[apnic-talk] FW: First IT Seminar a success
--- On Fri, 27 Mar 1998 17:03:20 +0800 Gabriel Accascina <gab at undp dot org>
wrote:
For Immediate Release
First UN Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme (APDIP) IT Seminar
a success.
Kuala Lumpur, 26 March 1998. The Asia Pacific Development Information
Programme (APDIP) concluded today its first Information Technology (IT)
Seminar on "Internet Policies and Implementation". The seminar was
conducted at Wisma UN in Kuala Lumpur from 23 to 26 March, and was
tailored to the needs of a delegation from the Republic of Mongolia. The
delegates, seven ministerial and one private sector representatives, are
part of a working group charged with the task to advise their Government
on assessment, policies and implementation of IT strategies. The Head of
the delegation was Mr. Badral, Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime
Minister. In his final statement Mr. Badral declared: "We have
accomplished in three days here what would have taken three months."
The worldwide expansion of information systems based on Internet
technologies has, over the past few years, been neither equitable nor
all-encompassing, thus resulting in many developing countries being in
danger of remaining "Least Informed Countries. APDIP IT Policies and
Infrastructure Development Seminars assist governments in the Asia-Pacific
region to overcome this problem.
Delivering the key note address, Dr. K.J. John from Mimos, emphasized the need for regional co-operation: "Like a chain, we need to build regional capacity, as the strength of the region will be only as strong as its weakest link."
Dr. Norsaidatul Akmal Mazelan, Senior Manager for Strategy and Research at the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDC) discussed IT for education, science and research. She presented information on the Multimedia Super Corridor, while Dr. Cecilia Ng from the United Nations University offered a se
ssion on Teleworking and Development in Malaysia. Among other speakers, Mr. Barry Greene, from Cisco Systems, introduced the participants to Internet infrastructure standards and requirements.
A critical part of the seminar was devoted to Internet regulations and policies through the intervention of Ms. Laina Raveendran Greene, Managing Director of GetIt Pte Ltd, an IT consulting firm based in Singapore. Ms. Raveendran also discussed problems related to Internet governance. Dr. Ang Peng
Hwa, from the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore concluded the sessions by discussing content regulations and quality of service from a national perspective. Several presenters contributed to a closing brainstorming session where specific issues were discussed.
The last day of the seminar was spent visiting strategic Malaysian IT organisations, including MIMOS Bhd. at Technology Park, and the Multimedia Development Corporation facilities in CyberJaya.
The Seminar took place in the new APDIP training room. The facility includes computer workstations permanently wired to the Internet, and a custom-built training environment, which shows the benefit of Internet technology for development.
APDIP's Programme Manager, Mr. Gabriel Accascina, said: "This is the first of a series of Seminars tailored to those government officials in developing countries that are called to design and implement IT policies. We provide information that will enable them to advise, at an early stage, on how t
heir country will participate to the global dialogue through IT. We think that this contribution can be critical in order to maximise resources, decrease expenditures and obtain optimal results in a shorter time."
APDIP is an initiative developed and funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and covers 42 countries in the region through 24 UNDP country offices. Based in Kuala Lumpur, the programme is implemented by the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS). APDIP aims at assisting member co
untries in the use of Information Technology to foster social and economic development.
For more information contact: info at mysintra dot undp dot org or call APDIP at + (603) 255-9122
The curriculum is posted at http://202.187.94.60/session
-----------------End of Original Message-----------------
-------------------------------------
Name: Laina Raveendran Greene
E-mail: laina at singnet dot com dot sg
Date: 3/27/98
Time: 8:07:16 PM
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