ICT Policy and Regulations Researches

I4D: Major ICT4D Projects in Malaysia

2009-02-11T07:37:00.000-08:00

January-2007

We are pleased to present a select collection of ICT4D projects in Malaysia. Readers who are aware of other projects making significant contributions may please share the details with the i4d readership.

e-Bario

• Location- Bario, Sarawak, Launched- May 1999
• Agencies involved: UNIMAS, STIC, Telekom Malaysia, IDRC, STIC
• e-Bario project is aimed at bringing ICT access to remote communities in Bario. This project has received the 2004 e-Asia award (by AFACT) in the digital divide category.
• Promoted by: Dr. Khairuddin Abdul Hamid, UNIMAS –Khair@fit.unimas. my
• Website: www.unimas.my/ebario/Main_index.htm

e-Homemakers

• Location- Kuala Lumpur (project management base), Launched- December 2001
• Agencies involved: DC one technology Sdn Bhd
• It is aimed at bringing ICT access to women and encouraging them to start home-based businesses. It was selected the runner up project in the Gender ICT awards in the 2005 AWID forum.
• Promoted by: Chong Sheau Ching, Corpcom Services Sdn Bhd.
• Website: www.ehomemakers.net/en/index.php

e-Pek@k

• Location- Klang Valley (Kuala Lumpur and Selangor), Launched- November 2000
• Agencies involved: Ministry of Edu-cation, Ministry of Health, Ministry of National Unity and social development.
• It is aimed at providing a visual medium for deaf people to access information, job services and peer support. It received a special award (2001) from the Malaysian chapter of the United Nations (PBB Malaysia) in recognition of their work in helping this special needs group.
• Promoted by Encik Mohammad Sazali Shaari, Malaysian Federation of deaf.
• Website: www.epekak.net.my/

e-Warga

• Location- Kuala Lumpur (project management base), Launched- June 2003
• Agencies involved: Bioenergy Sdn Bhd, DBKL
• This project is aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of Malaysia's urban poor by providing them ICT access in local resource centers.
• Website: www.medic.usm.my/e-warga/

e-Farmasi

• Location- Selangor, Launched- 2001
• Agencies involved: Universiti Kebang-saan, Ministry of health, Malaysian Pharmaceutical society
• This project aimed at providing online information on medicines and a self-care guide about minor ailments.
• Promoted by Ganeshan Shamugam, GS Vision Sdn Bhd
• Website: www.efarmasi.com.my/

AkisNet

• Location- Pokok Sena, Pelet, Penaga, Lahar Bubu, Launched- 2001
• Agencies involved: Ministry of agriculture, LFAs, Marditech Corpo-ration Sdn Bhd, Industrial and Financial Systems AB
• It is aimed at creating an e-Marketplace to assist local farming projects for developing cost-efficient solutions.
• Promoted by TMM Biotech Sdn Bhd
• Website: www.akisnet.com.my/

CikguNet

• Location- Kuala Lumpur, Launched- 2000
• Agencies involved: MIMOS Bhd, NUTP, USM, New Strait times etc.
• It is Malaysia's first education portal aimed at promoting e-Learning by making teaching resources, services, assistance available online.
• Website: www.cikgu.net.my/malay/

e-Learning in Islamic schools

• Location- Kuala Lumpur, Gombak, Launched- 2001
• Agencies involved: AAEN Sdn Bhd, Pusat Pendidikan Al-Amin
• It aimed at designing web-based courseware for Islamic subjects and developing ICT literacy training for students, parents and teachers.
• Promoted by Prof. Salwani Mohd Daud salwani@utmkl.utm.my
• Website: www.al-amin.edu.my/

TaniNet

• Location-Selangor, Launched- 1999
• Agencies involved: Bioenergy Sdn Bhd, LFA, Universiti Malaya, FOA
• It is aimed at creating a communication tool for farmers and their families and to share information on agriculture and biotechnology.
• Promoted by Dato' Dr Salleh Mohd Noor
• Website: www.taninet.com.my

Majuikan FAMA online

• Location- Kuala Lumpur, Launched- 2000
• Agencies involved: LKIM, FAMA
• It is aimed at facilitating online auctioning for fish, vegetables, poultry etc to shorten the delivery chain. The target was local farmers and fishermen.
• Promoted by Dr Nik Rushdi Nik Hassan, Psarborong Online Sdn Bhd
• Website: agrolink.moa.my/moa/

MyBiz

• Location- Kuala Lumpur, Launched- 90s
• Agencies involved: SMIDEC, BCB bank, MIMOS, Citibank, AT Kearney, Microsoft, Ariba
• It is aimed at helping small and medium organizations to migrate their business online to form an e-Community.
• Promoted by Mr Cheong Yuk Wai, MyBiz international Ltd.
• Website: www.mybiz.net/index.htm

SM@SY

• Location- Kuala Selangor, Launched- 1999
• Agencies involved: Aincom computer centre, KEMAS
• It is aimed at bringing ICT to a remote village- Kampung Raja Musa, interactive touch screen kiosks were provided.
• Promoted by Dr Lin Mui Kiang, Worldview foundation Malaysia
• Website: www.wview.com.my/smasy

e-Pondok

• Location- Kelantan, Launched- N/A
• Agencies involved: PPPB
• It aimed at promoting ICT awareness to the members of Pondok community (informal centres of Islamic learning).
• Promoted by Serambi Saujana Sdn Bhd
• Website: www.epondok.com.my/epondok

e-Kuantan.net

• Location- Pahang, Launched- 2002
• Agencies involved: MIMOS Bhd, The Media Shoppe
• It aimed at addressing low literacy levels and promote ICT awareness and e-Commerce.
• Promoted by SMK Tanah Putih, Pahang , contact Cikgu See Koon Suan seeks@pd.jaring.my
• Website- Not available (Under construction)

Nutriweb Malaysia

• Location- Kuala Lumpur, Launched- 1999
• Agencies involved: MIMCED Sdn Bhd, Versacomm Sdn Bhd
• It aimed to establish an e-community for people with a shared interest in nutrition, and to encourage healthy eating habits.
• Promoted by Nutrition society of Malaysia
• Website: www.nutriweb.org.my

Highland Business Community Station (Hibiscus)

• Location- Sabah, Launched- 2002
• Agency- IDS, Sabah
• It is aimed as a pilot project to assist farming communities in Sabah through use of ICT, by developing an e-Platform for business.
• Website: www.newsabahtimes.com.my/June2003/18.6/local4.htm

Community Communications Development Programme (CCDP)

• Location- Sarawak, Sabah, Kedah, Perak, Perlis, Pahang, Malacca, Launched-2002
• Agency- MCMC, Maxis communications, Time dotcom, state EPUs
• It aimed at introducing and encouraging growth in the usage of communications and multimedia based services to remote communities.
• Website: www.mcmc.gov.my/mcmc/newsdesk/press/ViewPressRelease. asp?cc=7768757&prrid=971111

I4D: ICT Policy - Perspectives and challenges

2009-02-11T07:29:00.000-08:00

The first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) held in Geneva in December 2003 made a commitment to ‘build a people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented information society, where everyone can create, access, utilise and share information and knowledge’. For making this a reality, a transparent and non-discriminatory ICT policy is necessary.

During the last 20 years, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have provided a wealth of new technological opportunities, with the rapid deployment of both the Internet and cellular telephony leading the way. These technologies have invaded every country that is willing to accept them. The most important differentiating factor now is policy. Policy makes the fundamental difference regarding how countries are able to take advantage of the technological opportunities available to them and exploit them for good. Countries that have progressive policies are seeing these technologies spread quickly. Conversely, countries that have not been able to formulate an integrated ICT policy yet have been plagued by slow growth of technology and the consequent lessening of support for economic and social development.

ICTs are now also an important enabling tools to support the process of development. The full potential of ICT can be realised, and it can be used to maximise the social, economic and environmental benefits of the society only if the ICT policies are effective. The policies should contain a particular approach as to how ICT for development will be achieved and ensure the collaboration of stakeholders in government, the private sector, civil society and international organisations. ICT policies and regulations are also needed to foster an environment, conducive to build an ICT infrastructure as well as leveraging ICTs for knowledge creation and dissemination.

Actors in ICT policy

Government
The government plays the most important role in the formulation of ICT policy, and thus, it only decides how countries are able to take advantage of the technical opportunities available to them and exploit them for good. In the Republic of Korea, for example, the government took the lead in promoting development of the Internet. In Egypt, the dynamic Ministry of Communications and Information Technology played a strong role in catalysing telecommunications development in the country.

Most of the high income countries have one integrated ICT master plan, where telecommunications and IT policies form part of one development plan. The old sectoral framework for policy-making based on broadcasting, telecommunications and information technology has now been shifted to a new layered framework where all the tools of ICT work cohesively, focusing on social and economic development. A central body may be needed to coordinate and oversee all policy issues driving competitiveness centrally to ensure policy coherence across different policy domains and to make sure that efforts in some fields are not held up by bottlenecks in other areas.

For this reason, several countries have established high-level task forces entrusted with monitoring and overseeing the implementation of integrated policies for ICTs, such as the ICT taskforce in Australia and the National Information Technology Council in Malaysia. These task forces are often build on principles of public-private partnership and collaboration between government and the private sector, to ensure that policy making can respond quickly to firms’ needs and concerns.

Private sectors
Although policies are formally put in place by governments, different stakeholders and in particular, the private sector make inputs into the policy process and affect its outcomes. In the context of globalised markets, large and rich corporations are often more powerful than developing countries’ governments, allowing them to shape the policy-making process. When Mexico was considering adopting free software in its education system, Microsoft offered fund and free licences to the government, which eventually dropped GNU/Linux and embraced Windows completely.

International organisations
International organisations also influence the policies of the countries. The five organisations that dominate mainstream dialogue on global ICT policy issues are:

* The International Telecommunications Union because of its mandate for telecommunications within the United Nations system;
* The World Intellectual Property Organisation because it is responsible for setting the rules that govern ownership of content on the Internet;
* The World Trade Organisation because it sets the rules for international trade;
* The World Bank because of the financial and technical resources it brings to bear on development;
* The World Economic Forum because of its ability to convene the world’s rich and powerful.

Elements and aspirations associated
The formulation and implementation of national ICT strategies that deal effectively with the preceding challenges must be particularly sensitive to two elements:

* The need for mechanisms to monitor and assess ICT readiness, usage and impact;
*
The need to link ICT policies to other development policies such as education, trade and health, to allow broad-based diffusion of ICT.

Uneven diffusion of technology and inequality in access to technologies are the major stumble blocks of development. A major challenge for policy-makers at the national and international level, therefore, lies in addressing the issue of the digital divide between rich and poor countries, rural and urban areas, men and women, skilled and unskilled citizens, and large and small enterprises. The policy should also help people and organisations to adapt to new circumstances and technology.

Thus, an ideal ICT policy should try to meet the following aspirations:

* Providing individuals and organisations with a minimum level of ICT knowledge and the ability to keep it up to date;
* Providing information and communication facilities, services and management at a reasonable or reduced cost;
* Improving the quality of services and products;
* Encouraging use of technology and innovations in technology use;
* Promoting information sharing, transparency and accountability;
* Identifying priority areas for ICT development;
* Developing new legislations and policies according to the need of the development.

Policies affecting the society
An ICT policy framework that corresponds to international best practices and standards provide the springboard for ICT applications to be used in many sectors to stimulate economic growth and improve the quality of life. The policies that affect the following sectors of society are:

* Students: Policies that address the curriculum reforms and budgetary issues associated with the deployment and maintenance of computer systems in educational institutes will influence the education of the students.
* Underserved community: Policies that address interconnection between land and cellular phone lines, and free market competition often result in an expansion of cellular phone service at affordable prices. Those traditionally underserved (rural areas, the poor, women, or the elderly) have increased access to telephone service for personal, health, political, or business needs when cellular service is cheaper and accessible in rural and hard-to-reach areas. Policies that address the allocation of the radio spectrum to include community radio stations can mean an increased number and range of locally run, locally owned radio, a prime method of communication with rural, largely illiterate communities.
* Civil society: Policies that allow Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to multiply on the market can result in a decrease in the cost of Internet access, making e-mail accounts affordable to local NGOs and other community groups. This increases the efficiency and networking ability of these groups helping their work to reach their target populations.
* Industries: Clear regulations concerning copyright, intellectual property rights and cyber crime help local ICT industries compete with the international companies.

Obstacles ahead
The problems that are associated with the adequate implementation of ICT policies specially in developing countries are as follows:

* The government identifies IT as tool for development but most of the policies lead to sectoral development of IT in software rather than focusing on social induced development;
* Many countries do not have definitive National ICT Development Master Plan;
* There is lack of availability and also unbalanced distribution of information and telecommunication infrastructures in most of the countries;
* Various studies have reported that people’s awareness and knowledge of the benefits of ICT is considerably low and needs to be enhanced;
* A major reason of difficulty for the developing countries is their inability to keep pace with the continuous and rapid speed of ICT innovation and development.

Need of the hour
ICT policies need to recognise the above caveats and offer ways to overcome the constraints. Governments, regional organisations, and international organisations responsible for the formulation and adoption of ICT policies are urged to develop and adhere to adequately resourced action plans that designate responsible actors, timelines, and priorities as appropriate for the particular circumstances. Political will is also an important stimulator of policy decision and it is stimulated by stakeholder groups voicing their needs. These stakeholders include not only the government, but also the business sector and civil society groups. An active participation of civil society and the private sector ensure a strong partnership to sustain a policy process. If we want to promote social justice, then ICT policy will be a key factor in this battle, and we cannot afford to remain outside the ICT policy-making process.

Sejuti Sarkar De

European & Malaysia Set To Expand Cooperation In ICT Field

2009-02-11T07:25:00.000-08:00

( 17/6/2008 )

KUALA LUMPUR, June 16 (Bernama) -- The European Union and Malaysia are set to deepen their cooperation in the field of information communication technology with the official visit of its Commissioner for Information Society and Media, Vivian Reding, to Kuala Lumpur here this week.

Reding is scheduled to meet the Minister of Energy, Water and Communications Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor, Director of the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission Datuk Dr Halim Shafie and Multimedia Development Corporation (MDec) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Halim Shafie, a statement issued by the European Commission said here Monday.

Reding is responsible for the negotiation and enforcement of the EU's ICT policy and in her meeting with the Malaysian officials, she is expected to discuss various issues including the liberalisation of telecommunication services, ICT research cooperation, information society policies and regulations, 3G and mobile TV.

-- BERNAMA

European & Malaysia Set To Expand Cooperation In ICT Field

2009-02-11T07:24:00.000-08:00

Asian Forum on Information and Communication Technology Policies and e-Strategies

2009-02-11T06:44:00.000-08:00

Asian Forum on ICT Policies and e-Strategies
20-22 October 2003
Keynote Address
by
H.E. Datuk Amar Leo Moggie
Minister of Energy, Communications and Multimedia Malaysia

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and gentlemen

Let me begin by extending a very warm welcome to Your Excellencies and all our distinguished foreign delegates to Malaysia. I would like to thank the UNDP for hosting this Forum here in Kuala Lumpur with the full support of the Ministry of Energy, Communications and Multimedia Malaysia.

