UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER |
CHILUVANE Lourenro
The importance of E-mail within education
ABSTRACT:
Since computer based learning is achieving a permanent
acceptance within the decision maker in training
institutions and taking into account consideration that
education includes the exchange of information, the E-mail
in education will play an important role in the worldwide
educational process. The North and South are becoming new
chance to exchange information in real time for research
and general cultural purpose. Although the governments and
particularly those of developing countries are facing
financial problems to introduce computer into education,
private initiatives are emerging. This paper will give an
overview about the importance of computing in education,
especially, for developing countries, based on my project
in Mozambique. The role of E-mail will be emphasized. The
first part describes the form of usage of computer in
education. The E-mail in virtual education will be
relevant. The second part will present a pilot project for
strategical introduction of computer in education. Results
of actual explorative research will be presented. The
conclusion will draw that the hypothetical solution of many
social and economical problems of developing countries
depend on high qualified human resource and the speed of
computer based information processing and exchange.
CORENTHIN Alex
TITLE: Construction d'un reseau Recherche-Education au Senegal
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Le
reseau informatique de la recherche-education prend
forme au Senegal, avec une vingtaine d'organismes et
d'institutions relies (universites, centres de recherche,
agence de presse etc....). Construit autour de RIO (le
Reseau Intertropic d'Ordinateurs), ce reseau connat une
forte croissance en terme de noeuds (+18 en 1994). La
gestion du reseau, jusque la fortement centralisee, va se
repartir entre plusieurs acteurs de recherche et de
l'education senegalais. Le courrier electronique et ses
services derives (annexion de fichiers, forums
electroniques) reste l'application premiere du reseau, mme
si de nouveaux services apparaissent: interrogation de
bases de donnees bibliographiques par minitel et
infoserveur. L'Internet est directement accessible depuis
le Senegal via l'encapsulation IP sur X25. Son cot est
pour l'instant assez eleve et en limite l'utilisation a des
transferts de fichiers (ftp) peu frequents. Cependant, les
divers projets en cours - augmentation du debit du reseau
X25 (passage a 48kbits), liaison specialisee entre le
Senegal et la France, IP sur RTC - ainsi que l'Internet
grandissant des utilisateurs envers les nouveaux services
du reseau, permettent d'esperer pour l'avenir un vrai
reseau Internet au Senegal.
BAKHAIT Shadia Yousif
TITLE: UNIDO-INTIB's information base
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Information networking: A network approach to information
handling developed by INTIB is expected to unify techniques
in information processing and to create a greater awareness
in organizing information and increasing the exchange of
business and industrial information among developing
countries and to share information products and services.
INTIB's international referral system: The international
referral system is designed to redirect queries received by
INTIB (either in Vienna, or in the National Focal Points)
to a wide range of well targeted sources of industrial and
technological information. The system will provide INTIB's
customers mainly in developing countries with more
up-to-date and indeed a wider spectrum of industrial and
technological information for information exchange and
processing.
CHEPKWONY John K.
TITLE: Networking needs for science and technology systems in Kenya
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
The
networking
needs arises from information needs which is
required for development. The only way to be successful in
this era and in future is to invest in science and
technology activities. Technology is advancing very fast
and to keep up, the S&T institutions need to operate in a
network environment. The network would enhance the linkages
of S&T institutions, e.g. collaborative endeavors,
information exchange, information dissemination and access
to information. For example, researchers would have access
to work of colleagues and to databases, resulting in
quality research. Professors would supervise from distant
stations. Work groups would conduct interactive conferences
with each other, paying no need to physical location.
Information systems would serve their clientele better,
e.g. by conducting current awareness services, selective
dissemination (SDI), and online as well as offline access
to databases.
MASMOUDI Mustapha
TITLE: Experience et attente d'un institut prive africain en matiere de formation a distance
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Analyse des actions entreprises par l'Institut Mediterraneen MASSMEDIA en formation a distance. Decomposition de la demarche et domaine d'intervention. Rle des differents medias selon les actions menees par cet institut prive. Experience avec Tele-Universite Quebec et partenaires nationaux et internationaux. Difficulte de la production audio-visuelle (par video cassette, par satellite, par disquette). Le cot excessif de transmission. Les nouvelles technologies: la videophonie a la place de la videoconference, le numerus pour une liaison peu coteuse, les nouvelles attitudes des pouvoirs publics en faveur de la formation a distance, les perspectives de partenariat et de cooperation regionale, rles des organisations internationales dans la recherche des nouvelles pedagogies et methodes d'enseignement, la formation a distance qui est une nouvelle promesse pour l'enseignement en Afrique.
ZERFU Dimd
TITLE: How telematics for development be realized in Ethiopia
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
As network providers, we have been witnessing a marked rise
in the use of modems and facsimiles for data communication.
Although this trend of increasing computer use is
encouraging, the fact remains that important economic
sectors like agriculture and trade firms, educational
institutes as the university and a number of other
Government institutes are either unaware or less informed
of the potential of computer hosted information services.
The users are mostly concentrated around UN Agencies and
certain Non-governmental organizations. This has been
revealed from the limited survey that ETA has made in order
to establish a Packet Switched Public Data (X.25) Network
(PSPDN). Likely the forefront task of agencies like PADIS
should be to promote computer hosted services as
appropriate to the above mentioned institutes.
Collaborative efforts between computer use promoters as
PADIS and network providers as ETA shall pave the way for
telematics.
TEDROS Aklilu Lemma
TITLE: Regulatory and economic aspects of the worldspace DAB System
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Worldspace is a corporation involved in providing a digital
audio broadcasting (DAB) service to the developing world.
AfriSpace, a subsidiary of WorldSpace, holds a license from
the United States FCC for satellite audio broadcasting to
the African/Arabian region. beginning in 1997/98, Afrispace
plans to broadcast its programming in the frequencies
1452-1492 MHz in the L-band, the frequencies set aside for
satellite DAB at the World Administr. Radio Conference
(WARC) held in Madrid, Spain in 1992. Some broadcasters
that have already reserved satellite channels with
AfriSpace include: VOA, Radio Nederland, Kenya Radio & TV
and Voice of Zimbabwe. The World Health Organization (WHO)
has also expressed its interest in providing health
information to rural areas using the AfriSpace satellite
system. In addition to allowing audio broadcasting, the
AfriSpace system will allow data transmission such as
faxcasting, e-mail (via a 232 serial port), paging and
video transmission.
WERNER Marcel
TITLE: Users needs and telecom operators offers in Africa: a way forward to meet demand
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
The presentation takes stock of telematics services
developed in the industrialized world with relevance to
African countries. Market experiences in the industrialized
world will be highlighted, with particular emphasis on
accompanying telecommunications regulations. The
availability of telematics facilities and services in
Africa will be analyzed. This availability is a function
of: network quality, available expertise with telecom
operator and with users, services portfolio of local
telecom operators, tariff structures and policies,
licensing of equipment, management structure and practices
local telecom operators, national telecommunications
regulation, national infrastructure development strategies.
The presentation will be based on TFA's research programme
which includes: detailed national users surveys African
countries, detailed regulatory development worldwide. A
special effort will be made to offer concrete examples of
circumstances in which telematics develop or flounder in
various countries.
