The Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development, a regional institute of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-APCICT/ESCAP), has collaborated with the Cambodian government to launch the “Academy of ICT Essentials for Government Leaders” (Academy) in Phnom Penh today.
9 March 2010 - The Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development, a regional institute of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-APCICT/ESCAP), has collaborated with the Cambodian government to launch the “Academy of ICT Essentials for Government Leaders” (Academy) in Phnom Penh today.
According to the latest report by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Cambodia is presently in the early stages of information and communication technology (ICT) development, ranking at 120 out of 159 countries. The country has however been actively working to increase nationwide access to ICTs. Its e-government initiative named the “Provincial Administration Information System” has recently been deployed, connecting 10 out of 24 provinces and providing applications that will enhance public service delivery, such as an online document exchange system and electronic tools for managing and tracking details on residents, properties and vehicles.
In addition to ICT infrastructure development, Cambodia has also recognized the importance of building human capacity in ICT, and will incorporate the Academy Programme to equip policymakers and project managers with the skills and knowledge necessary to use ICTs effectively for furthering Cambodia’s development.
The First National Workshop of the Academy, co-organized by APCICT and the National Information Communications Technology Development Authority (NiDA) of Cambodia, began today at the Intercontinental Hotel in Phnom Penh. Presided over by H.E. Leewood Phu, Secretary General of NiDA, and Hyeun-Suk Rhee, Director of APCICT, the launch was attended by more than 70 senior policymakers from over 25 ministries, 10 universities and 10 international development agenices and NGOs. The four-day workshop aims to enhance awareness and strengthen knowledge on the effective use of ICTs for sustainable socio-economic development among Chief Information Officers, senior government officials from various ministries and agencies, representatives of international development agencies, and trainers who are committed to building national ICT capacity through the Academy Programme.
“As e-government systems mature with the expanded services, and as people’s expectations of the quality and efficiency of public service delivery grow, a new set of competencies is required for policymakers and project managers of e-government initiatives,” said Director Hyeun-Suk Rhee. “It is APCICT’s goal to strengthen capacities for utilizing effective and innovative ICT solutions that meet citizens’ needs and contribute to socio-economic development,” added Rhee.
The Academy, a flagship programme of APCICT, provides a comprehensive curriculum on the fundamentals of leveraging ICTs to achieve development goals. During the workshop, participants will be trained on the first three modules of the Academy: 1) The Linkage between ICT Applications and Meaningful Development; 2) ICT for Development Policy, Process and Governance; and 3) e-Government Applications.
Academy programmes have been delivered throughout Asia and the Pacific in Afghanistan, Cook Islands, Indonesia, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Samoa, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Tonga and Tuvalu.
For more information about the Academy, please visit http://www.unapcict.org/academy.