I am told that this Forum is aimed at fostering collaboration and information sharing on ICT policies and e-strategies among countries in the Asian region with participation from the highest levels of national governments as well as the private sector, civil society and international organizations.

I am happy to note that the outcome of this Forum will be the “Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ICT Policies and e-strategies” which will serve as an input to the World Summit on Information Society scheduled for December 2003 in Geneva.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Where ICT policy and strategies are concerned, it has been observed that countries generally adopt two broad national strategic frameworks. The first is ICT as a Production Sector and the second is ICT as an Enabler of Development. In pursuing ICT as a Production Sector the primary focus is on industry development for regional and global competitiveness.

In the context of ICT as an Enabler of Development the focus shifts towards socio- economic concerns. Here the concern is primarily to ensure wider application and usage of ICT. While the two categories are unique in terms of the policy and strategy approaches, they are also mutually dependent in terms of contributing to the overall development of the nation.

The rapid growth and development of the ICT industry will mean very little if vast numbers of people continue to be marginalized in terms of access to and use of ICT. On the same note a high level of economic development cannot result in a knowledge and information based society if the ICT infra and info structure remains relatively underdeveloped. It is therefore important for ICT policy and strategic frameworks at the national level to reflect a balance between economic and social concerns.

In Malaysia our ICT policy and strategy framework has sought to find a balance between sectoral growth and the application of ICT for achieving socio-economic goals. Our ICT policy is guided by the Vision 2020, which aims to transform and propel Malaysia into a fully developed nation, with ICT being one of the key enablers. The ultimate goal of our ICT policy is to create a truly knowledge-based society in Malaysia. A key initiative for achieving this goal is the Multimedia Super Corridor.

I am sure that the MSC needs no introduction to most of you here. It is an initiative to encourage national and international investment in ICT to spur growth in the ICT sector with spill-over effects to the rest of the economy. This will be achieved through the provision of an attractive set of financial and non-financial incentives, and the creation of an enabling environment conducive for investment and growth.

The MSC is at the end of its planned First Phase this year and I am pleased to inform that it is well on track and on time. We now have more than 900 MSC Status companies, which is two times more than our initial target. Of these close to 60 are “World Class Multinationals” with familiar names such as DHL, Shell, HSBC, Fujitsu, Ericsson, all of which have sites located within the MSC region. The Fourth MSC Impact Survey concluded recently revealed that developments within the MSC have resulted in tangible economic benefits in the form of revenue, employment created and innovation.

Based on the information provided by more than 600 active MSC companies in the survey, the projected revenue for 2003 is RM 6 billion or US$1.5 billion. Of this RM 1 billion or US$ 250 million is export revenue. About 60% of these companies are expected to be profitable – this is quite an achievement considering the high failure rate among industries in this sector.

Besides revenue and profit, developments within the MSC have resulted in the creation of 21,000 jobs. Although we have allowed free movement for foreign knowledge workers, most of these jobs have been filled by Malaysians reflecting the availability of skilled ICT workforce in the country.

With the success of the First Phase, the MSC is now poised to enter its Second Phase next year, which will see a more wider nationwide rollout with the involvement of State Governments. Several State Governments have already initiated their own ICT Programs such as the establishment of incubators which can act as the nuclei for the rollout of the MSC and future ICT development in the States.

As part of the initiative to drive the MSC, seven innovative flagship applications were developed by a consortia of local and foreign companies working closely with government agencies. These Flagship Applications are e-government; multipurpose card; smart schools; telehealth; R&D clusters; technopreneur development; and e-Business clusters. These Flagship applications have significant implications for broadening the scope for ICT usage in various sectors of the economy.

Our ICT policy has also given due consideration to the socio-economic concerns of ICT development in the country in particular those concerning the digital divide. Here the key focus has been to provide connectivity to overcome the ICT infrastructure deficit, particularly in rural and underserved areas and secondly to promote ICT skills among the people through e-learning and digital literacy programs.

To ensure that all Malaysians can have access to basic communications facilities the Universal Services Program (USP) has been put in place. Under this program a USP Fund has been created into which all licensees except the content applications services providers will contribute a fixed amount on an annual basis. The regulation managing this fund allows any licensee to bid and construct new or additional infrastructure in underserved areas and get paid from this fund. The priority will be to provide access to basic telephone service and the Internet in all parts of the country; where there are resource constraints, community access will have priority over individual access.

To further complement the initiatives under the USP Fund, the Government has also allocated a total of US$250 billion under the current five-year development plan for the provision of communications infrastructure to key facilities such as schools, clinics and community centres in rural and underserved areas.

Development of digital literacy is being accorded the highest priority by the Government in our efforts to move towards a knowledge-based society. In line with this the Government has adopted a high IT- focus education system with emphasis on English, IT, Mathematics, science and technology. The Smart-Schools Flagship developed under the MSC will enable the wider application of ICT not only in teaching but also in the management of schools. Plans are now underway to connect all schools with broadband connection under the SchoolNet Project.

Other initiatives to promote digital literacy include re-training of workers in ICT skills as well as basic computer skills development through the Rural Internet Centres.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am aware that many countries represented here today are now in the process of restructuring their policy and regulatory frameworks to better facilitate the development of their ICT industry. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you Malaysia’s own experiences in this matter and offer some thoughts on key concerns and issues.

As you are aware, in 1998 the Government of Malaysia passed the Communications and Multimedia Act, which put in place a new regulatory framework for a converged communications and multimedia sector. The new Act which is technology-neutral and service-neutral, did away with vertical markets, such as markets for television services, radio broadcast services, mobile network services, fixed network services, data services and so on. We used to have dozens of these vertical markets, some with just two or three players. The new Act did away with all of them and organized the converged communications and networked multimedia sector into just four horizontal markets, i.e. a market for network facilities, a market for network services, a market for applications services, and a market for content applications services. In the absence of general competition law in Malaysia, the Act also contains provisions on competition in the communications and networked multimedia sector, empowering the regulator to act as the competent authority for the sector.

The new Act has also introduced the concept of self-regulation that allows key stakeholders such as industry players, consumers, and special-interest groups to form industry forums for the purpose of developing voluntary industry codes. Although compliance with a registered voluntary industry code is not mandatory, there is an incentive to do so because those complying with it may use it as a defence against any prosecution, action or proceeding of any nature, whether in a court or otherwise. Codes have been drafted or are being drafted in relation to consumer protection, content standards, access, and technical standards.

Our approach to the converging sector of communications and networked multimedia has contributed to clearer thinking on the introduction of new services. For example, when VoIP came along, there were no debates about its technological pedigree; it just fitted in under the applications services market. The introduction of 3G services does not require additional licensing; it only requires the allocation of 3G spectrum through competitive bidding.

Looking back over the last five years, I think our new regulatory framework has proven to be robust, flexible and effective. It has facilitated the introduction of new services and technologies. Instead of trying to figure out how a new service or a new technology fits in, the regulator only has to know what market or markets they serve and how they would impact those markets.

Our experience has also brought some important lessons. The first lesson is that fundamental changes in an industry regulatory framework are not just an industry event. In a sector as big as communications and networked multimedia, the changes and their implications must be clearly communicated to other stakeholders, for example, industry analysts, the financial institutions and the media. For instance, financial institutions knew how to deal with telcos and ISPs but have problems when application services providers or network services providers approach them.

The second lesson is that mindsets take time to change, making it difficult for some to adjust to the new regulatory framework. A lot of time is therefore spent on getting our language and orientations right so that we know we are talking about the same things and that we share the same mental pictures when we talk.

My third point is that developing countries in particular have to think very carefully about introducing vertically integrated facilities-based competition as they can impose unnecessary drain on limited resources. Creating horizontal markets would allow different degrees of regulatory oversight in the different markets e.g. regulate more strictly in the upstream investment-intensive facilities market and be more open in the downstream retail market.

With the creation of horizontal markets, however, there could be facilities consolidation without affecting competition in retail. We have been pushing for facilities sharing, e.g. the sharing of towers, and there is now a company dedicated to facilities development and operation. Besides contributing to lower costs, facilities sharing minimises civil works and reduces visual pollution. Incidentally, our 3G rollout also focuses on upstream facilities sharing and downstream competition.

Finally, under the mantra of market liberalisation, competition and efficiency, we sometimes forget that purely market mechanisms do not address social equity. There is a need to balance efficiency with equity. With a national fixed line penetration of 20%, a mobile phone penetration of 40% and a PC penetration of 15%, Malaysia is still well behind the ICT penetration levels of developed economies. It is therefore very important to have a good universal service provision programme in place, which must be attractive enough to get licensees to play rather than just pay.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen

Before I conclude my address, I would like to share one final thought with all of you. Perhaps the most important factor for a successful ICT policy and strategy framework is the need for political will and commitment at the very highest level. ICT development is a new phenomena which requires us to look at new ways of doing things. The choice to pursue ICT development involves a shift in strategy, which calls for national commitment to examine existing institutions policies and legislations to align them to the new direction. This is not always easy. Hence political commitment from the highest level is essential in ensuring that call for change is contagious at all levels of society.

With this, I would like to conclude with the hope that you will have a fruitful discussion at this Forum and an enjoyable stay here in Malaysia.

Reinvention of Future Governance through E-Government

2009-02-11T06:33:00.000-08:00

By: Sonny Zulhuda*

Introduction

This paper is aimed at assessing the perspectives and experiences of Malaysia on the concept and application of electronic government (e-government), more on policy context. Attempts are made to observe preparatory initiatives taken by the government of Malaysia in three distinctive but interconnected aspects: administrative measures, regulatory frameworks, and public participation. Some update applications of e-government in Malaysia will also be touched at the later part. This paper will be ended by underlining the lessons that can be learned by Indonesia in seeking the best format for e-government application, especially in tabling policies and regulatory framework.

E-Government Defined

Electronic Government (E-Government) is variably defined, but basically refers to “the use by government agencies of information technologies (such as Wide Area Networks, the Internet, and mobile computing) that have the ability to transform relations with citizens, businesses, and other arms of government.”[1] Nevertheless in this context, this general meaning of the Information Technology (IT) has been so much associated to the use of the Internet. Thus e-government would generally mean the development and utilization of Internet-based solutions in government services and works. Exactly like e-commerce, which is a utilization of Internet-based solutions in business activities.

This form of solutions are seen to serve a variety of different ends: better delivery of government services to citizens, improved interactions with business and industry, citizen empowerment through access to information, or more efficient government management.

Stages of E-Government

Analogous to the concept of E-Commerce, E-Government can be seen to evolve through four stages:

Publishing
Interactivity
Completing transactions
Delivery

Publishing stage includes mainly making as much as possible the information on government services publicly available for access by citizens through the Net. This would include the making of portals and websites for government agencies, also the updating of government programs and information to be widely informed to the citizens.

Interactivity stage is realized when such Internet-based service can invite and accommodate responses from public through the Net. That is for instance making a mechanism where citizen can forward their questions, complaints, or suggestions so as to make the Internet-based relation interactive and going two ways.

Completing transaction stage happens when the ongoing two-way relationship through the Net can be brought to result in a complete transaction between two parties (e.g. between the government agency and citizen). For example, when there is a facility on the Net for citizen to pay their electric or water bills to a government body without having to come physically to the agency’s office. This is also exemplified when a business sector wants to get tender for a government project through the Net. The other instance is when a private individual can sign up for getting license required for certain business.

Delivery stage is an advance level of e-government service. This is achieved when a government provides the delivery of its service through the Internet mechanism.

Malaysia’s Experience on E-Government

Malaysia is a federation of thirteen states and a federal territory, adopts a system of constitutional monarchy, that is, a monarch that subjects to a constitution. King is the head of state/country while Prime Minister is the head of government. Malaysia’s population is currently about 23.8 million people and mainly comprise of three major ethnics: Malay, Chinese, Indian, and the rest is from other native races in both Malay Peninsula and Borneo parts.[2]

Since independence in 1957 and throughout the past four decades, Malaysia has changed quite tremendously from a country that leaned so much on agricultural sector of development to the highly industrial sector and labor exploitation. Ahead to the end of 90’s, Malaysia is preparing towards another shift from industrial society to a knowledge-based society where information and knowledge are deemed to be the engine of growth of the country.

In 1991, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad launched for the first time in public his long-term planning for Malaysia to become a fully developed country in the year 2020. This planning is now widely known as Vision 2020, and was adopted in the Seventh Malaysia Plan of 1996-2000. With this new vision, Malaysia is expected to shift the paradigm of development from the old industrial perspective to the new informational one. It is asserted by Malaysia’s Prime Minister that the manufacturing sector has become the mainstay for Malaysia’s sustained economic growth of between 7 and 8 percent over the last two decades.[3] But this growth would not last long unless there is a succeeding second engine of growth if Malaysia is to achieve Vision 2020. And according to him, one consistent pounding beat was digital technology. Thus, Malaysia decided to make the Information and Communication Technology the engine of growth within all economic sectors.

Pursuant to this perspective, Malaysia is therefore aiming at a ‘reinvention of future life’ through the IT power. Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) project is planned and executed as a test-bed with some strategic flagship applications. It tries to reinvent the future education through smart school flagship. It seeks to reinvent the future health care through the telemedicine flagship. It seeks to reinvent the future interaction through telecommunication enhancement. It seeks to reinvent the future business activities through e-commerce. And above all, it seeks to reinvent the future governance through the application of e-government.

E-government is seen as the ‘umbrella’ concept of all those new flagships in the series of MSC project. That is because the very function of government itself is to ensure all aspects of public life going smoothly to the happiness of every body. Consequently, Malaysia takes quick and speedy initiatives in preparing and implementing the concept of e-government.

Malaysia perceives that Electronic Government will improve both how the government operates internally as well as how it delivers services to the people of Malaysia.[4] It seeks to improve the convenience, accessibility and quality of interactions with citizens and businesses; simultaneously, it will improve information flows and processes within government to improve the speed and quality of policy development, coordination and enforcement. In addition, Electronic Government will play an essential role in catalyzing the development of the MSC, as well as furthering political and economic development goals in Vision 2020.

Pre-requisite Administrative Measures

Among the initiatives taken by the Malaysian government to support the implementation of E-government concept are:

Malaysia Inc. Concept

This concept envisages the most important perspective subscribed by the government of Malaysia. It basically says that the whole nation of Malaysia should participate in the development of new society. The government and private sectors would have to cooperate hand by hand and to work side by side to achieve the common goal. This concept is to create the feeling of togetherness of the nation to uphold such a big task of transforming the society to the aim of Vision 2020.

Restructuring the Government

Towards the era where information flows freely through the advance technology, Malaysian government is concerned about the effectiveness and efficiency of its management. Thus they try to slim down the structure by holding only the strategic public portfolios within the government machinery such as defense, justice and finance, and to privatize much of the rest. In this respect, public good and services functions such as telecommunications, power and railway transportation, traditionally under the aegis of the government, have now been privatized.[5]

Putrajaya Administrative City

For the whole great Vision 2020 to be achieved, Malaysia moves ahead by moving and concentrating all headquarters of government agencies and ministries from capital city Kuala Lumpur to the newly constructed administrative capital city of Putrajaya Federal Administrative Centre, about 25 kilometers south down Kuala Lumpur in 1998. The move is not merely a physical one, but symbolic of the paradigm shift of the government from the old legacies of paper administration towards online and interconnected administration; from the old industry-based society to a new information-based one. This move is also mainly to ease the congestion in Kuala Lumpur, to centralize previously scattered Federal government offices, and to increase KL’s competitiveness as the biggest commercial center in the country.