SSEMWOGERERE Joseph M.
TITLE: Training of informatics users - A challenge to educational institutes
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Of
recent, Africa has been gripped by a wave of new
technologies in Telematics. Telematics products and
services are currently widely used in many different
institutions in Africa. A lot of telematics products have
appeared on the continent and as a result different
institutions use different telematics products. Many of
these institutions send members of their staff to
educational institutions to train in the use of their
products. Alternatively these institutions recruit
employees from colleges who will use and maintain their
products. Educational institutions have therefore to
provide suitable training for the numerous but different
telematics users. Trainers also need to explore areas of
cooperation and communication between different
institutions in African countries in order to share
learning and teaching experiences in telematics. Trainers
are therefore challenged to explore ways of standardizing
the type of training suitable to the many but different
telematics users.
LAZZARONI Adriana
TITLE: Status and objectives of the RINAF project
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
The RINAF (Regional Informatics Network for Africa) project
main objective is to bring basic data communication
services to a number of african countries in the Internet
environment. RINAF will privilege the Internet services
which are suitable for the African telecommunication
infrastructures and may reach the more isolated PC users.
Several actions have been taken so far to activate the five
main regional nodes of the project: CERIST-Algeria,
CNDST-Senegal, NCST and Moi University-Kenya, University of
Zambia-Zambia and NACETEM-Nigeria. Plans to implement the
project in the five regional nodes have been submitted by
each RINAF country coordinator and have been executed. The
equipment requested has been sent to the final destinations
and most of the main regional nodes have now active network
connections. Some training activities, on-site training and
on-site technical assistance have already been carried out
within the project and others are foreseen in the future in
order to create a group of skilled african technicians able
to manage the African network services. The second phase of
the project is about to start and other african countries
(10 are planned) will soon join the RINAF project.
NTHUNYA Emma
TITLE: Telematics: an added opportunity to information service or a threat
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
The
paper gives the definition of telematics. It discusses
the advantages and poses some examples of case studies and
success stories relating to communication methods. It goes
further to discuss the impact of telematics on the
development of information services and how people receive
this idea. The paper also examines whether telematics is a
good idea, where? and to whom? What are its effects
especially to the developing countries where problems of
good telecommunication systems are still encountered, where
financial self-sufficiency is still not obvious, also lack
of expertise is a problem. The paper concludes with the
recommendations as to the suggestions of the effective use
of telematics in the field of information service.
OSMAN Izzedin
TITLE: Data transmission in the Sudan: problems and prospects
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
The paper gives a brief overview of the current status of
data communication in the Sudan. It explains the concepts
of packet-switching radio transmission which is currently
used. It then gives and overview of the ten years plan and
the projects which are currently in progress.
FULLAN Riff Dan
TITLE: Online Ddatabase Development
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
NirvCentre has developed online full-text databases using
software from Open Text Corporation, a Canadian-based
company that has created an extremely efficient search
engine. We have assembled online databases from both APC
electronic conferences and organization-sponsored resources
(e.g., the International Institute for Sustainable
Development Sourcebase, the Federal Environmental
Assessment Review Office database) that allow users to
quickly search through large bodies of data for the
information they want and either download it or send it to
any email address accessible to the Internet. NirvCentre
would like to explore the possibility of utilizing this
technology to make text-based resources originating in
specific African countries available to others in the
region. One way this could be facilitated would be by
making the resources available internationally through the
Internet and charging fees for accessing them. The
financial gains resulting could then be applied to
improving linkages within Africa and creating
self-sustaining resource bases for individual institutions.
RENAUD Pascal
TITLE: L'Internet en Afrique: une approche pragmatique
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
En 1986, l'Orstom deploie un nouveau plan d'equipement base
sur des stations de travail Unix (Sun Microsystems) et des
reseaux locaux (Ethernet TCP/IP). Des 1989, une priorite
est accordee aux equipes d'Afrique. Un premier "site RIO"
est cree a Dakar, puis l'annee suivante d'autres a
Ouagadougou, Bmako, Lome. Chaque site est equipe avec les
mmes ordinateurs et les mmes logiciels et relie au
reseau. Base sur les technologies standard du systeme UNIX:
Ethernet, TCP/IP, UUCP, le reseau va s'inserer des le debut
dans l'ensemble des reseaux internationaux de la recherche
qui donnera naissance a l'Internet. C'est a qu'il est conu
comme un moyen de developper les echanges entre la
communaute scientifique des pays en developpement et celle
du Nord.La messagerie
electronique est tres vite adoptee par les chercheurs
travaillant en Afrique. Certaines equipes en font le canal
principal de leur communication. Le"email" devient peu a
peu un outil indispensable, il est propose a tous les
partenaires de l'Orstom, a commencer par l'ISRA (Institut
senegalais de recherche agronomique) et le CRO (Centre de
recherche oceanographique d'Abidjan) En 1992,
l'Orstom decide d'aller au dela et de partager son reseau
avec tous les acteurs de la recherche et du developpement.
Une charte est propose aux etablissements qui souhaitent
s'associer au reseau. En 1992 RIO s'associe aux
manifestations du Sommet de la Terre. En collaboration avec
l'IGC (APC), il offre ses services a tous les organismes -
officiels ou ONG - qui participent a la Conference des
Nations Unies sur l'Environnement et le Developpement
(CNUED). La version franaise des textes preparatoires a la
Conference est diffusees sur tous les sites RIO, et la
messagerie electronique est mise a la disposition des
organismes qui souhaitent communiquer avec leurs
delegations a Rio de Janeiro. Pour financer
l'extension du reseau, un systeme de partage des frais est
mis en place. L'utilisation des liaisons internationales
est comptabilisees et chacun contribue au fonctionnement.
L'Orstom n'est plus bailleur de fonds du RIO mais
partenaire principal d'un reseau commun pour la recherche,
l'enseignement superieur et le developpement. Apres deux
ans, la charte RIO a ete signee par 90 etablissements
repartis dans 12 pays. Pour repondre aux besoins de
communication scientifique et technique, pour permettre a
l'Afrique francophone de ne pas rester a l'ecart des
"autoroutes de l'information" le reseau doit s'etendre
encore. Et pour recueillir les moyens de ce developpement,
il associera d'autres organismes de recherche et de
cooperation scientifique et collaborera avec des
organisations multilaterales.
Actuellement, l'Orstom est l'operateur principal du reseau. Cette situation est provisoire. Nous encourageons les etablissements africains a prendre une place grandissante non seulement dans l'utilisation du reseau, mais dans sa gestion et son developpement. Des reseaux Internet "nationaux" commencent a prendre forme au Senegal, au Mali, au Burkina-Faso...Des ecoles d'ingenieurs, des etablissements de recherche, mais aussi des entreprises privees sont sur le point d'acquerir cette technologie et d'assurer le relais.
