 Author |
 Post
|
 |
|
Pascal Bekono
Joined: May 26, 2004
Posts: 179 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Chatterbox
User is
Offline
 Virtual Volunteer
Gender & Age: Male & 33
Country: Cameroon
Province/State: Centre
City: Yaoundé
|
How to utilize ICT for development purposes ?
October 15, 2007 - 01:18 PM
|
|
Dear all,
ICT is the very key to sustainable development, and a tool by which developping country can live by their own strengh. What can you propose for a better usage of ICT for development ?
Pascal.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Gachara Irura
Joined: Aug 25, 2005
Posts: 1 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Tongue-tied
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 30
Country: South Africa
Province/State: Western Cape
City: Cape Town
|
Re: How to utilize ICT for development purposes ?
October 18, 2007 - 10:05 AM
|
|
I believe small and medium sized outfits are key to development in developing countries. Nonetheless, SMEs in developing countries are embedded in a hodgepodge of peculiar socio-economic issues and yet expected to thrive.These issues must be addressed in order to grow. Having taclked this, let's consider ICT.
The advent of the internet has revolutionized how business is done. Unfortunately, most of the developing nations have been left behind - either due to lack of resources or absence of technical skills. Often, IT solutions are implemented haphazardly - yet there are huge productivity gains to be realized from integrating IT in management and other work processes. Hence, as the developed world draws towards more sophisticated IT systems, it is important for the developing world to overcome management issues (both strategic and financial). As this happens, dynamic processes such as systems analysis and design need to be well understood for successful implementation and integration of information technology management. That is, specifically, software systems should be customized with the needs of users in mind. It is this conceptual and practical knowledge will contribute positively to small and medium sized businesses that perhaps operate in very harsh environments.
It is true that most developing societies are in need of ICT investment (infrastructure of software and hardware), there are opportunities for development and growth. But even if partners are found who provide capital (which is absolutely essential), successful strategies require formal training. Training (in whichever form) should take precedence.
This post was edited on: 2007-10-22 at 01:36 AM by: Gachara Irura
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
TheRealSaint
Joined: Jul 14, 2007
Posts: 2 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Tongue-tied
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 27
Country: United Kingdom
Province/State: Surrey
|
Re: How to utilize ICT for development purposes ?
October 19, 2007 - 09:56 AM
|
|
the interaction between training, tools and treasure does NOT need to be balanced with the reallity on ground. There is a need for parallel development i.e while efforts are made to improve better healthcare, transport and communication/ICT on one hand...enablements of development such as power generation and distribution have to be tackled in a two pronged approach. And just as the internet et al developed from the ARPANET and its 4 university node network its important that African universities for instance are linked online real time via a dedicated backbone so that there is free flow of information. This has been the case in West.
Secondly the need for data bases and data storage capability can not be over emphasized. very few organisations or bodies even corporate organisations have relevant online presence. Consequently any one wishing to do business or come for tourism has nothing but the negative western reports to rely on unless the person is a diehard adventurer!
Its significant to note that the ability exists even if the will does not. It has to be both a top-down and bottom-up approach. ie. while the leadership provides the facitilies and resources 9or atleast does not mismanage those already provided) the followership should do their bit by taking as much interest learning about and using ICT as much as possible. private companies and organisations could also sponsor training for their employees as well as scholarships for people willing. Its important to appreciate the fact that some donor agencies and NGO's are indeed taking up the challenge but theory must be matched by industry!!. So involve the people in practically using ICT to solve daily problems like water shortage or atleast logging the shortfall and why.
Kiss
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Jeff Mowatt
Joined: Oct 21, 2007
Posts: 8 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Soft-spoken
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 62
Country: United Kingdom
Province/State: Gloucestershire
City: Lydney
|
Re: How to utilize ICT for development purposes ?
October 21, 2007 - 05:56 AM
|
|
I can offer a suggestion in my thread on Compassionate Capitalism in the "Role of Corporations" section.
it's the concept that as stated above, our new economy will be established on information and collaboration and in the case of a ICT "Marshall Plan" we can render profits not only to close the digital divide but also to address primary social objects and ensure that todays impoverished are not simply replaced by those who follow.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Z-Dy
Joined: Nov 7, 2007
Posts: 1 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Tongue-tied
User is
Offline
Country: Nigeria
Province/State: Abuja Capital Territory
City: Abuja
|
Re: How to utilize ICT for development purposes ?
November 7, 2007 - 07:18 PM
|
|
well i am interested in communication.I think ICT would be really effective in the dissemination of news.It would make the mass media recieve messages faster and it would also help the news agencies especially in African countries to gather news and report faster. With the introduction of internet and other mediums.accuracy and efficiency is inevitable.
However these new technologies are not being taught in the higher institutions therefore making the new systems of communication somewhat useless.Im afraid that if drastis action is not taken,the African community would begin producing ill trained journalists who have no knowledge of the developing world.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
|
Display posts from:
|
