Impact of ICT Utilization on Academic Performance: A Case Study of University of Hargeisa Students in Somaliland

The main focus of this study was to assess the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage on student’s academic performance. This study took the University of Hargeisa (UOH) case to determine the impact between ICT on Student academic performance, particularly the availability, accessibility, and usability of ICT resources in the University. This study is conducted because it is known that from time-to-time reports indicate students in UOH have difficulties in their studies because they have limited access to ICT resources. Some may not be capable of using ICT. The study was conducted with one determining factor which is cross-sectional survey design. The data were collected through the means of questionnaires from a sample of 108 out of 150 sophomore students from the department of IT at the college of computing and IT. During the confirmation of principles, the researcher used simple regression analysis to analyse whether students’ academic performance was linear regression with ICT or not. The researcher found out that the availability, accessibility, and user-ability of ICT resources significantly affect students’ academics at UOH. The researcher recommends that there is a need for the University to invest more in computers and related technology. Access to ICT tools should not be limited to labs and libraries but expanded through establishing the ICT resource centre. ICT training should not be limited to Microsoft Office suites but rather aim at training students with the contextual skills to use ICT for their academics.