The objective is to help nations apply information and communications technologies to human development, particularly in areas such as health, education, environment and small and micro-enterprises. The joint UNITeS-GMU effort provides internship opportunities for American college students to work on UNITeS projects in developing nations. IT Corps members will work in-country with UN Volunteers, the United Nations Development Programme, or the World Bank WorLD staff. Students can work in Asia, Africa, South America, or Eastern Europe for two months and earn up to six internship credit hours towards their degree. The IT Corps is a unique opportunity for short-term volunteer opportunities projects not available elsewhere since GMU is the only academic institution to partner with the UNV on the UNITeS initiative.
Costs are minimal.
Airfare, passport, visa, local transportation, food, and personal expenses are the student s responsibility. In most cases, the host institution provides housing. Each project is country specific, but most have the same common element of teaching computer skills to others, and figuring out ways to use computer technology to help the communities meet their local needs. Most projects all have similar objectives, to identify community needs for human development, and find ways that information technology can help them improve their lives. A large number of programs involve teaching faculty, students, and community leaders how to use computer technology.