Cyberjaya Intelligent City

This is the first model cybercity built for MSC companies and its knowledge workers. As an intelligent city, Cyberjaya will be equipped with advanced IT and telecommunications infrastructure to meet business, residential and recreational needs of the residents within the development. Served by state-of-the-art telecommunications network with a capacity of 2.5-10 gigabits per second, Cyberjaya is expected to be accommodating around 500 IT and multimedia companies by the year 2020.

The Administration of Internet Policies

Another important measure taken to anticipate the e-government application is to hand over all administrative measures on Internet development under one roof. It is the Ministry of Energy, Telecommunication and Multimedia that is responsible for the policies and development of the Internet and related matters including the legislation of Cyber Laws and their enforcement.

In-House Training for Government Agencies

In the wake of emerging Internet technology and the way it influences the policies and regulations, the Malaysian government seeks to educate its officials and public servants to be IT literate. In-house trainings have been organized focusing on the use of Internet for their daily official activities as well as familiarizing the regulations and laws pertaining to the Internet. On this project, the Ministry of Energy, Communication and Multimedia joined private sectors and academicians to organize seminars and training

Massive Allocation on ICT Budget 2002

The national ICT agenda aims to create a knowledgeable, informed and ICT–savvy society. The Government has allocated an amount of RM. 112.7 million to implement the E-Government Flagship Project, Rm. 72.3 million for Smart Schools, Rm. 20 million for Telemedicine, Rm. 86.3 million for Smart Card and Rm. 9.5 million for Integrated Application. Apart from this, an amount of RM. 487.67 million is allocated to increase the computerization programme in ministries and departments and Rm. 205.5 million for computerization of schools.[6]

Legal and Regulatory Framework

As touched earlier, the backbone concept and working of E-Government is mainly the Internet-based solutions and service. Therefore, legal certainty in the Internet is a substantial and initial if Malaysia were to achieve its new digital technology perspective. Aware of this, the Government of Malaysia formally pledges its commitment to become a regional leader in Intellectual Property (IP) protection and Cyber laws.

Through the Ministry of Energy, Communication and Multimedia and the parliament, Malaysia has enacted and passed a number of pioneer cyber laws since 1997. Among its pivotal aim is to provide a comprehensive framework of societal and commerce-enabling laws, which encompass aspects concerning security of information and network integrity and reliability.[7] These cyber laws have been designed to create the right environment for the development of the communications and multimedia industry and to position Malaysia as a major hub for the communications and multimedia information and content services.

In the context of e-government application, these laws are also important to enable the smooth running of the governance. Since the government itself would also be subject to the laws, their existence will ensure the process well managed and regulated.

Several cyber laws that have been passed in Malaysia are:

1. Communications and Multimedia Act 1998

Being the most significant legislation that was brought into force on the 1st April 1999, this legislation provides the policy and regulatory framework for convergence of the telecommunications, broadcasting and computer industries. The Act is based on the basic principles of transparency and clarity; more competition and less regulations; bias towards generic rules; regulatory forbearances; emphasis on process rather than content; administrative and sector transparency; and industry self-regulation.

2. Digital Signature Act 1997

This Act regulates the legal recognition and authentication of the originator of an electronic document. It also enumerates several legal effects of digital signature in matters relating to evidence and transaction.

3. Computer Crimes Act 1997

The Act makes offences, among other things, an unauthorized access to computer material, unauthorized modification of the contents of any computer, and wrongful communication. It imposes criminal penalties on fraudulent or dishonest acts even when committed outside of the country.

4. The Copyright (Amendment) Act 1997

Provides copyright protection on-line, including the protection of a computer-related works from being infringed. This is an amendment to the existing Copyright Act. Thus it only gives more powers to be more effective in the wake of digital changes.

5. The Telemedicine Act 1997

Regulates the application of telemedicine in Malaysia as to who may practice it, and how, and also related rights of the patient therefore.

6. Personal Data Protection Bill 2000

This Bill is still in the process of socialization and is not yet tabled and passed by the parliament. The aim of this law is to regulate the collection, possession, processing and use of personal data by any person/organization or even the government so as to provide protection to an individual’s personal data and safeguard the privacy of an individual. It also seeks to establish a set of common rules and guidelines on handling and treatment of personal data by any person / organization

Some Policy Initiatives and Public Awareness

There are basically two players in the implementation of e-government: government themselves and the citizen or the public at large. Thus the application of e-government without active participation of public is meaningless. Public participation is a necessity, and public awareness and familiarity to computers and Internet technology is seen as pre-requisite to the success of e-government. Recent statistics show an increase in the number of computer ownership as well as the number of Internet hosts and Internet subscribers in Malaysia. There are currently about 30 Internet hosts available in Malaysia for every thousand people.[8] And in 1998 at least, the Internet subscribers in Malaysia had reached 450,000 people.[9] All these increase is partly achieved due to government efforts in campaigning the IT and creating an IT literate generation.

To achieve the aimed level of public awareness, various efforts have been done by the Malaysian government. [10]

They have organized seminars, talks, national IT week with a host of activities such as writing competition, quizzes, etc. and used the media such as television, radio and newspapers to promote an IT culture and IT awareness.

Besides, the government has emphasized IT-related education and training and the setting up as well as upgrading of vocational and technical schools to increase the IT literacy rate.

The government restructures the education system to include basic computer literacy for all, and has moved forward on promoting learning with computers.

Local universities have embarked on distance learning program using the Internet and the videoconferencing. The establishment of UNITAR, the virtual university, and Multimedia University has introduced a new educational dimension in IT era and would provide Malaysian citizens more options to upgrade their knowledge and skills.

However, it is highlighted that most of these projects are notably top-down pilot projects started by restricted pilot institutions. It is observed that in many cases these projects remain restricted in the pilot schools and institutions and yet become of nationwide effect. This is the common consequence when a pilot project is not led to a greater impact and abandoned more public participation.

E-Government in Practice

There are mainly five pilot applications for electronic government that have been prioritized.[11] While there are different levels of achievements that have been reached by each of these pilot projects, it is however certain that progresses are underway. Those pilot applications are:

1. Project Monitoring System (PMS)

This assists inert-government collaboration through three phases of Operational Functions, Managerial Functions and best practices knowledge and report generation for decision makers.

Progress Reporting
Change Control
Execution information
Decision support

2. Human Resource Management Information System (HRIMS)

It addresses the present and future needs of Human Resource Management in the civil service. Developing applications include automating operational processes and information decimation.

Online job postings / application
Manpower forecasts

3. Generic Office Environment (GOE)

Provides a fully integrated, distributed and scalable paperless working environment for the Prime Minister’s Office. Staff will have easy and up-to-date access of accurate information.

Information management, e.g. scanning, Data repository
Communication, e.g. Video conference, Meeting management
Collaboration, e.g. Decision Tracking, Groupware

4. Electronic Procurement (EP)

Automates the process for procurement of goods and service between buyers and public sectors via Internet communication.

Central Contracts
Direct purchases
Quotation
Tender

5. Electronic Delivery Services (E-Services++)

This is an alternate method for transactions and interactions between the public and the government via electronic delivery channels of Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Interactive Voice response (IVR), Web TV, Kiosks and Personal Computers.

Driver’s license
Electricity bills
Telephone bills
Health Information

Apart from these pilot applications of e-government that has been laid up systematically and gradually, there is another flagship application under the main flagships on the Multimedia Super Corridor project, which is very much related and supportive to the creation and implementation of e-government. That application is called Multi-Purpose Card or MPC.

This application seeks to develop a single and common platform for a card with a chip or microprocessor that has the capability to perform a wide range of functions, including data processing, storage and file management.

Eight applications have been selected for inclusion in the initial MPC roll out, including the National ID, driving license, immigration to complement passports, health card, electronic cash, debit, ATM and credit card.[12]

What Indonesia can Learn from Here

In this final part, It is submitted that Malaysia has taken very proactive and brave measures towards the realization of e-government, which should end in maintaining prosperity of its people with lesser cost of governance through the advancement of the Information Technology. The planning was long and visionary thus reducing the potential cultural shock.

Nevertheless, there are still loopholes to be corrected, and weaknesses to be cured. The most important thing to have is the willingness to try. There are many ways that Indonesia can share and learn from Malaysian experiences. The most notables are the following:

Long-term Planning with Strategic Vision

E-government is a big concept dealing with complicated matters of overall aspects of our life. It is imperative for the Indonesian government to lay down well-planned strategies, short term and long term, with sufficient budget allocation to allow the realization of systematic e-government. Malaysia has started it as early as the beginning of 90’s and projected the planning within at least 30 years towards the Vision 2020.

Decentralization of the Process

The government should bear in mind that the process to an e-government is not solely their own business. It is for all people. Thus efforts need to be combined also from privates sectors, academician, and other communities of society so as to create the sense of belonging for the e-government to be created. Besides, the potentials from different parts of the country need also be considered and joined in the policy making. This is inline with the emerging spirit of autonomy across the country’s regions.

Preparing Skilled Manpower

Manpower is the key of the success that also means quite great amount of investment. The government should prepare the local skilled manpower thus it will reduce burden of hiring costly foreign workers while at the same time enhancing the quality of local workers.

Educational Curriculum

Very much related to the previous point, our educators should rethink the best way to introduce computer and the Internet to the school children. The idea is, the earlier the child being familiar to the IT, the easier the process will be towards e-government in Indonesia.

Cyber Legislation

Regulatory framework should be tabled comprehensively to anticipate all possible problems that might be created due to the Internet transaction. This is important to create an environment supportive to the e-government process and IT-driven civil society. The current attempts of drafting the cyber laws need to be boosted to meet the speedy change brought by the Internet.

Internet Policies under One Roof

The Indonesian government should take measures to enable all Internet-related matters, from the administration to the implementation, be concentrated by one single ministry or agency, instead of scattering them in many different ministries like what we have now.

Maintaining Regional Cooperation

Last but not least, the Indonesian Government should maintain regional cooperation and improve it to the highest possible productivity degree. That is because still many things on e-government projects that can be shared and learned from neighboring countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

* This paper was presented in National Conference on Electronic Government 2002, Institute of Technology, Bandung, Indonesia.

END NOTES:

[1] The World Bank Group, E*Government Definition, available at http://www1.worldbank.org/publicsector/egov/definition.htm

[2] Based on Current Statistic from the Statistics Department, available at http://www.statistics.gov.my

[3] Mahathir Mohamad, Multimedia Super Corridor, Pelanduk Publications, Kuala Lumpur, 1998, p. 8

[4] Electronic Government Flagship Applications of MSC, available at http://www.msc.com.my/mdc/flagships/eg.asp

[5] Mahathir Mohamad, Regional Cooperation and the Digital Economy, Pelanduk Publication, Kuala Lumpur, 2000, p. 64

[6] Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysian Budget 2002 Speech, available at http://www.channelnewsasia.com/malaysianbudget/fulltext.htm

[7] Ministry of Energy, Communication and Multimedia Malaysia, http://www.ktkm.ntmyne.com.my

[8] The Economist, World in Figures, 2002

[9] Economic Planning Unit Malaysia, Malaysian Quality of Life, 1999, p. 43

[10] Lee Sai-Leong, “National IT Policy and Information Equity: Equalizing the Imbalance,” in Roger W. Harris (ed.), Conference on Information Technology in Asia: Information Equality for the Next Millennium, IFIP, Kuching, 1999, pp. 346-366, at p. 363; also read Siowck-Lee Gan, “An Overview of Information Technology and Education in Malaysia,” in Felix B. Tan (ed.), Information Technology Diffusion in the Asia Pacific: Perspectives on Policy, Electronic Commerce and Education, Idea Group, Hershey, USA, 1999, pp. 208-220

[11] Government Flagship Applications of MSC, available at http://www.msc.com.my/mdc/flagships/eg.asp

[12] Mahathir Mohamad, supra n.3, p. 59

Rural Information and Communication Technology Policy Advocacy, Knowledge Sharing, and Capacity Building

2009-02-11T06:14:00.000-08:00

Regional

RETA: REG 41093-01

Project Name
Rural Information and Communication Technology Policy Advocacy, Knowledge Sharing, and Capacity Building

Executing Agency
Asian Development Bank

Contact	:	Hyunjung Lee
Tel. No.	:	+63(2) 632-5835

TA Amount (US$ '000)
500.00

Activity Type
Others

Date of First Listing
10 December 2008

Project Impact

The TA aims to contribute to improving policy, legal, and regulatory environments to make them more conducive to the rapid deployment of ICT infrastructure and services for rural development.

Project Outcome

At the completion of the TA, it is envisaged that the TA will enhance the participating countries' capacity in planning, implementing, and monitoring their policies, and legal and regulatory frameworks for rural ICT development with better implementation mechanisms and tools and through knowledge sharing activities.

Project Outputs

The TA has 3 Outputs: (i) case studies and toolkit development, (ii) policy analysis and improvement, and (iii) knowledge sharing and capacity building. Component A: Case Studies and Toolkit Development. Building upon the relevant publications and studies undertaken by the World Bank, ITU, WTO and other development partners and researches from the academy, firstly this component will review the theoretic literatures, internationally governing or recommended frameworks (including WTO), and empirical researches on the different policy and regulation schemes and practices (both government-driven and market-based approaches) used to encourage rural ICT development and to implement universal service program, and based on such review, will develop the frameworks of the case studies and the outcomes of policy toolkits respectively. Following the developed frameworks and outlines, secondly the component will conduct case studies on the above identified six countries, particularly focused on their impact performance in rural ICT development and universal service provision and related success and failure factors. The methodologies to be used include the interviews, focus group discussions, surveys, and/or workshops with local stakeholders including telecommunication/ICT network and service providers and internet-based business companies, NGOs, reserach institutes, local governments and authorities, municipalities, and other concerned stakeholders. Thirdly, based on the literature review as well as the findings from case studies, policy toolkits will be developed for ICT policymakers and regulators to support their rural ICT development and universe service program. This will consist of (a) policy design principles and general guidelines and (b) toolkit for ICT policymakers and regulators to develop necessary and appropriate policies and regulations for rural ICT development and universal service provision. Particular attention will be given to the rural broadband expansion. Component B: Polciy Analysis and Recommendations in Cambodia and Mongolia. This component will analyze relevant policies, strategies, and legal and regulatory frameworks related to rural ICT development and universal service program in Cambodia and Mongolia. Based on this analysis and using the benchmark cases and toolkits to be developed under the above component, this component will develop recommendations for necessary reform strategies and schemes to reinforce the key success elements and lessen, if not eliminate, factors that lead to failure, as well as to encourage the provision of appropriate rural ICT infrastruture and universal services. Based on the assumption that enabling policy and regulatory environment for universal access and fair competition can promote and accelerate rural ICT development, it is important to involve all relevant stakeholders including the telecom industry and public sector in order to determine and take into consideration their needs, opinions, and requirements when recommending the appropriate policies, legislations, and regulations aimed at rural ICT development. Therefore this component will, as part of its scope, conduct public hearings and various activities, e.g., interviews, surveys, focus,group discussions, workshops, etc., to gather inputs from concerned stakeholders. Component C: Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building. This component will provide various platforms for knowledge sharing on the findings, practices, case studies, and other knowledge products among the ICT policymakers, ICT regulators, ICT operators and ICT policy researchers in the Asia and Pacitic region, using the latest knowledge management techniques and networking technologies, including online communities of practice and websites. In collaboration with national research institutes or universities specialized in ICT policy and regulation research, the developed toolktis and case studies will be transformed into training programs that focus on training-the-trainer. The training program will be offered to the selected policymakers in Cambodia and Mongolia.

