Message to the Academic Community
Dear Students, Teachers, and Staff,
We are at a crucial moment where higher education faces significant challenges and unprecedented opportunities. The evolution of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is redefining how we learn and manage our organizational processes. In response to these changes, the University’s Superior Council established, in December 2023, the Vice-Rectorate for Digital Transformation (VRTD), with the mission to design, implement, and manage the Digital Transformation (DT) process in alignment with our university's strategic objectives.
We recognize that the journey toward Digital Transformation is not without its challenges. Implementing new technologies requires substantial investments in hardware, software, and training. Alongside this reality, innovation can be a challenge for staff and stakeholders accustomed to traditional methods. We are also aware that by adopting digital practices, the university becomes more vulnerable to cyber threats, necessitating rigorous protection measures and constant security updates. However, we firmly believe that with collective effort and the determination of the entire academic community, these challenges can be overcome and transformed into opportunities.
Our commitment is to foster the necessary mindset shift among students and staff for the adoption of ICTs, integrating them into daily activities and creating a culture of innovation and adaptability. We are confident that, with joint effort, USTM will not only adapt to the new times but also position itself as a reference in digital practices in higher education.
Warm regards,
Lúcia Ginger, PhD
Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation
Message to the Academic Community
The Vice-Rectorate for Institutional Development (VRDI) extends a warm welcome to all students and the broader academic community (teachers, staff, and administrative personnel) at the University of St. Thomas of Mozambique (USTM). Being part of the "Tomistic Family" means not only enrolling at USTM but also engaging in the university's academic life, experiencing its daily activities, and interacting with all the individuals who contribute to the university's existence. As a student or member of the USTM academic community, we hope your time at our university will be a special and memorable chapter in your life.
Mission of the Vice-Rectorate for Institutional Development
The Vice-Rectorate for Institutional Development (VRDI) is an Organic Unit of the University of St. Thomas of Mozambique (USTM) with the primary mission of providing development to all sectors of the university. This includes creating a conducive environment for academic activities and establishing the human and material conditions necessary for the efficient operation of a higher education institution (teaching, research, and outreach activities). In the current stage of human society, the functioning of any organization is always based on the creation of human values rooted in respect for: (i) Ethical Principles, (ii) Socio-Economic Responsibility, and (iii) Respect for Nature. It is based on these principles that VRDI aims to guide the process of Administrative and Academic Management at USTM, with the goal of achieving a high-quality Academic Trifecta (Teaching, Research, and Outreach) that respects and upholds ethical, social, economic, and environmental sustainability values.