BREME Oumar Matar
TITLE: Programme du reseau developpement durable
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Lance en 1980 par le PNUD, le Reseau de Developpement
Durable fait partie integrante de capacite 21. Le reseau
met les informations necessaires a la disposition des
responsables charges de planifier des strategies de
developpement durable. Il constitue un pont entre les
sources et les utilisateurs de l'information et ce grce a
des entretiens directes et des moyens de communication
electroniques ou autres, le reseau encourage le dialogue et
la communication dans l'espoir d'amener les interesses.
Ceux dont le developpement depend ou qui en sont le plus
tributaire a participer plus activement au processus de
developpement. Le Tchad entend elargir son reseau au niveau
national, regional et international.
MKHWANAZI Victoria Nomsa
TITLE: The current status of telematics in Swaziland: problems and prospects
ABSTRACT/TITLE:
Reviews the needs for the libraries and information
centres; the current status of telecommunication and its
implication to information centres.
KONE Tiemoman
TITLE: Experience ivoirienne en matiere de reseaux: existant et perspectives
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Le
pauvre de demain se determinera par sa capacite a
acceder a l'information. En effet, les nouveaux themes
comme " autoroute de l'information" et multimedia
prefigurent la naissance d'une societe de l'informatique.
L'ordinateur sera au sein de cette societe l'interface
privilegiee entre chaque individu et le reste du monde. Les
pays en developpement et plus particulierement les pays
africains doivent participer htivement a la construction
de cette societe de l'informatique au risque de voir une
fois de plus marginalises. Dans ce papier, nous
presenterons une etude realisee au sujet de la mise en
place d'un reseau Internet pour les besoins de la recherche
et de l'enseignement en Cte d'Ivoire.
NGOLA Makau
TITLE: Electronic communication
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
The paper gives an overview of electronic communication
services offered by the ELCI node, the problems that it
encounters in so doing and a brief discussion of solutions
and directions for the future.
KHELLADI Yacine
TITLE: Quel mecanisme de cooperation pour quel modele de developpement de l'utilisation
efficiente de nouvelles technologies de l'information et la communication: le projet
Telesinergia
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Presente les differentes caracteristiques de l'objet NTIC
(Nouvelles Technologies de l'Information) a savoir
l'information comme objet virtuel, le developpement des
outils et produits a tres grande vitesse, le developpement
des outils et produits non hierarchiques, repondant plutt
a un schema decentralise, type "chaos", l'utilisation qui
se diffuse a partir du secteur scientifique vers les
autres, la marche en formation, les cots des
investissements initiaux importants, et le grand cot
initial de l'apprentissage et de la formation.
Examine les objectifs et methodologies pour une diffusion de l'utilisation efficiente des NTIC a savoir la necessite de l'institutionnalisation, de la prise en compte de l'importance de l'organisation et de la formation, la necessite d'un mecanisme de transfert de technologie efficient c'est a dire qui permet un developpement de l'utilisation de technologies sous le contrle des utilisateurs et qui prenne en compte les realites sociales et culturelles ainsi que les necessite reelles des pays en developpement, la necessite d'un mecanisme de cooperation, la necessite de la double integration verticale et horizontale dans l'implantation des NTIC.
Decrit le concept de TELESINERGIA avec accent sur les differents besoins pour atteindre les objectifs. Indique que TELESINERGIA se veut un espace virtuel pour les differents NTIC cree a travers le regroupement dynamiques de partenaires aux caracteristiques differentes. Presente les actions a entreprendre par TELESINERGIA telles que la sensibilisation destinees a tous les niveaux de decisions regionaux, les services, conseil et assistance et le rle de veille technologique. Presente aussi l'etat du projet.
ODEDRA-STRAUB Mayuri
TITLE: The non-technical telematics issues
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
My paper will look at some of the non-technical issues
which influence the use, or application, of
telecommunications in Africa; issues which are hindering or
preventing individuals from taking advantage of the
telematics revolution, and with it the opportunities that
exist for applying this technology for development of their
nations. The paper will look at some problems besetting
these countries, their causes and suggest some solutions.
Issues addressed will include: political influences, lack
of policies, local culture influencing use ad foreign
culture inflicted through use, lack of skills, access to
information, telematic's overall impact on society,
influence of local economies, poor links, poor service,
management, reliance on imported equipment, etc.
NSUBUGA Shem Nnaggenda
TITLE: African initiatives and needs concerning telematics facilities and services
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
The initiatives in the eastern and southern region are
ESANet (East and Southern African Network), HealthNet,
REPTIA (Regional Program for Trainers of Information
Analysts). These are to enhance communication between
academicians in the universities in the region and learn
new modes in training using information technology. The
data shared between the academicians is low in capacity and
less than that between them and the west. There is
opportunity to ramify to form national networks that can be
used primarily for market oriented options like distance
education. The benefits are lower-cost region-oriented
education and cheaper retraining of scholars which saves on
cash outflows to obtain foreign education by
correspondence.
This venture requires a feasibility study. This will indicate the present telematics facilities and services available; suggest standardization modes for communication to other continents and within the region, the infrastructure required. An appropriate uniform tariff structure to increase the local telematics equipment manufacturing or decrease cost of hard/software input from overseas. Training manpower to implement and train users of the telematics network is very important and lastly the sources of financing to be used should be discussed.
KATAMA Agnes Komukyeya
TITLE: Market oriented author targeting readership/usership defining
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
The
need to network in Africa is crucial from an economic
and market-oriented point of view. More efficient messages
with greater impact need to reach more people at the least
cost. The ability to sustain information structures in this
sort will require donor support in the initial stages.
However, donor dependency is an ill that the continent must
not introduce into its upcoming information capability.
ENVIRONET proposes a philosophy of cost-sharing resource
management, audience-targeting and South-North marketing
which many ministries, universities, research centre etc.
on the continent should use as a basis for negotiation. In
an unpublished report on the ITU and its potential role in
the education of African Youth (1996), Spain, it remained
clear that the potential to bridge the gap between authors
and readers within the continent will only be realized once
a true evaluation of authorship is defined. An appealing
relation between author-known prestige, information
dissemination capability and end-user infrastructure should
be studied so as to encourage the critical mass of existing
potential authors. The possibility of reaching the only
constituency where information is not only a need but is
crucial to development at all levels in the true sense of
the word.
KWANKAM Yunkap S.
TITLE: Information technology in Africa: a proactive approach and the prospects of leapfrogging
decades in the development process
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
This paper examines perspectives for the growth of
information technology (IT) in Africa. The central thesis
is that, as in other development sectors, technological
solutions are more readily available than the political
will to implement them. Policy aspects of IT therefore need
to be addressed, in terms of formulation, dissemination and
implementation. In the absence of clear and enforceable
policy, the industry is likely to evolve in a haphazard
manner in reaction to uncoordinated external motives, thus
allowing improper practices which would impair the growth
of enthusiasm for IT. One strategy proposed is to build IT
into priority development sectors as identified by
governments themselves; areas such as education, health and
the environment, which open up strategy is to pursue IT at
regional level, and with strong inter-agency collaboration,
given the interdisciplinary nature of the technology. This
would have two positive outcomes. It would contribute to
bringing down the barriers which currently circumscribe
countries as fairly closed information entities. Secondly
it would exploit the band-wagon effect, which has worked
successfully in the health sector, to commit African
governments to programs in the development of IT. This
development should take a long-term view, reaching for the
cutting edge of the technology, for which some
institutional capacity already exists. The continent could
thus leapfrog decades in the development of IT and provide
an empowering environment for development in other sectors.