Consulting Services

Individual Consultants One International Consultant (ICT Specialist, 6 person months); 6 national consultants (National ICT Specialists, 3 person months each) based individually in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, PRC, and Republic of Korea; and 2 national consultants (National ICT Specialists, 6 person months each) based individually in Cambodia and Mongolia

Project Processing Stage

Approved by the Bank

18 December 2008

Recruitment of Consultants

Recruitment of Consultants expected to take place in February 2009.

Project Officer

Hyunjung Lee (632-5835)

Sustainable Infrastructure Division, RSDD

ITU Asia-Pacific Centres of Excellence Training Workshop on Effective Use of Telecommunications/ICT in Response to Disasters: Saving Lives

2009-02-11T05:46:00.000-08:00

Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia
24-28 November 2008

International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with financial support from the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE), Australian Government, and jointly with the ITU ASP Centre of Excellence (CoE) Network UUM Node in Malaysia, and the Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications (MEWC), Government of Malaysia, organised a five-day “ITU Asia-Pacific Centres of Excellences Training Workshop on Effective Use of Telecommunications/ICT in Response to Disasters: Saving Lives". The Training Workshop provided hands-on training on deployment and use of various telecommunication/ICT equipment and facilities such as satellite terminals, amateur radio, ad-hoc wireless networks, and VSAT.

Over 100 participants including country delegates, speakers, and local participants attended the Training Workshop. Of the total number, 31 international participants were from 22 countries while 62 local participants were from Malaysia.

The Training Workshop focused on concepts and hands-on training on various technologies and applications such as satellite communications, radiocommunication, Internet-base applications and etc. which are applicable and suitable for deployment aiming at facilitating rescue and relief operations in emergencies and especially in the aftermath of disasters. The Training Workshop aimed at:

* Making awareness and demonstrate telecommunication technology options, facilities and services applicable for use in response to disasters or emergencies especially in disaster relief operations;

* Providing practical experience to participants in using the telecommunication/ICT facilities and services for disaster relief operations;

* Strengthening partnerships in disaster relief among international agencies/organizations, NGOs, Industry, and governments as well as encourage roles of public sector or NGOs e.g. radio amateurs, volunteers, etc.; and,

* Identifying issues, gaps in countries in order to find ways for improvements or overcoming the issues or challenges.

Country delegates were invited to present country papers in which the Training Workshop received 12 papers and presentations.

During the hands-on training, system demonstrations were made to the participants who were also given opportunities to try out voice and data communications over the satellite and radiocommunication as well as through the Internet. In addition, a group of amateur radio voluntarily coming from different places of Malaysia helped demonstrate set up of various types of radio equipment such as HF, VHF, UHF and applications over the radio links.

Other demonstrations and hands-on training included sets up and uses of satellite broadband terminals/phones, VSAT, public wireless networking systems, radio in the box, web-based applications, and etc.

Malaysia’s broadband plan – stimulating the private sector

2009-02-11T05:32:00.000-08:00

Introduction
Through the Malaysia National Broadband Plan (NBP), the government of Malaysia is promoting the establishment of universal access and service (UAS) to broadband Internet. As opposed to costly government intervention in building and managing a national broadband network, the strategy is for government to invest in broadband network connectivity and services for key regional organizations in order to stimulate critical demand for broadband services. Infrastructure and service provision is to be carried out by industry, supported through enabling regulations and incentives that establish an open market in which industry operators can creatively meet the growing demand for broadband connectivity in a variety of ways that include fixed, wireless and satellite approaches.

Malaysia is one of the leading economies in the region with a GDP of approximately USD 357 billion that has transformed from mainly a raw materials export economy into high technology sectors. With a population of 27 million, Malaysia’s increasingly affluent and skilled workforce have readily adopted the use of ICTs in business and personal activities. Mobile phone use is substantial with penetration rates of around 75 per cent of the population and demand for Internet, especially broadband, is growing. Despite this, only about 14 per cent of national households have broadband. Exacerbating this is limited market demand in the less lucrative rural and peri-urban markets.

The government of Malaysia recognized the barriers and challenges to broadband access would require more than simply broadband infrastructure but also flexible approaches to infrastructure development and service delivery that would serve to lower broadband costs in marginal areas. Increased regional awareness of broadband potential is also needed in important community activities and services to generate a critical level of use of broadband that would stimulate the increased subscriptions to broadband services and encourage private industry to deploy needed networks

The NBP Programme
To address the issues the NBP was launched in 2004 through the efforts of the Ministry of Energy, Water and Communication and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. An autonomous steering committee was established to manage the plan and task forces set up for fact finding in areas of policy and regulation, technical applications and industry. Broadband Stakeholder Groups (BSGs) were also organized with industry, community and government representatives at regional levels to assist in identifying key institutions and areas for broadband connectivity investment and critical feedback in crystallizing local demand for broadband services. Based on findings, targets were set to increase the number of broadband subscribers to 1.3 million or 5 per cent of the population in order to develop a critical mass of demand in underserved markets that would provide incentives for industry to establish necessary infrastructure and services.

A central component of programme focus is in connecting key institutions to broadband services and stimulating increased usage through investing in broadband network capacities. Planned approaches include investing in connecting government offices, schools and community organizations to broadband Internet and promoting e-government services accessible to local residents. Examples of targets for network and broadband connectivity for institutions include:

* Broadband service subscriptions for organizations paid by government;
* Connection of approximately 900 Federal, state and local government departments;
* Networking around 10 000 primary schools through the Schoolnet programme;
* 74 000 connections for public universities and research institutions;
* 4 000 hospitals and clinics networked and connected to internet resources; and
* 1 700 libraries and a multitude of community centres with a focus on educational, entertainment and e-commerce applications.

The NBP includes development of telecommunications policies and regulations that serve to build capacities introduce financial incentives and encourage infrastructure building in underserved regional areas. Examples include measures to unbundle and co-locate services, opening Malaysia’s Universal Services Programme for broadband initiatives, and allowing for broadband service delivery through multiple technologies including wireless solutions.

Industry response
In response to regulatory and financial incentives, telecommunications industries have initiated a number of solutions to increase penetration of broadband services. In September 2006 leading mobile operator, Maxis Communications Berhad, launched Maxis Wireless Broadband, a 3.5G (HSDPA) mobile service providing households and business customers with wireless broadband connection for both information and telephony services via a single wireless modem terminal. The service has proven popular with year end subscriptions in 2007 expected to total nearly 100 000 subscribers.

Enabling strategies
Nonetheless, challenges of stimulating demand in underserved areas have required that the NBP involve regionally specific measures and flexible policy and regulatory approaches. Enabling policies have been established to increase the number of SME businesses providing broadband services. Some policy examples include provision of suitable taxation regimes, financing mechanisms and government contracts as incentives for SME businesses. Example of regulations identified to support the competitiveness of regional markets include introducing flexibility in both the pricing of services and the types services that can be bundled in underserved areas.

Further, NBP task force and BSGs input provide assistance in feasibility analysis through carrying out regional supply and demand surveys and openly sharing results with stakeholders and industry. As an innovative approach to assessing local service viability, the NBP secretariat set up a geographic database where local businesses and households register their need for broadband services and geographic location; information crucial for identifying local market demand for broadband services and investment decisions in broadband infrastructure.

Since its inception in 2004, Malaysia’s NBP has spurred greater integration of broadband services in key organizations of regional and underserved markets. New forms of broadband services delivery such as wireless HSPA have helped connect underserved areas. Although targeted levels of broadband connectivity originally outlined in the NBP are not yet fully realized, crucial experience and lessons learned are improving the implementation and approach of plan activities. An updated version of the NBP is set to be officially released in early 2008. Some of the expected changes include the establishment of minimum standards in network speeds for main client categories that include public, government and industry.

Sources: Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications & Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, 2006 2nd Ed., National Broadband Plan: Enabling Highspeed Broadband Under MyICMS 886
GSM Association, 2007, Case Study Series – Maxis HSDPA: Shaking up the Broadband Market. http://hspa.gsmworld.com/upload/papers/documents/22062007172122.pdf
Business Times, National Broadband Plan Details to Be Released, January 2008 Internet: http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/Saturday/Nation/ky25.xml/Article/

The Importance of ICT for Development to My Country’s Future [Malaysia]

2009-02-06T07:36:00.000-08:00

NIK NOOR SYAERAH BINTI ROSLAN 20088913

The Importance of ICT for Development to My Country’s Future.

In modern economy, information and communication technology (ICT) industry has emerged as the primary enabler of the knowledge economy, a major engine for growth and job creation, and also as an agent of social change. The foundation of the information revolution has been the development and rapidly declining costs of a broad range of systems and technologies that transmit, store and manipulate information electronically, and collectively, an economy's information infrastructure. ICT will be crucial enabler in helping the manufacturing, services and agriculture sectors enhance productivity, efficiency and value in an increasingly competitive global environment in Malaysia. Such business demands would result in more complex IT systems, and IT management solutions that can help simplify and unify the management of IT and enable organizations to fully utilize the various technologies created would be crucial. This would ultimately equip organizations to better compete in the international arena as well as meet the growing emphasis on global governance and compliance standards.

Malaysia has embarked on a number of measures to ensure that information and communication technologies (ICT) play a vital role in that society. The Government has invested heavily in world-class infrastructure. Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) is designed to create an ideal environment for ICT-related production as well as provide the backbone for an information superhighway. Two smart cities have been developed within this corridor, namely Putrajaya and Cyberjaya. All of these efforts are to envision the harnessing of multimedia to help spearhead economic development for Malaysia to achieve developed nation status by the year 2020. Under the 9th Malaysia Plan, ICT development is seen as an important strategic driver for positioning Malaysia as competitive knowledge based economy and global ICT and multimedia Hub. Thus, the focus of the 9th Malaysia Plan was to expand the existing communications network across the country through the phased implementation of then MyICMS 886, reducing the digital-divide, developing the existing cyber cities and developing new ones(MSC Phase II), fostering new growth sectors such as bioinformatics. Under The 9MP, development ICT talent and enhancing information security continue to be given high priority in the development of information society.

The great spread of information and communication technologies around the globe has been a key indicator of its usefulness to business, education and research. Since market demand has determined their growth, ICT have been primarily focused in the urban centers, despite the fact that two out of three people in the world live in rural areas. The people of these areas have largely been left out of this global transformation. These 'voiceless billions,' if connected to the global information network, stand to benefit enormously. There have been very few studies outlining the importance of introducing ICT to rural areas. The newness of many of these technologies, especially the Internet, has made long-term studies possible as it has unlocked potential like a breach in a dam. Here we will explore the importance and possible benefits that could result if people living in the rural areas were given access to the global information network and the importance of ICT for development in Malaysia’s future.

In exploring how important ICT for development Malaysia is; I will focus on how ICT will benefit especially at the rural areas in Malaysia in order to ensure that 100% Malaysian lifestyle are improved by using Internet. Three main themes that are being focused are the exchange of expertise, information and commodities.

The Exchange of Expertise

The exchange of expertise opens up the opportunities to Malaysians to globalize their products by the advice of the expertise. Malaysia also can improve the productivity as each worker can work from anywhere as long as there is internet. Besides that, the expose of Internet usage at rural area probably can help villagers in exchanging their expertise and do business between them in any picoseconds. Imagine if everyone living in a village had a personal email address? Not only could villagers share expertise with villagers in surrounding areas but also with villagers and experts from around the world. Here means that internet opens up the huge opportunity for the villagers to do worldwide business only by one click. They can bargain for a price with customer through instant messaging at ease. If all rural people are using internet as their lifestyle, Malaysia’s economic may increase. This is one of the importances of ICT in developing Malaysia’s future.

The Exchange of Information

The Internet has the power to inform the world of issues and ideas that otherwise would be suppressed or overlooked. Everybody can share information and technical skills anywhere as long as there is internet. For example, a farmer could find the cause of a malicious fungus plaguing his fields. A village medical specialist could get advice from doctors at the world's most advanced medical institutions. Village engineers could obtain information and advice to take on the most sophisticated projects. Villages could participate in a global forum where the development successes could be shared. No longer will they have to wait, oftentimes months, to receive such information through post. As a result of their being connected, a new type of philanthropy could emerge between experts of the developed world and village specialists. Doctors, engineers, agriculturists, and businesspeople from around the world could serve as village consultants. Youth, from both urban and rural environments would also benefit by having the resources to learn about the world. They would grow up ready to be global citizens, capable of making informed decisions. As populations increase and local issues become global ones, this will be increasingly important.
If introduced into the rural areas, the Internet has the potential to lessen the information gap. It could give villagers the resources needed to solve local problems and not sit idly waiting for their governments and NGO's to provide the expertise. It will also provide the youth of the world with a balanced global perspective, empowering them to be active participants in the information age.
Information is the linchpin to democracy. An informed public is empowered to make informed political decisions. With two-thirds of the world living in virtual information isolation, democracy can never be achieved. The voices of this great majority have had little influence in a world that is becoming increasingly interdependent. While the superpowers of the world have the ability to destroy the world with their arsenals, the people living in the rural areas have not had a voice in the global debate. For the world to have an 'open society' where ideas and information are free to all, we must allow the rural peoples to participate. With ICT's remote villagers can have a voice and can influence local, regional, national, and even global politics. With the Internet, virtual interest groups can form, even in areas of low population density, amplifying their voice with numbers. Their voices would have so much influence that politicians would be forced to distribute resources based on need rather than the clientlaistic relationships that dominate the developing countries.

The Exchange of Commodities

Besides that, the Internet has become the most liberal marketplace known in history. The laws of supply and demand play out on a global scale. In this global bazaar, the price of commodities is determined by real-time market demand and not by projections. The power of this new economy has been realized, virtually overnight, with the transformation and explosive growth of the U.S. economy as well as Malaysia economy if this kind of economy is been used start from now . However, the benefits of the global bazaar are not exclusive to the macro-economies of the developed countries. The benefits of a highly liberalized economy can also benefit the micro-economies of the rural world. The Internet can give villagers the ability to shop for the best price for raw materials, machinery, and services in the global/local marketplace. It will also give them access to markets that before were not accessible, a place where even niche products find their market.

Rural access to ICT will also facilitate the formation of trade groups and cooperatives that would increase the efficiency of trade in the rural areas by organizing people to work together in production, processing, and transportation their products. From this, the movement of goods and services would be coordinated to benefit states of Malaysia not just single village. Malaysian people for sure will become the most information society which will not be left behind anymore. This is most important for Malaysia future development.

