Perceived Competence of Zimbabwean Academics in the Use of Information Technology in University Academic Business

This paper investigated digital competence as perceived by Zimbabwe in relation to four demographic characteristics. The study adopted quantitative descriptive research design. A simple random sample of 440 full time university academics responded to a structured questionnaire. Data were summarized using non parametric methods. Multiple regression and independent samplest-test were adopted to test two null hypotheses at 95 % significance level. Findings revealed significant relationship between university academics digital competence and their gender and experience in using the internet. Male academics perceived themselves as more competent than female academics. A significant inverse relationship was also observed between digital competence and age of respondents. The findings led to the conclusion that university academics were fairly competent in using the internet for research and faced challenges in using the internet as a teaching tool. University management was advised to place a premium on the use of information technology in university academic business.