UNESCO survey on e-readiness of 16 Asia-Pacific counties now released
05-10-2006 (Bangkok)
To develop comprehensive ICT training packages for information professionals that build on existing ICT skills is one of the recommendations included in a UNESCO survey to assess the need for ICT training for information professionals in the Asia-Pacific Region that was recently released.
In October 2005 and June 2006 a survey was conducted to assess the e-readiness of 16 Asia-Pacific counties. The purpose of the survey was to gather data that would enable preliminary assessment of the need for ICT training for information professionals in the region. Representatives in Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos), Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam completed the survey.
The survey solicited responses related to telecommunication infrastructure, access to computers and the Internet, the availability of training in ICT skills and technology training, and the organization and level of electronic resources available in libraries.
Like global e-business the global information economy relies on connectivity, infrastructure and skills. Countries that lack these attributes are excluded from participating in the global exchange of information that is now possible through developments in technology and telecommunications. Similarly countries that may have these attributes in their cities often lack development in rural areas, effectively excluding significant rural populations from participation.
Two things that are critical to the establishment of the necessary connectivity, infrastructure and skills are investment in education and strong industry leadership. Providing ICT education to those who do not have access to the necessary technology or who lack connectivity is difficult if not impossible. It is necessary however if the information professional is to have transferable skills from rural to urban areas and from country to country. This provides a challenging direction for those developing academic curricula, skills-based training courses and self-paced instructional packages. It also provides a clear role for national and regional library associations that are involved in the education and professional development of their members.
The findings of this survey provide evidence of the imbalance of connectivity, infrastructure and skills between the cities and the rural areas in the countries surveyed. They enable country-by-country comparisons within the region of development levels and issues related to telecommunication infrastructure, access to computers and the Internet, the availability of training in ICT skills and technology training, and the organisation and level of electronic resources available in libraries.
Bibliographic reference :
E-Readiness in the Asia-Pacific Region. Results of a survey to assess the need for ICT training for information professionals in the region. - Prepared for UNESCO Bangkok (Communication and Information) and Japanese Funds In Trust (JFIT) by CAVAL Collaborative Solutions. – Bangkok: UNESCO, August 2006
The survey solicited responses related to telecommunication infrastructure, access to computers and the Internet, the availability of training in ICT skills and technology training, and the organization and level of electronic resources available in libraries.
Like global e-business the global information economy relies on connectivity, infrastructure and skills. Countries that lack these attributes are excluded from participating in the global exchange of information that is now possible through developments in technology and telecommunications. Similarly countries that may have these attributes in their cities often lack development in rural areas, effectively excluding significant rural populations from participation.
Two things that are critical to the establishment of the necessary connectivity, infrastructure and skills are investment in education and strong industry leadership. Providing ICT education to those who do not have access to the necessary technology or who lack connectivity is difficult if not impossible. It is necessary however if the information professional is to have transferable skills from rural to urban areas and from country to country. This provides a challenging direction for those developing academic curricula, skills-based training courses and self-paced instructional packages. It also provides a clear role for national and regional library associations that are involved in the education and professional development of their members.
The findings of this survey provide evidence of the imbalance of connectivity, infrastructure and skills between the cities and the rural areas in the countries surveyed. They enable country-by-country comparisons within the region of development levels and issues related to telecommunication infrastructure, access to computers and the Internet, the availability of training in ICT skills and technology training, and the organisation and level of electronic resources available in libraries.
Bibliographic reference :
E-Readiness in the Asia-Pacific Region. Results of a survey to assess the need for ICT training for information professionals in the region. - Prepared for UNESCO Bangkok (Communication and Information) and Japanese Funds In Trust (JFIT) by CAVAL Collaborative Solutions. – Bangkok: UNESCO, August 2006
Related themes/countries
· Asia and the Pacific
· Training of Information Professionals: News Archives 2006
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Contact information
- UNESCO Office in Bangkok
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