For the conclusion, by making the modern information and communication technologies of the world accessible to the two-thirds of the world's population living in the rural areas, we are giving their voices a platform, where their ideas and concerns can be heard by their governments and around the world. Their participation in the global communications transformation will not only support a more open global society but will also give them access to the resources that will allow them to control their own social and economic change. Without a more equitable distribution of the global information network the information divide will cause an even greater social and economic disparity between the developed and undeveloped countries; therefore will assist Malaysia in future development.

What exactly is the "information society"? A guide for newcomers.

2009-02-06T07:11:00.000-08:00

You are reading this page on the Internet. You may also have a digital camera, a mobile phone, an MP3 player. These are all "information society" products, made possible by the convergence of computer, telecommunications and media sciences. In just one generation, information and communications technologies (ICTs) have revolutionised the way we live, learn, work and play. They have radically recast the ways in which people, industry, governments and society interact. ("Digital Revolution" Play)

Information Society Policies at a Glance

The Information Society will affect most aspects of our lives, so European policies range from the regulation of entire industrial sectors to the protection of each individual's privacy.

The policies are grouped as follows - you can also jump straight to the relevant sites using the tabs below:

Regulation in the Information Society

The European Information Society sector has grown partly due to European initiatives such as the creation of the Single Market, the Television without Frontiers Directive, the adoption of harmonised standards such as GSM, and the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector. Today, there are two main areas of Information Society regulation at European level: Transmission & Content.

Transmission: Regulating the Pipes ...

A new electronic communications regulatory framework, launched in July 2003, provides a world-class legal framework for continuing the development of Europe's communications industry. The new Framework is pro-competition - regulation is withdrawn as competition develops - and covers, among other things, the management of scarce resources essential to communications.

One particularly important resource is radio spectrum, through which all wireless communications travel, so the EU's new radio spectrum policy was launched as part of the new framework. However, while the Framework focuses on communications networks and services, radio spectrum policy covers all areas where spectrum is an issue, from mobile telephony to television broadcasting, from satellite positioning systems to scientific research, and much more.

Europe also regulates a number of dedicated telephone numbers:

* 112 - a single emergency number for Europe: enables everyone to call emergency services anywhere in the European Union, from a fixed or a mobile phone. Used, in particular, by eCall - when your car calls for help after an accident (read the eCall press pack)
* 116000: the single EU hotline number for missing children - read the press release

These regulatory areas are coordinated with the Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (RTTE) Directive, which regulates the telecommunications equipment market. By replacing over 1000 national approval regulations, the Directive has created a framework for regulating what is now a European single market worth 30 billion euro.

The Commission also launched the Mobile Roaming Charges regulatory initiative to reduce the cost of international roaming charges in Europe, and regulates the safety of ICT-related products: preventing any risk of health-related effects of Electromagnetic Fields, and setting minimum safety and health requirements for work with Visual Display Units.

Complementary Activities: The above policies are complemented by a range of European Activities designed to Build Europe's Digital Infrastructure.

Content: ... and what flows through them

In the field of content, European audiovisual regulation aims to ensure the free provision of services and to fulfil objectives of public interest such as access to information and protection of users in areas such as commercial communication, protection of minors and human dignity - see:

* the "Television Without Frontiers Directive, which promotes the European broadcasting industry by ensuring the free movement of television broadcasting services throughout the EU;
* the Council Recommendation on the Protection of Minors and Human Dignity, which provides guidelines for national legislation in combating illegal and harmful content transmitted over electronic media.

The EU's Single Market rules, moreover, facilitates the cross border transmission of audiovisual programmes via satellite and retransmission by cable.

The electronic communications regulatory framework site also summarises European policies in the areas of Spam, Privacy and Data Protection.

The Commission also promotes the internationally accepted Web Accessibility guidelines to ensure everyone can access websites, regardless of any physical disabilities.

The Directive on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society, finally, adapts legislation on copyright and related rights to reflect the digitisation of content, and supports the use of Digital Rights Management technologies. Earlier European copyright law included protecting databases and computer programs.

Complementary Activities: The above policies are complemented by a range of European Activities designed to Stimulate Digital Applications

Stimulating the Information Society Sector

Rolling out new technologies, products and services is not just a matter of research and development - policies are required to overcome obstacles ranging from copyright to security.

Research

The 2005-2010 Perspective: Under i2010's Investment and Innovation in Research pillar, the Commission is focusing both on the EU’s research and development instruments and setting priorities for cooperation with the private sector to promote innovation and technological leadership - see the Research & Innovation Theme for more details.

Infrastructure

Europe's electronic communications regulatory framework stimulates the development of Europe's infrastructure by promoting competition and growth across the communications sector (see Policies > Regulation for more).

Additional policies stimulate the development of specific aspects of Europe's digital infrastructure:

* Bridging the Broadband Gap: Europe is ensuring that all regions of Europe benefit from Broadband internet access;
* Space policy: the Information Society is a major user of space-based applications, from satellite positioning systems to broadband communications.

Content & Services

Stimulating the sector is also a question of stimulating the supply of content and services which make the Information Society valuable:

* Copyright: while policies exist to stimulate digital content (see next points) and manage copyright in a digital age (see Regulating > Content), the correct approach to Digital Rights Management technologies must also be found if the sector is to grow.
* The public sector is the single biggest producer of information in Europe, producing data on topics as diverse as economics, traffic flow and demographics. The EU’s Public Sector Information Directive therefore stimulates the sector by making it easier for companies to access and add value to this valuable raw material.
* Europe's cultural heritage is another potentially massive source of content. Digitising it would both stimulate the development of the Information Society and make this unique cultural heritage available to more people - see the Digital Libraries Initiative and the Lund Principles and Action Plan.
* RFID: developing policies on the opportunities and challenges posed by Radio Frequency IDentification technology;
* Europe's VAT arrangements for electronic services, applying to radio and television broadcasting services and certain electronically supplied services, ensure they are taxed in the country where the customer resides rather than where the supplier is located. This means EU suppliers do not have to levy VAT when selling outside the EU, removing a significant competitive handicap.
* Security: Finally, the Information Society cannot grow to its full potential unless users, companies and governments enjoy reliable networks; high levels of protection for personal data and from malicious attacks - see the Strategy for a Secure European Information Society.

Moreover ...

* See Policies > Exploiting the Benefits: exploiting the benefits of the Information Society will also stimulate growth in the sector by stimulating demand and removing barriers to adopting ICTs;
* Complementary Activities: The above policies are complemented by a range of European Activities designed to:
o Build Europe's Digital Infrastructure
o Stimulate the Development of Digital Applications

Exploiting the Benefits of the Information Society

A range of policies also aim to ensure that Europe exploits the possibilities offered by the Information Society, improving both public and private services for all Europeans.

The 2005-2010 Perspective: One of the three main priorities of the Commission's i2010 initiative is to ensure that all Europeans participate in and benefit from the Information Society, notably through providing better public services, available to everyone.

Public Services

Government: The eGovernment Action Plan (April 2006), outlined how "hundreds of billions of euros could be saved for European taxpayers every year" by using ICTs to provide 'joined up government' and to improve democracy, while the Electronic Public Procurement legal framework is accelerating the use of ICTs to improve efficiencies in public procurement, which accounts for 16% of the EU economy.

Health: The eHealth Action Plan (April 2004), on the other hand, set out how ICTs can be used to deliver better quality health care Europe-wide. It will be followed by a Recommendation on eHealth interoperability and an i2010 Flagship on ICTs for independent living in an ageing society.

Education: Similarly, the 2006 eLearning Conference explored how ICTs can improve the way Europeans are educated and trained throughout their lives.

Customs: The Commission's Electronic Customs project, composed of legislation and a number of major projects, will create a more efficient and modern customs environment.

Society & Environment

Inclusion: These ICT-powered services, of course, must be available to everyone, regardless of their location, wealth or health, which is why the Ministerial Declaration on eInclusion (pdf) was adopted at ICT for an Inclusive Society (June 2006).

The Commission also wants to encourage more women to pursue an IT career as a force for change and a major boost for the ICT sector.

Sustainable Development: Europe's transport, energy and environment challenges are well known. What is less well known is the extent to which ICTs can help solve these problems, which is why:

* an i2010 Flagship on ICTs for Sustainable Growth is currently under preparation,
* the i2010 Flagship on Intelligent Cars has been launched to tackle transport-related problems and accelerate the deployment of intelligent vehicle systems, building on the eSafety Initiative, a public-private partnership to accelerate the use of Intelligent Integrated Safety Systems to reduce accidents on European roads.

eBusiness

Applying ICTs to business sharpens their competitive edge and drives innovation. The opportunities are particularly attractive in Europe, as eBusiness allows many companies - particularly SMEs - to benefit from the Single Market for the first time.

The eCommerce Directive (2000) is Europe's basic legal framework for electronic commerce in the Internal Market. VAT Invoicing Rules ensure all Member States' tax authorities recognise the validity of electronic invoices, while VAT rules on radio and television broadcasting services and certain electronically supplied services mean that EU suppliers no longer have to charge VAT when supplying digital products to countries outside the EU, as was the case before e-service existed.

The Online Financial Services policy framework aims to ensure consumers and retail investors can access on-line financial services from across the EU while being fully protected, while the Distance Marketing of Financial Services Directive protects consumers of retail financial services (insurance, banking, etc.) marketed by telephone, Internet or mail. Consumer policy and e-commerce, finally, aims to improve consumer confidence in the internal market when it comes to eBusiness.

The EU's Industrial Policy promotes the Competitiveness and sustainable development of the ICT sector, supporting the take-up of information and communication technology and e-business practices by European enterprises.

The EU's .eu domain, moreover, has successfully translated the European Single Market online.

The Directive laying down VAT invoicing rules helps firms operating within the Internal Market by ensuring that they have only to deal with a single, simplified set of rules on invoicing valid throughout the EU. It also requires Member States to recognise the validity of electronic invoices and allow cross-border electronic invoicing and electronic storage. See: Frequently Asked Questions for Traders.

Europe's VAT arrangements for electronic services, applying to radio and television broadcasting services and certain electronically supplied services, ensure they are taxed in the country where the customer resides rather than where the supplier is located. This means EU suppliers do not have to levy VAT when selling outside the EU, removing a significant competitive handicap.

More: see the eBusiness theme.
Moreover ...

Complementary Activities: The above policies are complemented by a range of European Activities designed to Stimulate the Development of Digital Applications

Today, Europe's Information Society policies are brought together under the i2010 Initiative: the EU framework for addressing the main challenges and developments in the information society and media sectors in the years up to 2010. The initiative promotes an open and competitive digital economy, research into information and communication technologies, as well as their application to improve social inclusion, public services and quality of life.

The EU's international Information Society policies span all of these areas, and so are set out in the International Relations site.

As all policies are interrelated, of course, some may appear in more than one section. An A-Z list of all EU Information Society policies, finally, is also available.

About Information Systems (IS)

2009-02-06T06:38:00.000-08:00

What is an Information System?

An information system is a collection of methods, practices, algorithms and methodologies that transforms data into information and knowledge desired by, and useful for, individual and group users in organizations and other entities. This system can involve a combination of work practices, information, people, and technologies organized to accomplish goals in an organization.

Information Systems is the study of a system and how technology can be incorporated into that system to make it fully functional and efficient. Some areas of study in Information Systems include system analysis and design, databases, software engineering, networking, human-centered computing (HCC), health informatics, artificial intelligence, knowledge management, security, project management, and decision sciences.

How does IS differ from Computer Science?

Information Systems (IS) and Computer Science (CMSC) both involve computer technology. Unlike IS, CMSC frequently takes an inner-workings perspective of technology and involves the principles of hardware and software design.

Information Systems, on the other hand, focuses on the entire system of information, knowledge, delivery and use, taking an external, human-based perspective on technology– its focus is on how technology can be implemented to serve the informational needs of people and organizations. This is why some refer to Information Systems as the human side of computing. IS graduates have opportunities to really make a difference—have an impact—on technologies that affect everyone from children to retirees.

IS graduates enter various industries with more than just the technical skills of programming, network applications and design, operating systems, telecommunications, database application and design, and web development and design. They also have a strong business and management background. In fact, many graduates have gone on to start their own successful thriving businesses. Information Systems students also develop excellent human communication skills that can be used to interact with a variety of audiences with various backgrounds. These skills are not only key career talents but excellent life skills.

What Kind of Jobs Can I Obtain with an Information Systems Degree?

Information Systems graduates are problem-solvers with excellent communication skills and can be employed as network engineers, software engineers, network administrators, systems analysts, systems integrators, systems designers, database managers, database administrators, interface specialists, product support professionals, programmers, programmer analysts, information and knowledge officers, managers of information systems, academic researchers, information system educators and more. Careers in IT (Information Technology) and IS (Information Systems) offer some of the highest post-undergraduate starting salaries. In fact, salaries in IT and computer-related fields have climbed nearly 17% over the last 7 years (1999-2005).1 A major in IS is definitely one that can boost your paycheck.

Companies that have hired Information Systems graduates include—but are not limited to— utilities, financial institutions, local, state, and federal governments, government contractors, technology companies, and health related organizations. Plus, Information Systems graduates continue to find well-paying Jobs in IT. A recent survey of Information Systems (IS) Baccalaureate graduates is painting a bright IT jobs picture for incoming and soon-to-be-graduated IS students alike. As the IS degree continues to be well-recognized by IT employers, 75% of the survey respondents report their job search took 3 months or less, and 40% responded the process took less than one month.

Additionally upbeat are early survey results indicating that starting salaries for respondents average $50K-plus with full benefits (well in line with the national average) and that many IT job seekers who have graduated from IS programs are receiving multiple job offers.

When considering the value of the IS degree during the job search process, 96% of the respondents indicated that their degree was helpful with 55% saying their degree was "extremely helpful" during the search process. Respondents of the survey, thus far, comprise approximately 23 unique job titles within the IT industry, many in the areas of database administration, network administration, project management, and systems analysis and design.

Overall, graduates of Information Systems programs are enjoying relatively short periods on the IT job market after graduation, many with multiple job options from which to choose, and at salaries that are not only comparable with the national average, but might be considered quite attractive to an adult in their early 20s.

1Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

What Do Information Systems Majors Study?

Information Systems offers two baccalaureate degrees: a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Information Systems, and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Business Technology Administration.

The B.S. is the more technical of the two degrees and prepares students for positions involving the analysis and design of systems, databases, and computer networks. The B.S. consists of 64 credit hours of coursework in IS, computer programming, mathematics and statistics, management, economics, accounting, and technical writing.

The B.A. focuses on microcomputer-based office automation systems. It also requires the student to complete a minor or certificate. The B.A. consists of 55 credit hours (not including those from the selected minor or certificate) in IS, mathematics, statistics and management.

The Combined B.S./M.S. Degree
The Information Systems Department also offers a combined B.S./M.S. degree intended for academically superior juniors who wish to apply to the M.S. program after graduation. If admitted to the B.S./M.S. program, they will take, in their Senior year, three graduate-level courses which will be applied to the M.S.