SAWO Sankung
TITLE: Developing data communications service in Te Gambia: problems and stategies
ABSTRACT/TITLE:
In 1992, Gambia Telecom Company Ltd, Gamtel, introduced two
new Value Added Network services (VANS): an X.25 based
Packed Switch Network and Cellular (or mobile) telephony.
The X.25 network is built on US based Tymnet technology and
it was configured to be subnetwork of that Company's Global
Network Service (GNS) X.25 Network. Telematics was new
concept even in the ranks of Gamtel itself, the Company
having been preoccupied with developing a nationwide wired
telephone network embodied in its third phase project. This
project in effect was to extend the already well
established first class telephone service in the Capital
Banjul, and surrounding urban area, thus forming the very
basis of a VAN data network. With no online services in the
Gambia, Gamtel had to deal with the daunting problem of
selling its X.25 service - a bare network. One of the
strategies adapted was to subscribe to BT Messaging service
in UK as a corporate customer and then sell the Service to
Gambian Customers. Other strategies being considered by
Gamtel include: 1) provide access to world wide Internet
network, 2) provide access to other major commercial on
line services such as CompuServe, MCI Mail, Genie, etc. 3)
introduce e-mail service with gateways to Internet etc. 4)
upgrade network links to 64kbps. Another problem is
computer literacy . Gamtel has embarked on computer
training at its training centre, one of the best in the
country.
OCHUODHO Shem J.
TITLE: Trends in telematics and prospects for Africa
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Timely processing and transportation of health information
is crucial for the provision and management of the health
service, and is reminiscent of a good health system.
Today's health care requirements in the developed world ,
for example, cannot be met any other way except "through
health networks", which have become a common feature.
Communication systems in Africa tend to be too unreliable
and costly to adequately support information exchange. In
this presentation, trends in telematics are identified, and
their prospects for enhanced delivery of health service in
Africa highlighted. The benefits of a hypothetical (yet
feasible) continent wide network, its potential uses,
benefits and of course likely drawbacks are discussed. The
current status of networking in the region is summarized
against a background of experiences elsewhere. A possible
action plan is suggested.
OUMTANAGA Souleymane
TITLE: Constitution d'un reseau de recherche a Yamoussoukro. Application: Diffusion d'outils
didactiques via ce reseau
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Dans le cadre des travaux de recherche, les chercheurs
ivoiriens rencontrent d'enormes difficultes pour
l'etablissement des contacts scientifiques avec leurs
homologues etrangers. Il est aussi difficile de mener
correctement une recherche bibliographique sur des themes
etudies entranant ineluctablement une perte de temps non
negligeable. Les systemes de communication actuellement
disponibles (Telephone, fax, telex) restent tres onereux
pour les instituts de recherche. Les differentes
collaborations, indispensables a l'emergence d'un potentiel
de recherche induisent un besoin croissant de
communication. Le recours au reseau informatique est une
reponse pertinente a ces besoins. Il permet un dialogue
frequent, non protocolaire, non contraignant pour les
interlocuteurs (contrairement au telephone) et met les
equipes en contact sur un plan d'egalite technologique.
Il devient possible a un groupe de recherche entre plusieurs villes de la Cte d'Ivoire de mener un projet en commun, le reseau permettant de se conseiller mutuellement dans le montage d'une experience, de collaborer dans la redaction d'un article ou d'un rapport, de transmettre des fiches bibliographiques, enfin d'executer ailleurs des traitements informatiques lourds.
En plus de l'aspect messagerie, nous envisageons developper la formation a distance via ce reseau. Les nouvelles technologies de communication permettent d'envisager un enseignement a distance multimedia et interactif, plus adapte a la fois aux apprenant et aux enseignants, plus souple geographiquement (decentralisation de la formation) et temporellement (acces en cas de necessite. Cette strategie pedagogique permettrait l'acces des formations qui jusque la etaient inaccessible.
BENHAMADI Moussa
TITLE: Les reseaux de recherche et l'informatique scientifique et technique en Algerie
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Les reseaux informatiques jouent un rle fondamental pour
le developpement des services d'echange d'information dans
tous les secteurs d'activite. Les reseaux informatiques et
la communication, a travers ces reseaux de l'information et
plus particulierement de l'information specialisee qu'est
l'information scientifique et technique constituent les
principaux themes developpes.
L'information est la composante commune a toutes les actions de recherche et de developpement technologique. Cette information doit tre facilement accessible et rapidement transferable, d'o la necessite des reseaux de communication. Les nouvelles technologies introduisent des outils technologiques qui permettent le developpement des systemes de traitement de l'information et sa mise a disposition a travers des reseaux de communication.
Les enjeux de l'information et sa communication a travers les reseaux specialises sont perus dans tous les domaines d'activites et plus particulierement dans les domaines de la formation et de la cooperation scientifique et technique qui constituent une plate-forme d'actions communes a promouvoir et a developper pour rapprocher les secteurs de la recherche et de l'enseignement et ceux de l'industrie et des entreprises de production.
En integrant les technologies des telecommunications et celles de l'information, il est possible d'envisager la naissance de nouvelles applications en particulier dans le secteur de l'enseignement superieur et de la recherche scientifique. Ces actions doivent favoriser l'eclosion de projets novateurs faisant appel a l'informatique, a la telematique, aux reseaux de communication dans le but de constituer des reseaux d'echange d'information et de cooperation tels les reseaux academiques et de recherche.
Le reseau national de recherche ARN (Academic Research Network) a pour objectif majeur la cooperation entre les secteurs scientifiques dans les milieux academiques et industriels. La strategie a adopter doit se baser sur une infrastructure de communication a mettre en place et sur laquelle sont developpes des services de communication et d'echange d'informations. Un tel reseau peut assurer la consultation et la constitution de bases de donnees specialisees et constitue un support pour la messagerie personnalisees et l'echange de donnees et de documents.
EL-MAOUHAB Aouaouche
TITLE: Les standards d'interconnectivite au profit des reseaux
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Le partage des ressources informationnelles dans le domaine
documentaire est un critere primordial sur lequel doit se
baser toute organisation de gestion de l'information
documentaire. Ce critere nous a oriente vers la definition
d'un projet pour le developpement d'un reseau documentaire
construit sur une architecture decentralisee et qui permet
a chaque partenaire de collaborer et de beneficier des
services mis en place. Les services documentaires a
developper doivent tre construits sur la base de plusieurs
criteres: repartition des systemes telles que adaptation
aux protocoles de communication, heterogeneite des systemes
telles que utilisation des normes internationales pour
l'interconnexion de systemes ouverts, diversification des
services a savoir empilement des services par couche, du
service le plus elementaires au service complexe,
cooperation des services communicant tels que le
developpement de service ouvert oriente "interface" et
"protocole" conforme a l'architecture en couches d'ISO des
systemes ouverts.
