In Uganda, the Information Network of Uganda (I-Network) has introduced what they have called the E-team (the ICT for development expertise team) to aid adoption of ICTs in various development projects.
The expertise team is a highly technical arm of the Information Network.
A press statement said the expertise team was established after considerations regarding the adoption of ICTs in various development projects. "It has been noted that ICTs can be used to improve the contribution of these projects to the development of the country," the statement said in part.
The statement said because of the nature of ICT and its rapid growth, the beneficiaries/users have had challenges getting proper guidance from the suppliers of products (computers) and services (Internet).
It is for this reason that the expertise team was established to extend expert advice to projects and organisations especially those supported by the Netherlands-based International Institute for Communication (IICD) and other development projects.
The team was established in January 2006 after an agreement was reached between IICD and I-Network for its relevance in implementing ICT4D in development.
The team now forms the third division of I-Network in addition to knowledge sharing and ICT4D policy group.
Ms. Rachael Kadama, the coordinator for the ICT4D expertise team said the launch of the team would mark the beginning of a new era of support to development projects across the country.
The last seven months have been used to prepare the team for the tasks ahead.
"It is our belief now that the team is ready to offer assistance to all development projects using ICT to enhance their operations, effectiveness and delivery of their goals and objectives," Kadama said.
I-Network is a knowledge sharing division by way of monthly seminars; nodes (the media node, the private sector node - bringing SMEs together, the junior node, which works to promote education; the projects node, the health node and energy and environment node, which are in the final stages of being set up).
IICD currently supports 16 projects in Uganda, after having identified development needs within governments, NGO's, civil society and private sector that can be facilitated by the inclusion of ICT as an enhancement to achieving the development goal of the organisation.
Autor(en)/Author(s): Edris Kisambira
Quelle/Source: All Africa, 23.10.2006