An International Journal

Information systems are the software and hardware systems that support data-intensive applications. Information Systems publishes articles concerning the design and implementation of languages, data models, algorithms, software and hardware for information systems. Subject areas include data management issues as presented in the principal international database conferences ... click here for full Aims & Scope
Information systems are the software and hardware systems that support data-intensive applications. Information Systems publishes articles concerning the design and implementation of languages, data models, algorithms, software and hardware for information systems.

Subject areas include data management issues as presented in the principal international database conferences (e.g. ACM SIGMOD, ACM PODS, VLDB and EDBT) as well as data-related issues from the fields of data mining, information retrieval, natural language processing, internet data management, visual and audio information systems, scientific computing, and organisational behaviour.

All papers should motivate the problems they address with compelling examples from real or potential applications. Systems papers must be serious about experimentation either on real systems or simulations based on traces from real systems. Papers from industrial organisations that discuss the practical implementation of systems are welcome.

Theoretical papers should have a clear motivation from applications. They should either break significant new ground or unify and extend existing algorithms. Such papers should clearly state which ideas have potentially wide applicability.

In addition to publishing submitted articles, the Editors-in-Chief will invite retrospective articles that describe significant projects by the principal architects of those projects.

Authors of such articles should write in the first person, tracing the social as well as technical history of their projects, describing the evolution of ideas, mistakes made, and reality tests. Technical results should be explained in a uniform notation with the emphasis on clarity and on ideas that may have applications outside of the environment of that research. Particularly complex details may be summarised with references to previously published papers.

What are ICT and internet policies and why should we care about them?

2009-02-05T05:23:00.000-08:00

What is ICT policy?
Citizen involvement in ICT policy

ICT policy and civil societyInformation and communication are integral to human society. In many cultures today, information retrieval and presentation – the recording of wisdom and history – is still done with the use of speech, drama, painting, song or dance. The use of writing changed this enormously, and the invention of the printing press allowed communication on a massive scale, through newspapers and magazines. More recent technological innovations increased further the reach and speed of communication, culminating, for now, with digital technology. These new ICTs can be grouped into three categories:

• Information technology uses computers, which have become indispensable in modern societies to process data and save time and effort
• Telecommunications technologies include telephones (with fax) and the broadcasting of radio and television, often through satellites
• Networking technologies, of which the best known is the internet, but which has extended to mobile phone technology, Voice Over IP telephony (VOIP), satellite communications, and other forms of communication that are still in their infancy.

These new technologies have become central to contemporary societies. Whether you are talking on the phone, sending an email, going to the bank, using a library, listening to sports coverage on the radio, watching the news on TV, working in an office or in the field, going to the doctor, driving a car or catching a plane, you are using ICTs.

Convergence

The new ICTs do not operate in isolation from one another. The advantages and reach of the internet make it a focal point for the use of new technologies. Its decentralised, widely-distributed, packet-based mode of transporting information makes it an efficient, cheap and flexible means of communication, which facilitates interrelationship with other technologies. So, for example, international telephone calls are increasingly made through the internet’s network of networks, and television and radio are broadcast via the internet. Today’s Local Area Networks must be connected to the internet and secure copies of data (backups) are now made through the internet rather than onto a local drive. Software, music and video can be rented through the internet, sometimes without even requiring a copy on the local computer. The internet is accessible through mobile phone networks, which use it to present content to the user, and digital movies will be soon distributed through the internet to cinemas. The list is long and getting longer by the day.

Not only are new technologies converging in this way, the areas where they are applied are also becoming interrelated. Telecommunications are firmly based on computer technology, and are fundamentally dependent on the internet. For example, the software that makes computers so useful is now often created by a team of programmers who may live and work in different countries, but can collaborate and communicate via the internet. Telephone companies are increasingly using VOIP to reduce their international communications costs. Consumer commodities too are becoming dependent on the internet. This is especially true of electronic devices and appliances, such as audio and DVD recorders and players, or refrigerators.

This convergence happens not only at a technological level, where everything is in bits (binary digital form) and the internet is the main way of moving this information from place to place, but also at the level of industry. These days, a large internet service provider will probably also be linked to a telecommunications infrastructure company, and have subsidiaries that produce software or own an internet search engine. The important media multinationals are buying heavily into internet technology as they see it as the physical and conceptual infrastructure for media in the future. This has led to a situation where telecommunication giants are also multimedia giants with huge investments in internet technologies. The same company that broadcasts your favourite TV programme may also be the one that allows you to access the internet, or pro-vides your ISP with its connection to the rest of the internet. The movie you watch at your local cinema may well be produced by a media multinational that owns your local newspaper and also a telephone company that runs a main internet portal.

If technology and industry are coming together around the internet, governments that decide policy and regulate industry must recognise this fact and adapt their policy-making accordingly. For example, there is no point in regulating traditional broadcasting in the usual way if it is being replaced by internet broadcasting which follows a different set of rules. The traditional regulation of broadcasting, involving restricted bandwidths, and huge investment costs, cannot be applied to new forms of broadcasting which require relatively little capital outlay, are instantly global and available to everyone, have open standards that facilitate access in multiple ways, and are decentralised so that coordinated control is very difficult. The notion of intellectual property and copyright changes when all information is digital and can be freely copied and transported. For example, legislation about recorded music must take this into account. Other questions arise: How should workers’ rights to privacy in the workplace be regarded in the context of email and the World Wide Web? What will it mean to regulate telephone call costs when the ability to call via the internet at a much reduced rate becomes generalised?

What is ICT policy?

The Oxford English Dictionary defines policy as “A course of action, adopted and pursued by a government, party, ruler, statesman, etc.; any course of action adopted as advantageous or expedient.” While this definition suggests that policy is the realm of those in power – governments or official institutions – a wider sense could include the vision, goals, principles and plans that guide the activities of many different actors.
ICT policy generally covers three main areas: telecommunications (especially telephone communications), broadcasting (radio and TV) and the internet. It may be national, regional or international. Each level may have its own decision-making bodies, sometimes making different and even contradictory policies.

Although policies are formally put in place by governments, different stakeholders and in particular the private sector make inputs into the policy process and affect its out-comes. Thus, for example, in the International Telecommunications Union, an intergovernmental body for governments to coordinate rules and regulations in the field of telecommunications, the influence of multinationals has grown enormously. Privatisation of state-owned companies has meant that governments can rarely control telecommunications directly. The privatised telecom companies, often partly controlled by foreign shareholders, look after their own interests. In the context of globalised markets, large and rich corporations are often more powerful than developing countries’ governments, allowing them to shape the policy-making process.

Two sets of issues in ICT policy are critical to civil society at the moment: access and civil liberties. Access has to do with making it possible for everyone to use the internet and other media. In countries where only a minority have telephones, ensuring affordable access to the internet is a huge challenge. Much of the response would lie in social solutions such as community or public access centres. In richer countries, basic access to internet is available almost to all, and faster broadband connections are fairly widespread. Access to traditional media is now a key concern, as new technologies make community video, radio and television more feasible than before.

The other set of issues, civil liberties, includes human rights such as freedom of expression, the right to privacy, the right to communicate, intellectual property rights, etc. These rights as applied to broadcast media have been threatened in many countries, and now the internet, which began as a space of freedom, is also threatened by government legislation and emerging restrictions. Some of the most blatant attacks on freedom of expression come from developing countries such as China and Vietnam, but even in countries which have a long tradition of freedom of expression, such as the USA, there are new attempts to restrict internet users’ privacy and to limit their right to choose. At the same time, restrictions that are intended to limit media monopolies are being weakened and pushed aside.

Involvement in ICT policy

Why should we, as citizens, become involved in ICT policymaking? The obvious answer is that, as shown above, ICTs are so central to contemporary society that they affect us continually in many ways. So, for example, if a government decides to promote free software, we are more likely to enjoy the benefits of free software (better security, lower cost, easy adaptation to local conditions and needs, etc). This is because it will be more extended throughout society, the monopoly of Microsoft software and its file formats will be broken, and our lives will improve. If a government decides to introduce a new form of censorship on the internet, or fails to protect citizens’ rights to privacy, then we will suffer too. If the telephone companies keep prices artificially high for broadband, or refuse to introduce a cheap flat rate for modem access, then we may have to pay too much to access the internet, the same as everyone else. If telecommunications companies are not encouraged or obliged by regulation to roll out services in rural areas, people there will have to rely on more expensive mobile phone services. If governments do not make it legal for wireless internet services to operate, development and community workers in ‘unconnected’ parts of the world will not be able to benefit from the power of online communication and information access. The internet makes it possible for local voices to be heard throughout the world but, if policy and regulation limit their access, they will also limit their reach.

These self-interested reasons are not the main ones. Other reasons have to do with the nature of global society. If we want to promote social justice, then ICT policy will be a key factor in this battle, and we cannot afford to remain outside the ICT policy-making process.

A globalised world and networking

Globalisation is a historical reality, not just a catch phrase. The world we live in has changed enormously in the last 15 to 20 years. While a global economy has existed for centuries, in the form of colonialism and world trade, a new form of unregulated expansion has taken shape in the last decade. The basis of the new economy has been free trade, unrestricted investment, deregulation, balanced budgets, low inflation and privatisation of state-owned enterprises and infrastructures. At the same time, restrictions on financial markets were lifted. A large number of mergers and company takeovers mean that many industries have become dominated by a few multinationals, while smaller, local companies have gone under or been forced to depend on the larger ones.

ICTs have been a fundamental part of this process. Without instantaneous, global, electronic telecommunications, the world financial market could not exist, nor could companies coordinate their production strategies on a global level. Today’s competition between companies depends on such global communications, as does the production of new ideas and research, whether at universities, private institutes or company laboratories. Although it is not true to say that ICTs have caused these radical changes, they have been a prerequisite and are now fundamental to the functioning of the global economy.

The conclusion is clear: we have to use the networks in a new way, for the benefit of human beings and not for the efficient functioning of the international money market and multinational companies. If global, networked systems are the new basis of power, and if ICTs are the technical foundation of globalisation, they became a terrain of struggle. The main challenge is to adapt them to become the technical foundation of the struggle against the negative impacts of globalisation and for social justice. Those who remain inside the networked society, with access to the systems that make it function so effectively, will be able to fight to change it. Those who are excluded will find it so much more difficult.

So what should we do with the new technologies?

What does this mean in practice? It means using ICTs to do several things. First, to spread alternative information in a new way, to millions of people instantly and without the confines of traditional limitations such as distance. Second, to create new forms of organisation and coordination, new structures and new modes of operation. Third, to foster new forms of solidarity among the powerless, new ways of sharing experience and of learning from one another. And finally, to incorporate more and more people into these alternative global networks.

People are already doing it. The Web allows anybody to publish news and information, and the effects of this can be seen everywhere, not just on the millions of websites that anyone can access. No longer can the powerful tell lies and get away with it so easily. For example, when a politician justifies a war with lies, alternative versions immediately appear on thousands of electronic mailing lists, websites, blogs, and internet radio and TV. Websites like the Indymedias provide alternative sources of information, which are instantaneous, open to the participation of anyone who has interesting news, and where information, opinion and debate coexist. Information can now be made available instantly all over the Web. This forces the traditional media, such as the mainstream press and TV, to respond, changing the style of information gathering but showing, as they compete for momentary exclusives and news-breaking stories, that their news and information are still controlled by the editors, the directors, and frequently the owners. Counter information on the internet is usually unpaid, and allows other viewpoints to be heard.

But it is not only the information flows that are changing. The way we work together is also changing. New tools allow new ways of organising, often without the vertical hierarchies, rigidly formal structures and entrenched office bearers that previously allowed those who controlled the information flows to control the structures. A mailing list makes it just as easy to send a message to hundreds or even thousands of people as to one person. When activities are organised through a list, everyone can have all the information, not just chosen bits. Thus a coalition of activists can be not just a few representatives who go to a meeting once a week, but hundreds of people who can voice their ideas. A campaign for mass demonstrations, or to protest a political trial, can quickly involve thousands of people in a matter of weeks, when previously it would have taken months or years. This makes grassroots-organising easier, allows more people to be involved, but also may mean that the political structures that are developed in this manner are not so stable as they used to be. A network may develop for a particular campaign, involve a dozen, hundreds or thousands of people, and then dissolve or change into another form when the campaign finishes.

One challenge faced by those working for social justice in the era of globalisation is how to operate on a global scale, to link people and communities in different countries around causes that affect us all. Apart from email and mailing lists, web forums, news groups, intranets, online group work spaces, webs, blogs, videoconferences, instant messenger services, and a host of new tools mean that the possibilities for international, national or local collaboration are infinitely greater with the new technologies. In the same way that injustice has become globally organised, the struggle against it must be global, not only local. This means that people from rich countries can learn from those from poorer countries, and vice versa. Of course, ICTs are no substitute for real, face-to-face interaction, but when this is not possible they can pro-vide alternatives. And they often make closer human communication easier by bringing people together.

But to use the new ICTs in these ways, you need to be able to access them, and most of humanity cannot do so at the moment. Access to ICTs for all is thus a key demand for concerned citizens, an essential aspect of ICT policy, and an issue for us all.

The new technologies offer enormous possibilities for increasing human freedom and social justice. The origin of the internet, designed as a way of collaborating without any central control, makes it an excellent tool for this, and because the internet has developed in an unregulated way on the basis of collaboration, it is not controlled. Not yet. But this situation is unlikely to last. In fact, it is under threat from governments and multinational companies, through legislation, regulation, monopoly control, legal pressures, and intellectual property restrictions. The new ICTs will not be new for very long, and they might not continue to be as free as they are now. The possibilities they offer can be taken away from us, unless we actively participate in the inevitable regulatory process that any new technology experiences.

Act now, before it is too late

Now is the time to act, when all is not yet decided. If we wait until the restrictions on ICTs are consolidated, it will be much more difficult to reverse policies than to create better ones in the first place. Policy varies from country to country, especially from rich to poor, and the priorities are different. In poorer countries, where ICTs are less developed, the key issues are access to ICTs for the majority of the population and outright restrictions such as internet filters and lack of freedom of expression. In the developed countries, many of these issues have already been decided, such as telephone access, or have a long tradition, such as the lack of censorship. But new issues are arising as restrictions are imposed: privacy, censorship, intellectual property restrictions, broadband, 3G cell phones, wireless connectivity, infrastructure monopolies, media concentration, etc. The result of these new struggles to impose the power of governments and multinationals will inevitably be extended to the rest of the world, so people in less developed countries should actively engage with these issues, because their future will be decided for them.

So why should we be interested in ICT policy? Because the way ICTs develop will have an enormous impact on the possibilities of working for social justice and sustainable development. If we do not take an active part in ICT policy-making, we will have no say in how our societies develop and how the future unfolds.

Source: ICT Policy: A Beginner's Handbook APC 2003 freely available for download from this site. See our resources section.

Universal Access and Service

2009-02-03T17:53:00.000-08:00

The term universal access is used in a wide variety of contexts to describe or demonstrate objectives and policies that governments implement to ensure that all their citizens have access to the benefits of modern economic life. It refers to the ability of everyone, regardless of region or location, socio-economic status, ethnicity, gender, disability, or any other factor, to access necessities. The term is widely used in the contexts of health care (especially for the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS), primary education, electricity and energy, and water and sanitation, as well as Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

Even if some governments themselves are not yet using the term universal access in these contexts, the international organizations and agencies which support their drives towards social and economic development are doing so. The concept is broadly promoted and widely accepted as the best expression of policies seeking to achieve equality and fairness of opportunity along with economic growth.