Notre choix a porte sur l'integration d'un ensemble de sous-systemes repondant chacun a une fonctionnalite specifique du systeme global et qui fait l'objet d'une normalisation internationale (standard ISO). Le prototype presente, integre trois elements de base qui s'articulent entre eux et qui sont: le systeme de messagerie (MHS: Message Handling System), le systeme annuaire (Directory Service) et un troisieme element non normalise: le systeme documentaire.
WALUGEMBE Edward
TITLE: Needs assessment for telematics development in Uganda
ABSTRACT:
Telematics is new technology which is not widely used in
Uganda. In fact it is not used in the Ministry of Education
and Sports. Its enormous advantages can be beneficial to
the development process of Uganda. The symposium is a rare
opportunity for Uganda to plan, develop and operate
telematics and therefore reap its benefits. The needs for
the development of telematics in Uganda will be identified.
BARAK Ron
TITLE: Internet and the art of the possible
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
The current situation in Africa is that most countries do
not have an Internet node within their boundaries, and most
African cannot connect, economically, to Internet nodes
outside their country's borders. The result is that most
Africans are cut from the vast resources of information
available on the international electronic networks.
However, in the last years, more and more African countries
gained access to electronic mail (e-mail), and - because
most of these e-mail networks have gateways to the
Internet, it means those people with e-mail access can tap
at least some of the vast resources on the Internet,
albeit, not as fast or as convenient as direct links
(on-line) access to the Internet.
The proposed paper will try to present some of the procedures available to e-mail users to gain access to the information on the Internet, using what's available to them, namely e-mail.
The procedures in the paper will present ways for accessing free information (at least, it is free as of this writing) on the Internet, meaning, charges are not made for retrieving the information from the Internet.
KRASSI Petrova
TITLE: Exploring E-mail for literary searches and data transfer
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Among the projects were started at the National Institute
of Research recently, some are closely linked to
telecommunications as implemented in Information
Technology: they will be based on the electronic mail links
that connect NI with other researchers inside and outside
Botswana.
One of them is run by the Computer Unit at NI involving also the Library and Documentation Unit and the Health and Nutrition Unit. Through the HealthNet point the medical community in Botswana has access to the Medical Library at the Emory University, Atlanta. The second project related to telematics is based on a SANGONET E-mail point installed at the Library and Documentation Unit (PADIS). And finally, the proposed Data Archive, to be established at NI, will aim to compile a raw data collection and to offer access to its files to other researchers. In addition, there is a possibility of linking NI ao Apple Macintosh users. It can be observed, that the Botswana information technology community is rapidly getting involved in various networks, thus getting access to the Internet as well.
GIANGI G.E.
TITLE: The status of telematics in Namibia and the future perspective
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Developing countries are still struggling to derive the
benefits of information technology. Before they can fully
grasp this technology, many realize that to do so there is
need to link this with telecommunications and other
associated technologies. Thus telematics, though widely
spoken, is benefitting only a few. These organizations and
individuals who venture to explore this technology to the
fullest, soon meet with discouragement when faced with the
bureaucracy of PTT companies and the slowness to which
these respond to telematics users. In addition to this, a
number of other cultural and social issues come to bear
upon the task of developing the necessary infrastructure
for telematics. This paper reviews the efforts done in
Namibia, the social barriers and challenges as well as
prospects of developing an infrastructure and resource
capacity for telematics.
TRAORE Nouhoum
TITLE: La telematique au Burkina - Situation et perspectives
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Il est reconnu de notoriete que les telecommunications sont
a l'homme d'affaire moderne d'aujourd'hui ce qu'a ete le
transport pour son homologue d'hier. Aussi la
responsabilite des administrations africaines des
telecommunications est pleinement engagee dans le processus
du developpement de la Nation, dans la mesure ou elles
doivent d'une part, mettre a disposition des reseaux
fiables, et d'autre part faire l'effort necessaire
d'expliquer aux operateurs economiques toutes les facilites
que leur offrent les telecommunications et en particulier
le reseau telematique. C'est pourquoi le Burkina
entreprendra a court et moyen terme des actions qui
pourraient favoriser l'expansion de la telematique dans
notre pays. Etant devenu le ple du cinema africain (nous
abritons le Festival Panafricain du Cinema de Ouagadougou
FESPACO), et organisant egalement tous les deux ans le
Salon International de l'Artisanat de Ouagadougou(SIAO),
nous voulons par ses actions non seulement diversifier les
sources de communications entre le Burkina et le reste du
monde, mais rendre encore plus fluide ces communications
pour le bonheur de tous. Au nombre de ces actions, on peut
citer: 1) le developpement d'actions de sensibilisation,
d'explication et de vulgarisation de la telematique par le
financement de spots publicitaires televisuels, des
brochures, des expositions etc.. 2)L'aide a
l'identification et a l'installation de serveurs
telematiques pour inciter le plus grand nombre
d'utilisateurs de l'outil informatique a demander un
branchement au reseau de transmission de donnees. La
mondialisation de l'economie et la globalisation des
telecommunications imposent a toutes les administrations
africaines des telecommunications, une concertation et un
echange d'experiences afin que l'Afrique cesse d'tre le
maillon faible de la chane de communication, c'est
pourquoi nous estimons enfin, qu'il est necessaire de
proposer a ces differentes administrations des
telecommunications, des actions de formation qui devraient
a terme, permettre de matriser les fonctions d'ingenierie,
de gestion, d'entretien et de planification des reseaux de
transmission de donnees. En annexe presente la structure
actuelle du Reseau National de Transmission de Donnees par
paquets (FASOPAC).
WANYEMBI Gregory N.W.
TITLE: The role of telematics in the development of an agricultural sector in high potential
area: case of Trans Nzoa District, Kenya
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Agriculture is Kenya's backbone. The majority of its
population (80) live and work in rural areas. Yet only 1/5
of its area is suitable for farming. Trans-Nzoia district
in Western Kenya is one of the high potential areas as far
as agriculture is concerned. It has rich and fertile
volcanic soils which produce a wide range of agricultural
products including maize (Kenya's staple food), livestock
and horticultural products. It is Kenya's bread basket.
However, the district has achieved little in terms of
socio-economic and agricultural development due to poor
infrastructure, insecurity and lack of a comprehensive
agricultural information system. Agricultural research is
carried out within and outside the district yet little of
its findings ever reach the farmer; and the few model (ADC)
farms offer few benefits even to the surrounding
populations. Further information on markets is incomplete
and speculative.
The radio, newspapers and telephone are the only means of communication but are unsuitable and inadequate. Other forms of communication are needed to bring about positive change.
This paper examines the role of telecommunications as means of bringing about this change. Its significance will have a bearing on Kenya as well as the rest of Africa.
