, Wireless Communication and all Optical Networks, Interactive multimedia
Content Technologies & Information Management National University of Lesotho (Dept of Maths and Computer Science): Human Language Technologies, Technology-enhanced Learning; Lesotho College of Education: Technology-enhanced Learning

Horizon 2020 Societal Challenges Institution, Relevant Dept and Research area
Health National Health Training Centre: Specific focus on Cancer and HIV; National University of Lesotho (Dept of Pharmacy and Nutrition) : eHealth, Self-management of health, health data collection; Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (Faculty of Information and Communication Technology) : eHealth; Self-management of health, improved diagnostics; health data collection, methods and Data
Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture National University of Lesotho (Faculty of Agriculture): Sustainable Agriculture
Energy National University of Lesotho (Department of Mathematics and Computer Science): Solar Energy (Solar resource assessment - solar maps, Solar photovoltaic (PV), Solar thermal, Concentrated solar power); Wind Energy (Wind Resource assessment - wind mapping, Wind power); Hydro (Mini/micro/small hydros); Bio-energy (Bio-mass, Bio-gas); Energy Efficiency (Energy audits, Energy Management - demand side management, demand response, energy conservation, Smart Metering); Energy modelling
Inclusive and Reflexive Societies Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (Faculty of Information and Communication Technology) : eLearning
Secure Societies Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (Faculty of Information and Communication Technology) : Cyber Security; National University of Lesotho: Cyber Security

Level of Research Maturity

Lesotho is gradually increasing the focus on research. This is reflected on the Government's emphasis on innovation and technology adoption and the development of applications and local content to service national requirements.

Being entirely surrounded by another country - and to a considerable degree economically reliant on that country (with many people from Lesotho working and earning their living across the border) brings its own challenges. This requires an increased policy focus on further strengthening the research capacity within the country, and especially in developing post-graduate programmes. As a result of IST-Africa training workshops in Lesotho, there is now a much higher level of awareness of the necessity for research activities to have a clear socio-economic purpose, and the requirement to focus on potential impact, and the potential benefits of multi-stakeholder research projects.