Update April 2000: Tunisia
|
Update April 2000: Tunisia |
The Internet is growing in Tunisia, thus, spurring much interest from the research bodies and from the Government, more specifically within the education sector. The Internet has provoked other issues of interest, for example the issue of computer security, which the Secretary of State for Informatics was inspired to hold a two-day forum on this issue. Furthermore, fourteen agreements between Canadian and Tunisian companies in the field of Information Technology were signed under the watchful eye of the Secretary of State for Information Technology.
Overall, the Information sector is beginning to gain a great profile within the Tunisian community.
1. IS Programmes and Initiatives
A delegation of 25 Canadian companies and several Tunisian companies,
specializing in Information Technology, have been, for the past two years,
co-operating together on various projects within the service and computer
engineering framework. The achievements of this collaboration were realized
during a Tunisian-Canadian Information Technologies Week was held in Tunis
(7-11 February). The Secretary of State for Information Technology, Mr
Montassar Ouaili, headed the closing ceremony during which 14 partnership
agreements were signed between Tunisian and Canadian companies. These
agreements provided the possibility for the creation of joint enterprises,
the exchange of experts, the creation of a fund for financing projects
relating to Information Technology, and the trade and joint development of
applications within various fields.
The Tunisian Government has launched an initiative aiming at expanding the usage of the Internet within the education sector nation-wide, encompassing the distance education framework. The Minister of Higher Education has been at the forefront of this initiative by providing teachers, students and Internet surfers with communication tools in order to improve trade within the community and to encourage the usage of these current educational tools. At present, computer centers have been established in remote regions in order to introduce IT to children. Furthermore, the Internet is being introduced to primary, secondary and universities. It has allowed for the improvement of the communications infrastructure within the education sector. At a conference held by the Democratic Constitutional Assembly Party, held in Bizerte on February 29, the President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali spoke of his determination to modernize teaching methods and facilitate students in remote areas through the aid of distance education and the creation of university poles in all regions.
2. Communication Actions
The Secretary of State for Informatics organized a National Forum on
" Computer Security" on March 7-8, at the Oriental Palace in
Tunis. Those participating were experts from the area of Information
Technology and almost 400 top managers from private and public companies.
The main issues were the improvement of computer security within the
National Information Systems, the utilization of new IT and Communication
technologies and the quality of computer service systems.
The Institute of Scientific Research and Information Technology (IRSIT) has created an ESIS II website for Tunisia, deploying all research results from the ESIS initiative. Mr Nejib Abida, of IRSIT, explained that the website enables, not only international browsers, but also Tunisians to see the efforts made by Tunisian and international companies in establishing and improving Information Technology applications within Tunisia. For further information, the ESIS II Tunisian website can be viewed:
In February, the Minister of Communication, Mr Ahmed Friaa, along with the
Secretary of State for Research and Technology, Mr Abdekarim Zbidi, visited
the Technological Park in Tunis, which specializes in the areas of
research, training, and producing communication technologies. Mr Friaa
inspected several of the Institutions residing within the Park, which falls
under the Ministry of Communications, and expressed his aims in inviting other
Ministries in order to inspire them in offering their services to aid Research
in Tunisia. Mr Friaa also showed his enthusiasm to support the ESIS II
initiative when informed of the project.
The Tunis World Trade Centre hosted an International Technology Exhibition "Technology 2000" from March 29th to April 1st. This event was organized by both the National Polytechnic School and Global Technology Network, bringing together 50 international exhibitors. In the framework of this event, a high tech forum was held on March 30-31, focusing on four main issues: high technologies, new information and communication technologies, certification, and investment opportunities in new technologies.
|
|
