Towards Improved Quality of Teaching and Research through Efficient Delivery and Utilization of Internet Services in a Typical Nigerian University

Abstract

The provision of Internet service is a basic need in any institution of higher learning. Efficient delivery of internet services in any university will help to effectively carry out teaching, research, and administration. This research work systematically searches a broad base of literature to identify factors needed to successfully implement qualitative Internet services in a University campus. Appraisal of the quality of Internet service currently managed by the ICT Resource Centre of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, was carried out through administration of users' perspectives questionnaire. The users' perspective questionnaires were administered to 120 members of staff of the University who constantly use the Internet services provided by the institution. 93 questionnaires were returned by the respondents.  The findings showed that qualitative delivery and utilization of Internet services is sacrosanct to effective teaching and research. Thus, the delivery of internet services which is still below expectation according to the user's perspective questionnaire administered needs to be greatly improved upon. Availability of wireless network, quality signal strength, and prompt response to user's request were specifically identified as areas of internet provisioning service that needs improvement. It was also discovered that robust Internet service provisioning will help foster teaching, learning, research and efficient service delivery through adequacy and accessibility of materials and online resources.