This module explores all aspects of universal access for ICTs. The value and importance of ICTs cut across all other sectors of the economy. ICTs are therefore increasingly recognized as a pillar of modern society. No other sector seems to work efficiently without them when the “information economy” takes root and grows. Also, no country, irrespective of its level of income, can ignore this trend; benefits of such diverse activities as governance, tourism and finance are critically dependent upon information and communications. This is why the term enabler is often used of ICTs.

For ICTs, universal access can be understood as a step towards universal service. It aims to increase access to ICTs throughout communities by a balanced distribution of points of access.

This chapter provides information critical to understanding the basic concepts of universal access and universal service, the progress being made towards universal access and universal service internationally, the rationale behind universal access policy, international trends and developments, and integration of universal access for ICTs with other national policies and programmes.
Contents
1 Universal Access: an overview
2 Regulatory reform & universal access and service
3 Overview of approaches to universal access and service
4 Universal Access and Service Policy
5 Financing Universal Access and Service
6 UAS Programme Development and Prioritization
7 Competing for UAS subsidies
8 Technologies for universal access and service

1 Universal Access: an overview

This module explores key aspects of universal access and service (UAS) for information and communication technologies (ICTs). The value and importance of ICTs cuts across all other sectors of the economy. ICTs are recognized as a pillar of modern society, as no other sector seems to work efficiently without them. Diverse sectors such as governance, education, health, business, finance and tourism are critically dependent upon information and communications. Also, no country, irrespective of its economic status, can ignore the trend towards ubiquitous use of ICTs. This is why the term enabler is often used to describe ICTs.

This module is structured as follows:

* Chapter 1 is an introduction to UAS;
* Chapter 2 gives an overview of regulatory reform which is the first vital step of increasing UAS using market mechanisms and good regulation;
* Chapter 3 introduces the main approaches and specific UAS instruments, policies and interventions that policy-makers and regulators can use beyond sector reform;
* Chapter 4 discusses details of UAS policy development, its framework and process;
* Chapter 5 explains financing issues related to UAS and financial analyses;
* Chapter 6 outlines details of UAS programme development and economic analysis, in particular for project prioritization;
* Chapter 7 describes the competition process of awarding subsidies for the provision of UAS by operators and service providers; and;
* Chapter 8 gives an overview of technology issues and trends that are particular relevant for UAS.

Chapter 1 provides information that is critical to understanding the basic concepts of universal access (UA) and universal service (US), the progress being made towards UAS internationally, the rationale behind UAS policy, international trends and developments, and integration of UAS for ICTs with other national policies and programmes.

Origins of universal service
Historically, the term and concept of US existed before UA. US for telephone service, first mentioned in the 1934 Communications Act of the United States, describes the concept of affordability of telephone services, as well as its universal availability for households desiring that service. UA is focussed on public, community or shared access to telecommunications.

US only came to the forefront with the advent of market liberalization and sector reform. For example, specific aims for serving all reasonable demands for basic telephony service were formulated in 1984 with British Telecom’s privatization. Prior to that, affordable service for all was an implicit obligation by the management of the state-owned enterprise, similar to the situation in many other countries.

Market liberalization and competition triggered a debate on US, surrounding the key questions of how to achieve it in a deregulated environment, how much US costs, and who shall bear the costs. The debate distinguished between the goal of US and the means of achieving it, while acknowledging that telephone service is an important basic right, essential for social cohesion and economic development. Since then, tremendous strides have been made towards achieving US and in many countries it is a reality.

Universal service and access today
The concepts of US and UA to telecommunications and ICT are distinct. US refers to service at the individual or household level, e.g., typically a telephone in each home. UA refers to a publicly shared level of service, e.g., through public payphones or Internet telecentres. However, they are also intrinsically linked to each other, as UA is the pre-cursor for US.

In the past, developing countries typically focussed mostly on universal access (UA), meaning community and publicly shared access, as UA was the appropriate and most feasible target. However, since the maturation of mobile communications, which extended services further and lowered access barriers to take up, many developing countries might realistically target US for telephony in urban areas. And also, in addition to setting UA targets for rural areas, the objective of increasing rural penetration can be set.

ICTs include both telephony and Internet, and some countries are at the stage where they have achieved UA to telephony and their goal is to achieve US, while in the Internet realm their goal is UA. Thus, their policy is no longer solely focussed on UA but on both UA and US.

In the more developed world which previously had US policy goals, the onset of broadband has led to re-use of the term UA. It is often recognized that universal availability of broadband services may not necessarily yield universal service-like household penetration for many reasons, though the provision of affordable access is an important goal.

As the reality in more and more countries relates to both UA and US, it makes sense to use the generic term universal access and service (UAS).

Thus, this module of the toolkit will refer to both terms with a focus on addressing UAS in the context of developing countries and emerging markets, while also drawing on best practice and experience in the developed world.

Scope of universal access and service
While US was once reserved for basic voice communications, UAS policies and strategies go beyond telephony, and include at least data and Internet communications, and increasingly look towards broadband communication. Traditionally, broadcasting has not been a part of UAS, but is now regarded as part of ICTs, in particular as the underlying technologies and delivery mechanism between telecommunications and broadcasting are converging. First models of how to include broadcasting in UAS policies are explored. However, media laws and policies have fundamentally different requirements which go beyond affordable access and service. Their focus is on a diversity of content providers, quality content development, pluralism and independent news reporting, choice and media freedom, and media ethics and control against illegal and harmful media content. These content elements have traditionally not been part of UAS for telecommunications. As a consequence, developing UAS requirements for broadcasting is breaking new ground.

Increasingly, UAS policy needs to be as forward-looking as possible and include broadband developments, the move towards a next-generation network (NGN) environment and address issues of convergence. The future challenges for policymakers are how to address the increased requirements and complexities of UAS while at the same time having UAS policies and programmes that achieve their goals quickly and efficiently. This Toolkit is intended to inform and support policymakers and UAS policy implementers to meet this challenge.

Malaysia’s broadband plan – stimulating the private sector

2009-02-03T17:51:00.000-08:00

Various ICT Definitions

2009-02-03T17:07:00.000-08:00

What is ICT ?

This page looks at what ICT is and the difference between ICT and IT, giving examples of the use of both to support teaching and learning.

The following definition is taken from the guidance in the QCA Schemes of Work for ICT:

"Information and communications technologies (ICT) are the computing and communications facilities and features that variously support teaching, learning and a range of activities in education.

Such ICT-related activities include, for example, the use of:

* broadcast material or CD-ROM as sources of information in history;
* micro-computers with appropriate keyboards and other devices to teach literacy and writing;
* keyboards, effects and sequencers in music teaching;
* devices to facilitate communication for pupils with special needs;
* electronic toys to develop spatial awareness and psycho-motor control;
* email to support collaborative writing and sharing of resources;
* video-conferencing to support the teaching of modern foreign languages;
* internet-based research to support geographical enquiry;
* integrated learning systems (ILS) to teach basic numeracy;
* communications technology to exchange administrative and assessment data.

The focus is on the subject being taught or studied, or the organisation being administered, rather than developing pupils' skills with, and knowledge of, the technologies themselves.

What is IT?

Information technology (IT) comprises the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to employ information and communications technologies appropriately, securely and fruitfully in learning, employment and everyday life. IT is to ICT as literacy is to books, journals or screen displays.

IT capability at school age includes:

* understanding of how information is structured in a database;
* skills in carrying out a search on the World Wide Web with sensitivity to meaning, accuracy of data and reliability of sources;
* understanding of how computers can simulate real processes e.g. predator-prey relationships;
* skills in using software e.g. word processing or e-mail to communicate effectively;
* understanding that ICT can be used to control things;
* knowledge of how to use ICT securely, with consideration of the feelings of other people, their rights to privacy and ownership of material.

The focus of IT is on pupils' capability with ICT. This is why IT is the overall title used for the National Curriculum subject and qualifications.

Not all IT learning will involve the use of computers. For example, teachers might ask pupils to:

* sort real objects into different categories as an introduction to databases;
* read a piece of printed text in order to identify the key words that might characterise it and help to retrieve it electronically if necessary;
* develop paper-based models and simulations of situations;
* consider the use of font sizes and print effects in newspapers and magazines as part of their work with word processors;
* give each other instructions as a way of teaching about precision and control;
* compare the use of IT tools and software with other ways of undertaking a design, composition or analysis task."

Fast Facts about Malaysia

2009-02-03T17:01:00.000-08:00

Country
The Federation of Malaysia comprises Peninsula Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo.

Geographical Location
Located between 2º and 7º north of the Equator, Peninsula Malaysia is separated from the states of Sabah and Sarawak by the South China Sea. To the north of Peninsula Malaysia is Thailand while its southern neighbour is Singapore. Sabah and Sarawak are north of Indonesia in Borneo while Sarawak also shares a border with Brunei.
Area
329,758 square km
Population
27.17 million
Capital
Kuala Lumpur

People
Malays who make up about 57% of the population are the predominant group with Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups making up the rest.

Language
Bahasa Melayu (Malay) is the official language, but English is widely spoken. Ethnic groups also have their own languages and dialects.

Religion
Islam is the country's official religion, but other religions are widely practised.

Government
Malaysia is governed by a Parliamentary democracy with a bicameral legislative system. The Head of State is the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, a position that is awarded to a different State Monarch every five years and the Head of Government is the Prime Minister.

Weather
Tropical climate with warm weather all year round. Temperatures in the lowlands range from 21ºC (70ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF). The highlands are cooler, where temperatures range between 15°C (59° F) to 25°C (77°F). Annual rainfall varies from 2,000mm to 2,500mm.
Main Holidays
New Year*, Hari Raya Aidiladha*, Federal Territory Day**, Chinese New Year*, Awal Muharam*, Maulidur Rasul*, Labour Day*, Wesak Day*, DYMM Yang DiPertuan Agong's Birthday*, National Day* Deepavali# Hari Raya Aidilfitri* Christmas*
Note: (*) - National Holiday (**) - Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur & Labuan only (#) - Except Labuan & Sarawak

Economic Profile
Manufacturing constitutes the largest single component of Malaysia's economy. Tourism and primary commodities such as petroleum, palm oil, natural rubber and timber are other major contributors to the economy.
Distance to Malaysia
London, United Kingdom to Kuala Lumpur : 6,557 miles (10,552 km)
Paris, France to Kuala Lumpur 6,483 miles (10,432 km)
Rome, Italy to Kuala Lumpur : 6,038 miles (9,716 km)
Stockholm, Sweden to Kuala Lumpur : 5,812 miles (9,353 km)
Berlin, Germany to Kuala Lumpur : 5,979 miles (9,622 km)
Madrid, Spain to Kuala Lumpur : 6,885 miles (11,079 km)
New York, United States to Kuala Lumpur : 9,400 miles (15,126 km)
Los Angeles, USA to Kuala Lumpur : 8,790 miles (14,144 km)
Vancouver, Canada to Kuala Lumpur : 7,944 miles (12,783 km)

Currency
The currency unit of the country is Ringgit Malaysia written as RM. The value is approximately USD1 = RM3.50. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks and money exchange.
Banking Hours
Most states: Monday - Friday: 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. Saturday & Sunday: Closed (Some banks and their branches open on Saturdays). Kelantan & Terengganu: Sun - Wednesday :9.30 am to 4.30 pm. Thursday :9.30 am to 4.00 pm. Friday/Saturday*/Public Holiday: Closed

Post Office
Opens from 8.30 am to 6.00 pm daily, except on the first Saturday of each month, Sundays and public holidays. In Kelantan and Terengganu post offices operates during the same time, but are closed on Fridays and public holidays.

Time
Eight hours ahead of GMT and 16 hours ahead of U.S. Standard Time.

Electricity
Voltage is 220 - 240 volts AC at 50 cycles per second.
Standard 3-pin square plugs and sockets.

Weight and Measurement
Malaysia follows the metric system for weight and measurement.

Telephone
Local calls can be made using public telephones with shillings or prepaid cards. International calls can also be made using phone cards or at any Telekom office.

Accommodation
Malaysia has a wide range of accommodation with reasonable pricing. There are five star hotels, budget hotels, youth hostels, beach chalets and apartments available.

http://www.tourism.gov.my

Profile of Malaysia

2009-02-03T16:14:00.000-08:00

December 2008
Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

Flag of Malaysia is 14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star.

PROFILE

OFFICIAL NAME:
Malaysia

Geography
Area: 329,748 sq. km. (127,315 sq. mi.); slightly larger than New Mexico.
Cities: Capital--Kuala Lumpur. Other cities--Penang, Ipoh, Malacca, Johor Baru, Shah Alam, Klang, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Kota Baru, Kuala Terengganu, Miri, Petaling Jaya.
Terrain: Coastal plains and interior, jungle-covered mountains. The South China Sea separates peninsular Malaysia from East Malaysia on Borneo.
Climate: Tropical.

People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Malaysian(s).
Population (2008): 27.5 million.
Annual growth rate: 2.0%.
Ethnic groups: Malay 53.3%, Chinese 26.0%, indigenous 11.8%, Indian 7.7%, others 1.2%.
Religions: Islam (60.4%), Buddhism (19.2%), Christianity (9.1%), Hinduism (6.3%), other/none (5.0%).
Languages: Bahasa Melayu (official), Chinese (various dialects), English, Tamil, indigenous.
Education: Years compulsory--6. Attendance--90.1% (primary), 60.0% (secondary). Literacy--93.5%.
Health: Infant mortality rate (2007)--6.7/1,000. Life expectancy (2007)--female 76.4 yrs., male 71.9 yrs.
Work force (10.89 million, 2007): Services--57%; industry--28% (manufacturing--19%, mining and construction--9%); agriculture--15%.

Government
Type: Federal parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch.
Independence: August 31, 1957. (Malaya, which is now peninsular Malaysia, became independent in 1957. In 1963 Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore formed Malaysia. Singapore became an independent country in 1965.)
Constitution: 1957.
Subdivisions: 13 states and three federal territories (Kuala Lumpur, Labuan Island, Putrajaya federal administrative territory). Each state has an assembly and government headed by a chief minister. Nine of these states have hereditary rulers, generally titled "sultans," while the remaining four have appointed governors in counterpart positions.
Branches: Executive--Yang di-Pertuan Agong (head of state and customarily referred to as the king; has ceremonial duties), prime minister (head of government), cabinet. Legislative--bicameral parliament, comprising 70-member Senate (26 elected by the 13 state assemblies, 44 appointed by the king on the prime minister's recommendation) and 222-member House of Representatives (elected from single-member districts). Judicial--Federal Court, Court of Appeals, high courts, session's courts, magistrate's courts, and juvenile courts. Sharia courts hear cases on certain matters involving Muslims only.
Political parties: Barisan Nasional (National Front)--a coalition comprising the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) and 12 other parties, most of which are ethnically based; Democratic Action Party (DAP); Parti Islam se Malaysia (PAS); Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). There are more than 30 registered political parties, including the foregoing, not all of which are represented in the federal parliament.
Suffrage: Universal adult (voting age 21).

