Report on Training for Information Access Center (IAC ) Operators, November 6th – 16th, 2011 in Seoul, Republic of Korea

Abstract

A ten day IT program was organized for twelve participants, three each from Ghana, Nepal, Panama and Ukraine from the 6th – 16th November 2011 in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The program was organised by the National Information Agency (NIA) with the objective of equipping operators of Information Access Centers (IACs) to manage and operate these centers in their countries in line with the ideals of the Korean experience. These centers are supposed to be opened to the public where the community can access the Internet, free of charge and also train people to become IT literates in order to bridge the digital gap between the rich and the poor, between the rural and the urban societies. Lectures were delivered on various IT related topics by seasoned experts in the field. Topics covered include planning and management of IT curriculum, e-learning contents, networking information, and security of the infrastructural systems. Some equipment and facilities for video conferencing and software for creating e-learning contents, and basic computers that IACs need to have were promoted. Some policy issues and strategies to adopt to enhance IT literacy were shared based on the experiences of Korea so that participants would also learn from the experiences. Business tours were organised to institutions such as the Konkuk University, Seoul Data Center, and Seohwa Information Network Village to observe their IT infrastructure and systems and to help participants to understand the contents of the lectures. IT related companies such as AhnLab and LG CNS were also visited to understand their IT security services, operations and security products that they provide to support the IT infrastructure of Korea and to enhance the informatisation of the Korean society. The training was successful and an eye opener in equipping participants to manage their IACs. It however calls for hard work, commitment, and cooperation especially from the host institution’s administration to achieve success.