ICT conference kicks off

KATHMANDU, Feb 2:

The 15th edition of ICT Conference kicked off in Kathmandu on Sunday. The theme for this year´s conference is ´Information Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) and Social Transformation´.

Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) Federation has been organizing the two-day event on the sidelines of the CAN Info-Tech for the past 15 years.

Minister of Information and Communication (MoIC) Minendra Rijal inaugurated the conference amid a function on Sunday.

Amrit Pant, general secretary of CAN Federation, said that conference is being organized with an objective to retrospect the role of information, communication and technology (ICT) sector and to aid in the development of strategic plan for the sector.

This year the conference is focused around innovation of technology, its contribution toward human development, its socio-economic impact and regulatory aspects.

Inaugurating the expo, Minister Rijal said that the conference will help in the development of the ICT sector. “We have always kept ICT as a priority sector. It is a pleasure to note that 3G mobile network is expanding at a rapid pace. Private sector has helped a lot in the development of the ICT sector,” added Rijal.

Minister for Information and Communication Minendra Rijal (center) stands with dignitaries and government and Computer Association of Nepal Federation officials at the inauguration ceremony of the 15th edition of the ICT Conference in Kathmandu on Sunday.(Pratik Rayamajhi/Republica)

Krishna Chandra Paudel, secretary of Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment and Binod Dhakal, president of CAN Federation, said the conference will play a big role in the promotion and development of ICT sector.

On Sunday, Naveed Hak, manager of Internet Society of Asia Pacific Singapore and Sagar Ratna Bajracharya presented papers on ´Emerging Technology for ICT 4D´ in the first session. In the second session, which saw the participation of Chief Secretary Leela Mani Paudyal, experts presented paper on Public Service Delivery and Government Transformation.

Experts are scheduled to present papers on Knowledge Based Industry and Employment, and Professional Skill Development for ICT4D on Monday.

Professor Subhash Bhatnagar of Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmadabad is the keynote speaker of the conference.

Realizing that the impact and adoption of emerging information communication technologies is very slow in Nepal, CAN Federation had initiated the ICT Conference in 2001 with the aim to bring together national and international experts and IT enthusiasts to discuss about the latest trends and development throughout the globe.

Source: Republica