MOHAMED Ben Ahmed
TITLE: L'experience tunisienne dans le domaine de la Telematique
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Cette
communication presente dans un premier volet les
projets pilotes entames au debut des annees 80. En effet, a
cette date, la Tunisie s'est lancee dans la promotion de la
transmission de donnees, de bases de donnees et de services
telematiques. Un premier projet a ete lance en 1983 visant
a doter la Tunisie d'un reseau national de transmission de
donnees et l'adaptation et l'experimentation de nouveaux
services, en particulier le service videotex et la
messagerie electronique. De ce projet ont decoule trois
actions: 1) l'installation du reseau TUNIPAC X25, 2) le
projet AFRIMAIL, adaptation et experimentation de la
messagerie X400 avec le support du Centre de Recherche pour
le Developpement International (CRDI) et, 3) le projet
DIDON utilisant l'approche videotex et en particulier les
terminaux Minitel pour la promotion des Bases de Donnees
Tunisiennes et l'acces aux Bases de Donnees
Internationales. Avec l'apparition de la norme X500
d'annuaire, la Tunisie etait parmi les premiers a
l'utiliser.
Dans une deuxieme etape, nous presenterons les grandes orientations des projets en cours ou a venir s'inscrivant dans le cadre de la strategie nationale definie par le Conseil Superieur de l'Informatique et des Telecommunications (CSIT). Parmi ces projets nous pouvons mentionner: 1) l'Echange de Donnees Informatise (EDI) qui occupe une place importante o des actions de sensibilisation, de maquettage et de prototypage ainsi que des etudes sont en cours avec le support de la Commission Europeenne et 2) le Reseau Numerique a Integration des Services (RNIS).
Actuellement, la Tunisie est dotees d'une infrastructure favorisant la telematique (reseau de telecommunications numeriques a 80, TUNIPAC), des acces a l'exterieur (noeuds INTERNET, EARN,...) et des services telematiques touchant la majorite des secteurs et utilisant l'ensemble des techniques: videotex, messagerie electronique, annuaire electronique, echange de donnees informatise.
TURYOMURWEGO Deusdedit Monday
TITLE: The role of telematics in educational administration: proposals for telematics
network in Uganda's Ministry of Education and Sports
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Since
education
is a
vital aspect for development,
telematics is not only necessary but indispensable to the
Ministry of Education and Sports if Uganda has to move the
right way forward. In order, thus, to pave way for a
telematics highway in the Ministry, I would wish to make
the following proposals for the decision makers: 1) set up
a Data bank at the General Headquarters (Kampala). 2)
Create a departmental network of computers which feed and
can be fed from the main Data bank. 3) Ensure that all
telephone lines are in good working condition. This will
play a vital role in both internal and external
communications, which the telematics will have to rely on
as a highway. 4) Acquire modern and sufficient
communication equipment, e.g. Minitel, fax machines,
audio-visual sets, etc... 5) have trained manpower to
operate and maintain the acquired equipment.
UNEP
The Telecommunications and Electronic Services
ABSTRACT:
The Telecommunications and Electronic Services (TES) was
been created this week and tasked to establish a single
global corporate network for UNEP, interfacing with the
global Internet. This network will in large part, be
mediated by the "Mercure" satellite communications system
being donated to UNEP by member states of the European
Space Agency. The initial configuration of Mercure
comprises 8 high-capacity and 8 medium capacity Intelsat
earth stations to be installed in the 1995-97 timeframe.
Some of these earth stations will serve UNEP Regional
Offices, but a number will be earmarked for installation at
institutions within appropriate partnering host countries.
A key utilization for "UNEPnet" will be for increasing the
capacity of institutions in host countries to identify and
acquire the environmental data and information required for
decision making supporting sustainable developments, and in
general to utilize global network resources to satisfy a
range of information, coordination and liaison
requirements. TES is also establishing user access points
based on Web, gopher conference and e-mail services for
utilization by the entire network community, as far as
possible irrespective of the level of communication with a
number of potential partner organizations in this effort,
including UNDP/SDN, IDRC, CIESIN, NASA, NOAA, ESA, the US
EPA and the Russian TV-ECOINFORM groups, as well as
elements of the FidoNet community. UNEP is also to
negotiate utilization of shared services by other UN
agencies, particularly those co-located in Nairobi,
including UNCHS (Habitat), Unicef, UNESCO and the World
Food Programme. This symposium will, I believe, represent
an important opportunity not only for UNEP to share with
this group its vision of the service to be provided in the
future, and to better apprise itself of how it can best
respond to the needs of this community.
DJOSSOUVI Emmanuel
TITLE: Reseau documentaire au Benin
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Le Centre de Documentation Technique (Ex-CENADI) du
Ministere du Plan et de la Restructuration Economique est
charge de coordonner les activites documentaires au plan
national et de proceder a la mise en place du reseau
national de developpement. Grce a la mission de la
Cooperation Franaise certains centres (membres du reseau)
sont dotes d'equipements informatiques, cinq produits
documentaires ont ete elabores: 1) sources d'information
pour le developpement, 2) repertoire des chercheurs et
scientifiques Benin, 3) catalogue collectif national des
periodiques du Benin, 4) catalogue des theses disponibles
a d'autres actions telles que les formations en CDS/ISIS et
la gestion des periodiques sont programmes au titre de
1995, 5) bibliographie commentee.
CHISENGA Justin
TITLE: Telematics in Lesotho: present and prospects for the future
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
The
paper will present an overview of the telematics
situation in Lesotho. The telematics infrastructure will be
examined and the level of the application of telematics
technologies in the various sectors of the country in order
to enhance development will be reviewed. Efforts being
towards networking, integration into the regional networks
and connection to Internet will be examined and plans being
made for the introduction of various telematics services
will be elaborated. Problems encountered in the
introduction and use of telematics in the country will also
be outlined and a future scenario presented.
SANE Ousmane
TITLE: La telematique au service de l'education et de la formation professionnelle, une chance pour
les pays en developpement: l'experience de l'EBAD de Dakar
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Il est maintenant admis que, dans la tres grande majorite
des pays d'Afrique subsaharienne, les systemes educatifs et
de formation professionnelle ont sinon echoue, du moins
montre leurs limites: d'une part, parce qu'ils sont en
inadequation par rapport aux besoins de l'economie et aux
attentes des entreprises; d'autre part, en raison du fosse
grandissant entre la rarete des moyens disponibles et
l'accroissement autant que la diversification des besoins
de formation a tous les niveaux.
Pourtant, et c'est la que reside le paradoxe, l'existence de possibilites immenses et sans precedent offertes par la conjonction des nouvelles technologies de l'information et de la communication (NTIC) devrait autoriser l'optimisme quant a l'avenir.
Pour illustrer son propos, l'auteur de cette communication s'appuie sur l'experience de l'EBAD de Dakar o depuis la fin des annees 80 les NTIC ont ete introduits dans les programmes de formation offerts par cet institut de l'Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, specialise dans la formation initiale et continue des specialistes de l'information documentaire.
Par ailleurs, en se fondant sur les enseignements de cette experience. il en arrive a la conclusion qu'au Senegal et, probablement, dans la plupart des pays d'Afrique subsaharienne la societe de l'information pourrait n'tre qu'un objectif lointain si des mesures adequates et une politique volontariste n'etaient prises par les autorites politiques de decision en vue de promouvoir le developpement des NTIC dans ces pays.
WHITE Wendy D.
