Update April 2000: Cyprus
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Update April 2000: Cyprus |
The following document summarizes the developments which occurred within the past three months (January - March 2000) in the areas of the existence and promotion of IS strategies and individual projects, as well as in the area of building up awareness.
1. IS National / Regional Strategies and Action Plans
In line with the national IS strategy undertaken on a government level in Cyprus, the Government’s Information Systems Strategy commonly referred to as the "Government Computerization Plan" originally conceptualized in 1987 is paid particular attention and is sufficiently promoted within state organizations.
The documents describing the developments in the "Information Systems Strategy" i.e., the government’s master plan for the computerization of all ministries, departments and independent offices of the government comprise the "information Systems Strategy Statement", the "Information Systems Business Plan", the "Detailed Management and Technical Policies Report", the "Project Catalogue Report", the "Implementation Program Report", the "Development Manual", and the "Government Data Model Report".
2. Interesting Actions / Initiatives
Most of the promotional activities identified were in the form of educational and informative seminars and conferences. These were organized or involved participation by one or more of the major players in Cyprus such as CY.T.A, Cyprus Productivity Centre, University of Cyprus, and the Authority for the Development of Human Capital (formerly known as the Industrial Training Authority).
In addition to the promotional activities identified between April and December 1999, and described in the 3 previous reports, some of the most interesting events identified between January and March 2000 are summarized below.
.2.1 Valuation of Internet / E-commerce companies
As part of a series of seminars which focus on modern research in Macroeconomics and Finance, this seminar was organized by the University of Cyprus on Monday, February 14th, 2000. The main speaker was Dr. Alberto Micalizzi from the Bocconi University, Italy. The seminar touched upon issues of economic valuation of e-commerce companies and aimed at providing local academics with the opportunity of generating discussion and drawing valuable experiences from international experts.
2.2 Cyprus : A Telecommunications hub for the Middle East
In the context of "The Economist" Conference held in Nicosia on the subject of "The Road of Cyprus to the European Union" a number of lectures were given on February 17th, by selected high ranking officials in the Telecommunications Sector. The focus was on the role of Cyprus as a Telecommunications hub in the Middle East region, with emphasis placed on the need for modernization in the telecom sector.
The speeches touched upon regulatory, legal and institutional reform, autonomy and privatization of CYTA, rate changes, business re-planning, e-commerce and the opportunities for job creation.
The main speakers included the Managing Director of CYTA Mr.Nicos Timotheou, OECD Manager in Telecoms and IT Mr Demetris Ipsilantis, and other officials from the legal and private sector.
2.3 Tools for e-Business
The Cyprus company NetU Consultants participated at the International Conference "Global Internet Business" which took place in Dubai on February 7th, presenting a range of technologies and tools related to eBusiness in view of its leading role in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East region. Products presented included the SumSystems financial tool and the Pivotal tool for relationship Management which enables an automated, interactive relationship between clients, suppliers and employees of a company or organisation.
2.4 Analyzing and Planning Information Systems
The Cyprus Productivity Centre has organized this series of lectures to be held between April 3rd and April 16rth in order to raise awareness and study methods for the development of an Information System as a means of raising productivity in companies and organisations.
2.5 Introduction to the SCADA system
This training programme has been organised by the Cyprus Productivity Centre, and approved by the Authority for the Development of Human Capital (formerly known as the Industrial Training Authority), and will focus on the capabilities of Systems for telemetry and telecontrol. The course is due to start on April 13th and is targeted primarily at professional engineers.
2.6 "Smart" Identity Card for Cypriot Citizens
The Ministry of the Interior has announced plans to introduce a Smart Card in order to replace the traditional plastic identity card held by each citizen of the Republic of Cyprus, and is educating the public for the change through a series of press releases. This Smart card will contain the holder’s name, identity card number, date of birth, parents’ names, photograph and a micro-chip for collection and storage of personal information. The project is envisaged as a key IS project as a central archive is to be created which will be accessible by all District authorities and will effectively enable the transmission of data necessary for the issue of passports, new ID cards, electoral booklets, refugee Ids and recording of births and deaths. In future, the said project is anticipated to also offer the facility to offer services in the Health, social insurance and income tax fields.
2.7 Art and Technology
A 5-day workshop has been held between January 26th - February 1st in Nicosia, organized by the Cyprus Cultural Services, the University of Cyprus and the Greek Cultural Institution "Fournos". The chief aim was to familiarize participants on areas such as digital photography, video art, the internet and web pages related to the arts.
2.8 Leaflet Distribution
Fliers describing the ESIS II project have been distributed with the bi-monthly magazine published by the Cyprus Computer Society
2.9 Local Web Site for Cyprus (ESIS II)
The local web site for the ESIS II project has been established by the University of Cyprus. The address is http://www.cs.ucy.ac.cy/~esis
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