Economy (2007)
Nominal GDP: $154.3 billion.
Annual real GDP growth rate: 5.9% (2006); 6.3% (2007).
Per capita (GDP) income: $5,610.
Natural resources: petroleum, liquefied natural gas (LNG), tin, minerals.
Agricultural products: palm oil, rubber, timber, cocoa, rice, tropical fruit, fish, coconut.
Industry: Types--electronics, electrical products, chemicals, food and beverages, metal and machine products, apparel.
Trade: Merchandise exports--$185.0 billion: electronic products, manufactured goods, petroleum, palm oil, liquid natural gas, apparel, timber, rubber. Major markets--U.S. 15.6%, Singapore 14.6%, Japan 9.1%, China 8.8%. Merchandise imports--$154.0 billion: electronic products, machinery, chemicals, manufactured goods, petroleum products. Major suppliers--Japan 13.0%, China 12.9%, Singapore 11.5%, U.S. 10.8%.

PEOPLE
Malaysia's multi-racial society contains many ethnic groups. Malays comprise a majority of just over 50%. By constitutional definition, all Malays are Muslim. About a quarter of the population is ethnic Chinese, a group which historically played an important role in trade and business. Malaysians of Indian descent comprise about 7% of the population and include Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians. Non-Malay indigenous groups combine to make up approximately 11% of the population.

Population density is highest in peninsular Malaysia, home to some 20 million of the country's 27 million inhabitants. The remaining 7 million live on the Malaysian portion of the island of Borneo in the large but less densely-populated states of Sabah and Sarawak. More than half of Sarawak's residents and about two-thirds of Sabah's are from indigenous groups.

HISTORY
The early Buddhist Malay kingdom of Srivijaya, based at what is now Palembang, Sumatra, dominated much of the Malay peninsula from the 9th to the 13th centuries AD. The powerful Hindu kingdom of Majapahit, based on Java, gained control of the Malay peninsula in the 14th century. Conversion of the Malays to Islam, beginning in the early 14th century, accelerated with the rise of the state of Malacca under the rule of a Muslim prince in the 15th century. Malacca was a major regional commercial center, where Chinese, Arab, Malay, and Indian merchants traded precious goods.

Drawn by this rich trade, a Portuguese fleet conquered Malacca in 1511, marking the beginning of European expansion in Southeast Asia. The Dutch ousted the Portuguese from Malacca in 1641. The British obtained the island of Penang in 1786 and temporarily controlled Malacca with Dutch acquiescence from 1795 to 1818 to prevent it from falling to the French during the Napoleonic war. The British gained lasting possession of Malacca from the Dutch in 1824, through the Anglo-Dutch treaty, in exchange for territory on the island of Sumatra in what is today Indonesia.

In 1826, the British settlements of Malacca, Penang, and Singapore were combined to form the Colony of the Straits Settlements. From these strongholds, in the 19th and early 20th centuries the British established protectorates over the Malay sultanates on the peninsula. During their rule the British developed large-scale rubber and tin production and established a system of public administration. British control was interrupted by World War II and the Japanese occupation from 1941 to 1945.

Popular sentiment for independence swelled during and after the war. The territories of peninsular Malaysia joined together to form the Federation of Malaya in 1948 and eventually negotiated independence from the British in 1957. Tunku Abdul Rahman became the first prime minister. In 1963 the British colonies of Singapore, Sarawak, and Sabah joined the Federation, which was renamed Malaysia. Singapore's membership was short-lived, however; it left in 1965 and became an independent republic.

Neighboring Indonesia objected to the formation of Malaysia and began a program of economic, political, diplomatic, and military "confrontation" against the new country in 1963, which ended only after the fall of Indonesia's President Sukarno in 1966. Internally, local communists, nearly all Chinese, carried out a long, bitter insurgency both before and after independence, prompting the imposition of a state of emergency from 1948 to 1960. Small bands of guerrillas remained in bases along the rugged border with southern Thailand, occasionally entering northern Malaysia. These guerrillas finally signed a peace accord with the Malaysian Government in December 1989. A separate, small-scale communist insurgency that began in the mid-1960s in Sarawak also ended with the signing of a peace accord in October 1990.

GOVERNMENT
Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, nominally headed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, customarily referred to as the king. Kings are elected for 5-year terms from among the nine sultans of the peninsular Malaysian states. The king also is the leader of the Islamic faith in Malaysia.

Executive power is vested in the cabinet led by the prime minister; the Malaysian constitution stipulates that the prime minister must be a member of the lower house of parliament who, in the opinion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, commands a majority in parliament. The cabinet is chosen from among members of both houses of parliament and is responsible to that body.

The bicameral parliament consists of the Senate (Dewan Negara) and the House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat). All 70 Senate members sit for 3-year terms, which are normally extended for an additional 3 years; 26 are elected by the 13 state assemblies, and 44 are appointed by the king following the prime minister's recommendation. Representatives of the House are elected from single-member districts by universal adult suffrage. The 222 members of the House of Representatives are elected to parliamentary terms lasting up to 5 years. Legislative power is divided between federal and state legislatures.

The Malaysian legal system is based on English common law. The Federal Court reviews decisions referred from the Court of Appeal; it has original jurisdiction in constitutional matters and in disputes between states or between the federal government and a state. Peninsular Malaysia and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak each have a high court.

The federal government has authority over external affairs, defense, internal security, justice (except civil law cases among Malays or other Muslims and other indigenous peoples, adjudicated under Islamic and traditional law), federal citizenship, finance, commerce, industry, communications, transportation, and other matters.

Principal Government Officials
Prime Minister--Datuk Seri Utama Abdullah bin Ahmad Badawi
Foreign Minister--Datuk Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim
Ambassador to the U.S.--vacant
Ambassador to the UN--Datuk Hamidon bin Ali

Malaysia maintains an embassy in the U.S. at 3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel. (202) 572-9700; a Consulate General at 550 South Hope Street, Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90071, tel. (213) 892-1238; and a Consulate General at 313 East 43rd Street, New York City, NY 10017, tel. (212) 490-2722/23.

POLITICAL CONDITIONS
Malaysia's predominant political party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), has held power in coalition with other parties continuously since independence in 1957. The UMNO coalition's share of the vote declined in national elections held in May 1969, after which riots broke out in Kuala Lumpur and elsewhere, mainly between Malays and ethnic Chinese. Several hundred people were killed or injured. The government declared a state of emergency and suspended all parliamentary activities.

In the years that followed, Malaysia undertook several initiatives that became integral parts of its socioeconomic model. The New Economic Policy (NEP), launched in 1971, contained a series of affirmative action policies designed to benefit Malays and certain indigenous groups (together known as bumiputera or "sons of the soil"). The Constitution was amended to limit dissent against the specially-protected and sensitive portions of the Constitution pertaining to the social contract. The government identified intercommunal harmony as one of its official goals. The previous alliance of communally based parties was replaced with a broader coalition--the Barisan Nasional (BN) or National Front. The BN won large majorities in the 1974 federal and state elections.

Dr. Mahathir Mohamad was Prime Minister between 1981 and 2003, leading UMNO and BN to successive election victories. Mahathir emphasized economic development during his tenure, in particular the export sector, as well as large scale infrastructure projects. Mahathir attributed the success of the Asian tiger economies to the "Asian values" of its people, which he believed were superior to those of the West. Mahathir sharply criticized the International Monetary Fund (IMF), international financiers such as George Soros, and Western governments during the sharp economic and financial crisis that affected Asia in 1997-8, and denied that the downturn was due to the failures of corruption and "crony capitalism."

The end of Mahathir's tenure was marred by a falling out with his deputy and presumed successor, Anwar Ibrahim. In September 1998, Mahathir dismissed Anwar and accused him of immoral and corrupt conduct. Although Anwar was convicted on both charges in 1999 and 2000, the trials were viewed as seriously flawed. Malaysia's Federal Court eventually freed Anwar after overturning his immoral conduct conviction in September 2004.

Mahathir stepped down as prime minister in October 2003 after 22 years in power, and his successor, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, was sworn into office. Abdullah called elections and won an overwhelming victory in March 2004. Since taking office, Abdullah, an Islamic scholar, has promoted the concept of "Islam Hadhari" or "civilizational Islam," emphasizing the importance of education, social harmony, and economic progress. His relationship with Mahathir eventually soured, and the former prime minister now expresses regret at supporting Abdullah to be his successor.

Malaysia held national elections in March 2008. UMNO and its coalition allies in the BN won a simple majority of the seats in the national parliament but for the first time in history failed to gain the two-thirds majority necessary to amend the constitution. A loose coalition of opposition parties, called the Pakatan Rakyat or Peoples Alliance, led by Anwar Ibrahim, won 82 of 222 seats in parliament and took control of the state-level assemblies in five of Malaysia's thirteen states. In October 2008, Prime Minister Abdullah announced that he would step down as UMNO party president, and by extension as Prime Minister, in March 2009, and he endorsed a transition of power to Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

ECONOMY
Since it became independent, Malaysia's economic record has been one of Asia's best. Real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by an average of 6.5% per year from 1957 to 2005. Performance peaked in the early 1980s through the mid-1990s, as the economy experienced sustained rapid growth averaging almost 8% annually. High levels of foreign and domestic investment played a significant role as the economy diversified and modernized. Once heavily dependent on primary products such as rubber and tin, Malaysia today is a middle-income country with a multi-sector economy based on services and manufacturing. Malaysia is one of the world's largest exporters of semiconductor devices, electrical goods, and information and communication technology (ICT) products.

The government continues to actively manage the economy. Malaysia's New Economic Policy (NEP), first established in 1971, was a 10-year plan that sought to rectify a situation whereby ethnic Malays and indigenous peoples ("bumiputera"), who comprised nearly 60% of the population, held less than 3% of the nation's wealth. Policy makers implemented a complex network of racial preferences intended to promote the acquisition of economic assets by bumiputera. In 1981 when the racial preferences were set to expire, the government extended the NEP for another 10 years, stating that its goals had not been achieved. The policies again were extended in 1991 and in 2001.

The Malaysian economy went into sharp recession in 1997-1998 during the Asian financial crisis, which affected countries throughout the region, including South Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand. Malaysia's GDP contracted by more than 7% in 1998. Malaysia narrowly avoided a return to recession in 2001 when its economy was negatively impacted by the bursting of the dot-com bubble (which hurt the ICT sector) and slow growth or recession in many of its important export markets.

In July 2005, the government removed the 7-year old peg linking the ringgit's value to the U.S. dollar at an exchange rate of RM 3.8/U.S. $1.0. The dollar peg was replaced by a managed float against an undisclosed basket of currencies. The new exchange rate policy was designed to keep the ringgit more broadly stable and to avoid uncertain currency swings which could harm exports.

The Malaysian financial system has exhibited noteworthy resilience to the 2008 global financial crisis. Malaysian banks are well capitalized and have no measurable exposure to the U.S. sub-prime market. The central bank maintains high levels of foreign exchange reserves and a conservative regulatory environment, having prohibited some of the riskier assets in vogue elsewhere. However, decreasing demand in the U.S. and elsewhere is taking a toll on Malaysian exports, resulting in slower economic growth going forward.

FOREIGN RELATIONS
Regional cooperation is a cornerstone of Malaysia's foreign policy. It was a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and served as the group's chair most recently in 2005-2006. It hosted the ASEAN Summit and East Asia Summit in December 2005, as well as the ASEAN Ministerial and the ASEAN Regional Forum in July 2006.

Malaysia is an active member of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and the United Nations. It was chair of the OIC until March 2008 and has also chaired the NAM.

Malaysia is a frequent contributor to UN and other peacekeeping and stabilization missions, including recent deployments to Lebanon, Timor-Leste, Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, and Kosovo.

U.S.-MALAYSIAN RELATIONS
The United States and Malaysia share a diverse and expanding partnership. Economic ties are robust. The United States is Malaysia's largest trading partner and Malaysia is the sixteenth-largest trading partner of the U.S. Annual two-way trade amounts to $44 billion. The United States and Malaysia launched negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) in June 2006.

The United States is the largest foreign investor in Malaysia on a cumulative basis. American companies are particularly active in the energy, electronics, and manufacturing sectors. The U.S. direct investment position in Malaysia for 2007 was $15.7 billion.

The United States and Malaysia cooperate closely on security matters, including counter-terrorism, maritime domain awareness, and regional stability. The relationship between the U.S. and Malaysian militaries is also strong with numerous exchanges, training, joint exercises, and visits. The U.S. and Malaysia signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in July 2006 during the visit to Kuala Lumpur by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Principal U.S. Embassy Officials
Ambassador--James R. Keith
Deputy Chief of Mission--Robert G. Rapson
Political Counselor--Mark D. Clark
Economic Counselor--Matt J. Matthews
Commercial Counselor--Nasir A. Abbasi
Public Affairs Officer--Marrie Y. Schaefer
Agricultural Attache--David W. Cottrell
Consul General--Charles J. Wintheiser

The U.S. Embassy in Malaysia is located at 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur (tel. 60-3-2168-5000, fax 60-3-2142-2207).
TRAVEL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION
The U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program advises Americans traveling and residing abroad through Country Specific Information, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings. Country Specific Information exists for all countries and includes information on entry and exit requirements, currency regulations, health conditions, safety and security, crime, political disturbances, and the addresses of the U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. Travel Alerts are issued to disseminate information quickly about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions overseas that pose significant risks to the security of American travelers. Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid travel to a certain country because the situation is dangerous or unstable.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://www.travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings can be found. Consular Affairs Publications, which contain information on obtaining passports and planning a safe trip abroad, are also available at http://www.travel.state.gov. For additional information on international travel, see http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Travel/International.shtml.

The Department of State encourages all U.S. citizens traveling or residing abroad to register via the State Department's travel registration website or at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Registration will make your presence and whereabouts known in case it is necessary to contact you in an emergency and will enable you to receive up-to-date information on security conditions.

Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada or the regular toll line 1-202-501-4444 for callers outside the U.S. and Canada.

The National Passport Information Center (NPIC) is the U.S. Department of State's single, centralized public contact center for U.S. passport information. Telephone: 1-877-4-USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778); TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793. Passport information is available 24 hours, 7 days a week. You may speak with a representative Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.

Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) and a web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries. The CDC publication "Health Information for International Travel" can be found at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentYellowBook.aspx.

Further Electronic Information
Department of State Web Site. Available on the Internet at http://www.state.gov, the Department of State web site provides timely, global access to official U.S. foreign policy information, including Background Notes and daily press briefings along with the directory of key officers of Foreign Service posts and more. The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) provides security information and regional news that impact U.S. companies working abroad through its website http://www.osac.gov

Export.gov provides a portal to all export-related assistance and market information offered by the federal government and provides trade leads, free export counseling, help with the export process, and more.

STAT-USA/Internet, a service of the U.S. Department of Commerce, provides authoritative economic, business, and international trade information from the Federal government. The site includes current and historical trade-related releases, international market research, trade opportunities, and country analysis and provides access to the National Trade Data Bank.