Weekly news roundup - Asia, January 11, 2008

International cooperation vital to bridging 'digital divide': United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon

In a message to the UN Global Alliance for ICT and Development (UN-GAID) meeting of officials and experts in Las Vegas, Nevada, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has said that cooperation among the international community is the key to overcoming the "digital divide" that separates poor communities from affluent ones through their lack of access to information and communication technology (ICT) and to bolstering development. Speaking at the event, Mr. Ban said that it is necessary to build on the momentum generated by the Connect Africa Summit held during October 2008 in Kigali, Rwanda, where African nations discussed how to improve their information technology infrastructure. He said that bringing more of Africa online is only a first step, which must be followed by the provision of content, computers and software to give meaning to this emerging connectivity. Noting that millions of children in dozens of developing nations lack access to computers, he said that this technology must be made available to students to allow for "a breakthrough in education that will help foster development for generations to come."

UN e-Government Readiness Index

The 2008 UN e-Government Readiness Survey is the fourth edition of the index, and assesses 192 UN member states on their application of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to serve and interact with citizens. The implications of this report for telecentre community are immense, it clearly shows the level of readiness of differenent countries and the key pitfalls in the country. Vietnam has gained more 14 spots in the UN 2008 e-Governance Readiness Index. It means that Vietnam reached the 91st  position amongst 192 ranked countries. According to the 2008 UN e-Government Readiness Survey, Vietnam has performed well in the e-Participation Index, leaping to 16th position, from No. 63 in 2005. The Republic of Korea (RoK) has ranked 6th  position and Korea is the only Asian country in the top 10 list. India fell 26 notches to 113th  , compared to No. 87 in 2005, while Singapore and Thailand each fell 16 spots from their 2005 ranking, occupying No. 23 and No. 62, respectively, in the latest index.

OneRoof Service to expand cyber cafe chain in southern India

US based firm, OneRoof Service Pvt. Ltd has decided to expand its network in rural areas of South India. The firm is planning to set up cyber cafes in rural areas of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. In their long term plan the firm is planning to set up 1600 franchisee in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. A franchisee will also offer services like computer education, computer games, online railway/airline ticket booking, photography and mobile phone recharge. Through  these centres, the company expects to earn around INR 25,000-INR 40,000 per month. The company is targeting to set up around 100 franchisees in a year.

Philippine CHED urges colleges and universities to focus on ICT

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of Philippines has asked schools, particularly the Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to focus more on the ICT skills nationwide. The CHED is also focusing on the potential of technology in designing and providing education based on the new learning needs of tomorrow's world citizens. Universities can also partner with industries so that it can play its role as new source of innovation and knowledge. The CHED suggested the need to execute major changes in policies and practices through service deliveries and network linkages with local and international institutions to achieve these vision and directions.

Gramin Suvidha Kendra (Rural Facilitation Centre) empowers Indian farmers

Gramin Suvidha Kendra, a joint initiative of Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) and Indian Postal Department is empowering rural farmers by providing them spot and future prices of farm commodities. Currently, Gramin Suvidha Kendra is providing services (what kind???) this sentence can be deleted). Farmers pay a one-time registration fee of INR 11, following whichthey can pay INR 10 for each specific query on issues like weather patterns, pest management, and use of fertilisers. The blackboards and printouts contain information about local spot prices, all-India spot prices, and futures prices on existing contracts. In 2006, MCX has partnered with Indian Postal Department to create an electronic price link between small village post offices and the rest of India. Apart from India Post, MCX has roped in National Bulk Handling Corporation and major seed, fertiliser, and pesticide companies, and is also planning tie-ups with insurance companies for this initiative for ensuring further outreach.

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