TITLE: The role of the NRC in fostering international scientific networking
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
NRC
is convinced that developing countries need to become
engaged in the information age because, quite simply, they
cannot afford to be left behind. Information and
communication technologies, over the past few years, have
changed the way in which we work and communicate with each
other. The pieces of the global information highway that
are already in place, especially the Internet and other
e-mail networks, are causing fundamental societal,
economic, and political changes. NRC recognizes these
far-reaching changes in our world and has created a
development information program to focus on bringing
developing countries -- especially those in africa -- into
the information age. BOSTID's program focusses on three
inter-related and vital issues: access to the technology;
capacity-building; and the content or information available
on the networks (indigenous knowledge systems.)
BARAD Bob
TITLE: Electronic communications in Africa
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Of all the world's region, Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding
South Africa) has been the slowest to develop an electronic
networking capacity. This is often attributed to faulty
phone system, a lack of computer equipment and skills, and
overall resource scarcity. These are challenges, but they
are not the primary impediments. Phone lines are being
continuously improved, and while there are several
countries in which they pose a major problem, most existing
African telephone services are adequate for handling
dial-up modem-based electronic communications provided that
hardware and software is carefully selected and tuned for
optimum performance. The primary barriers to the formation
of self-sustaining internetworking communities in Africa
countries are typically institutional and training-related:
the critical elements of organization, leadership, and
technical know-how that permit any network to function,
whether electronic or non electronic.
MUSISI Charles
TITLE: Possibilities for connectivity in the Equatorial Belt of Africa
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Reviews the present situation particularly the uneven
connectivity in Africa between countries and the
developments during the last year or so which can be
characterized by increase of disparity between the three
regions North, South and the Equatorial Belt, and increase
in demand for undefined - and free - 'Internet'
connectivity. Tries to argue why action is necessary now
and reviews the different options for action such as a
better understanding of the role of CMCs in support to all
activities, a reliable and affordable CMC services must be
made available to users, governments should shift from
restrictive action to active promotion of CMCs, ESAs,
whether IGOs or NGOs, must ensure that their activities in
this field are coordinated and that their own realizations
in this respect can be durable after their own immediate
objectives have been reached. Concludes that it is
difficult to visualize what could accelerate a consensus on
the strategy to be adopted at regional level for countries
to catch up on CMC development.
CORKIN Steve
"African Teleway"
ABSTRACT:
The world is becoming a smaller place. Socio-economic
conditions are changing, mainly due to political
development across the globe. Company business practices
are changing rapidly and focus is paralleled between
technology and market driven forces - market driven forces
now being broken up to customer focussed issues.
Creation of NAFTA, EEC and asia-Pacific Rim free-trade policies created mass market exposure, leading to mass market demand; stronger individual purchasing powers; greater competition; new industry legislation; economic reform; deregulation to name but a few.
As with the recent years of development taking place in the S.E. Asia and Latin American quarters, Africa and its leaders have recognized the need to exploit their diplomatic and trade relations with other neighboring states, particularly within Africa, and rejuvenate intra-Africa commerce and industry. Already seen with the establishments such as SADC-SATCC; OAU; ECOWAS; SATA...etc
Africa's vast natural resources are strategic to world economic development. South Africa's recent political development and realigning with neighboring and sub-saharan relations will demand heavily on infrastructure in order to meet up with world demand and support Africa's mission as being part of the global business environment.
Through RSA's transition from apartheid to democracy, organizations are re-channeling their 'lifelines' as for the course in the RDP.....IMF; OAU; SADC; World Bank and IFC; European Investment Bank; USAID;UN.....etc...
Similarly, companies once bound by the anti-apartheid movement who either sold off company assets in the 80's or never did business in principle in South Africa, are re-establishing themselves here. Companies such as Rank Xerox, Kodak, Pepsico,; Ford,; Peugeot; Volvo; IBM; EDS; AT&T; Ericsson; LONRHO;....including others who are re-locating Africa HQ's from elsewhere to RSA.
Such criteria are setting the pace at which certain infrastructural issues must be met and in particular the positioning of utility services such as telecommunications.
Notwithstanding the above, RSA's own market is starting to take on a world trend and 'globalize' beyond its own borders - into world markets.....and into Africa.
This paper will deal the tremendous challenge which lies ahead of the RSA telecommunications market in being able to deliver beyond expectations which will be generated as a result of the above mentioned facts. In particular, the strategic positioning of TELEKOM amongst world markets and those in Africa in order to be able to deliver and facilitate needs from its public and private customer bases.....large and/or small.
The creation of an "African Teleway" is a visionary element of TELKOM's co-operative approach throughout Africa. In the least case, this would incapture and cause the development for an intelligent infrastructure with an even more intelligent overlay of networking and telecommunications applications. The need for restructuring of telematics services are part and parcel of the nations of Africa's evolutionary steps towards a more sophisticated and highly developed society.
The paper will deliver to the audience a demonstration of Telkom's commitment in understanding world economics and politics, particularly within Africa. Vitally important is the initiative to orchestrate major development for the benefit of uplifting industrial and commercial activity whilst also focussing on the development of rural community services firstly in RSA under the umbrella of the RDP and secondly by merely extending fundamental 'RDP' support beyond RSA borders.
TOUNKARA Therese
TITLE: Nouveaux services et supports a la SONATEL de la Telematique: Kiosque Videotex, Kiosque
Vocal et RNIS
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
La Sonatel, en tant qu'acteur important du developpement au
Senegal, a fait le choix de mettre en place de nouveaux
services et supports favorisant le developpement de la
telematique. Ces nouveaux services permettront a la
population de se familiariser avec la teleinformatique et a
la Sonatel de se preparer peu a peu aux mutations
importantes qui sont en train de se faire dans la monde des
telecommunications. (Exemple des autoroutes de
l'information). Vu le faible cot du minitel (par rapport a
un micro-ordinateur) et sa facilite d'emploi, la Sonatel
a fait, apres la mise en service dur reseau Senpac, le choix
d'encourager le developpement du videotex via ce reseau.
Le videotex est un ensemble de normes de codage permettant a partir d'un terminal de visualisation de type minitel de consulter des banques de donnees d'informations se trouvant sur un reseau qui est en general le RTC, le RNIS ou un reseau de paquet comme Senpac. La norme qui a ete choisie au Senegal est la CEPT2 alphamosaque (La mme norme est utilisee en France). Ainsi, deux points d'acces videotex ont ete mis en service en 1989. Ces points d'acces videotex sont relies d'une part au reseau telephonique, d'autre part au reseau de paquet aux normes X25 Senpac et permettent donc a partir d'un minitel branche sur le RTC d'avoir acces a des serveurs d'information raccordes en acces direct synchrone sur Senpac. Jusqu'en mai 1994, la SONATEL disposait de deux systemes de tarification au videotex: le systeme taxation au demande (no d'appel 3012) et le systeme taxation au demandeur (no d'appel 3014).
Dans le systeme taxation au demande, l'utilisateur taxe du point de vue telephonie et le serveur est taxe du point de vue Senpac (exemple les banques, lAupelf-Uref...) en fonction du volume d'informations echangees et de la duree des consultations. Dans le systeme taxation au demandeur, l'utilisateur est taxe et du point de vue telephonique et du point de vue Senpac. Le systeme taxation au demandeur est aussi utilise pour avoir acces au reseau Teletel franais (3615, 3616, 3619...) par le service MNET (minitelnet) qui necessite en dehors de l'abonnement NUI, des achats de credit de consultation dont une partie est reversee a France Intelmatique tous les bimestres.
La mise en place du systeme de tarification kiosque Videotex en mai 94 (commerciale Sept 94) a ete motivee par le fait que les systemes de tarification precedant ne permettent pas de renumerer les fournisseurs de service ce qui freine le developpement des serveurs Grands Publics. La tarification Kiosque Videotex integre a la fois les frais de communication sur le reseau Senpac et les frais de consultation des serveurs. Tous ces frais sont pris en compte par le compteur telephonique de l'utilisateur et la SONATEL reverse une partie de la somme collectee aux fournisseurs de Service.
Les fournisseurs s'affranchissent ainsi du recouvrement de leur clientele et l'utilisateur s'affranchit de l'abonnement a la SONATEL. De plus, les fournisseurs dont les serveurs sont uniquement dans le groupe kiosque ne s'acquittent aupres de la Sonatel que des frais d'abonnement modem, voies logiques et codes de services. Pour encourager la consultation et familiariser la population, la SONATEL a distribue gratuitement des minitels a ses Grands Comptes et aux Telecentres Prives.
Les informations consultables actuellement sur le Kiosque sont en resume: le PMU, informations touristiques, politiques et economiques sur le Senegal, enseignement, offres d'emploi en Afrique, recherche de villas, appartement et terrains, messagerie interactive et botes a lettres. Durant le premier bimestres suivant la mise en service commerciale (septembre/octobre), il y a eu 198 heures de connexions sur le Kiosque pour un volume d'informations echangees de 30 Mo et 2223 appels. Un seul palier de taxe est actuellement disponible (110 FCFA HTVA la mn, 160 FCFA a partir d'un telecentre). La creation d'autres paliers de taxe est envisageable si le matche le justifie. Le kiosque videotex, par son systeme de reversement, devrait donc permettre aux prestataires de service de fournir rapidement aux managers, aux entreprises et a la population des banques de donnees repondant a leur preoccupation. Dans la mme annee, des projets devant favoriser le developpement de la telematique sont en cours de test ou a l'etude pour une mise en service courant 1995: 1) le Kiosque Vocal qui viendra en complement du Kiosque Videotex, 2) l'annuaire electronique du Senegal raccorde sur le reseau Senpac et permettant a partir d'un minitel de trouver rapidement ses correspondants et de profiter des mises a jour plus frequentes que l'annuaire papier, 3) le reseau numeriques a integration de services (a l'etude) qui permettra la banalisation des raccordements, la banalisation du debit 64kits/s et le developpement du multimedia.
Les acces offerts sur ce reseau seront des acces de base devant interesser la cible PME/PMI et des acces primaires qui permettront de raccrocher les PABX des grandes entreprises. Ce reseau sera interconnecte aux reseaux existants et en particulier au reseau X25.
MBAYE Dame
TITLE: Strategie de developpement de la telematique au Senegal
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
C'est
vers le debut des annees 70 qu'ont commence a emerger
des besoins telematiques au Senegal avec la SITA, les
banques qui voulaient relier leurs agences a differents
sieges, les agences de presse etc...Les solutions qui leur
etaient proposees a l'epoque etaient exclusivement basees
sur les liaisons specialisees point a point et quelques
fois sur le Reseau Telephonique Commute.
L'utilisation des liaisons specialisees posait des difficultes liees a la qualite du reseau vieillissant de l'epoque, les derangements etaient nombreux et la qualite de transmission des donnees mediocre. Le Reseau Telephonique Commute presentait les inconvenients suivants: 1) vitesse faible limitees a 2400bps, 2) communications coteuses pour les appels longues distance, 3) taux d'erreurs eleves induits par les commutateurs electroniques.
Les telecommunications et l'informatique sont deux domaines dont l'evolution a marque la vie economique et sociale ces dernieres annees. Ce developpement parallele et fulgurant a amene le Conseil Interministeriel sur l'Informatique du 28 janvier, preside par le Ministre d'Etat, a emettre d'importantes recommandations qui, entre autres concernaient: 1) la mise en place d'un reseau specialise de communications de donnees apte a offrir aux entreprises un environnement plus favorables a leur epanouissement, 2) la mise sur pied a l'interieur de la Directions des Telecommunications de l'ex-office des Postes et Telecommunications d'une entite interlocutrice privilegiee des futurs utilisateurs et chargee de la mise en oeuvre de ce reseau.
C'est ainsi que des etudes de faisabilite, techniques et financieres ont abouti en 1988 a la mise en service du Reseau National de Transmissions de donnees Senpac dont l'objectif est de fournir un service de communications de donnees fiables (protocole X25) a moindres cots (taxation independante de la distance). Pour une capacite de 560 acces, le reseau est compose de quatre commutateurs de paquets dont les trois sont installes a Dakar et sa banlieue et le quatrieme dans la region de Thies situee a 70 kms de Dakar. Ces commutateurs sont supervises par un centre de gestion a base de DPS-6 pour l'exploitation, la surveillance du reseau, la taxation des communications, la collecte des statistiques et la maintenance des logiciels. Le reseau Senpac offre essentiellement trois types d'acces: 1) les acces directs c'est a dire par liaison specialisee avec des vitesses de transmission importantes: 2400 a 48000 bps pour des terminaux synchrones (adaptes a la norme X25), de 300 a 19200 bps pour des terminaux asynchrones. 2) les acces indirects c'est a dire par l'entreprise du Reseau Telephonique Commute. Ce genre d'acces offre des vitesses allant de 300 a 2400bps. 3) les acces videotex, la premiere offre en matiere videotex etait basee sur des entrees banalisees videopad, c'est a dire des acces PAD avec le profil 30.
Cette offre limitee en fonctionnalites videotex a ete etendue en 1989 par l'installation de points d'acces videotex (PAV) raccordes d'une part au RTC sur lequel sont raccordes les minitels et d'autre part sur le reseau Senpac sur lequel sont raccordes les serveurs videotex. Avec les pint d'acces videotex, nous avons mis en place trois types d'offres videotex: 1) entrees banalisees avec taxation au demande (numero d'appel 3012), 2) entrees banalisees avec taxation au demandeur (numero d'appel 3014), 3) entrees banalisees avec fonction kiosque (numero d'appel 3020).
Sur le plan national, la saturation des 340 acces installes initialement, a necessite une extension des 224 acces, realisee en janvier 1993. En sus le reseau s'est prolonge en mars 1994 dans trois autres regions par l'installation de points d'acces ayant chacun une capacite de 18 acces. Sur le plan international, le reseau Senpac est interconnecte a 111 reseaux situes en Afrique, Europe, Asie et Amerique. Parmi ces 111 reseaux, on compte 12 africains (Mali, Cte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger, Maroc, Togo, Tunisie, Egypte, Zimbabwe, Gabon, Djibouti et Cameroun).
L'interconnexion aux reseaux etrangers est assure par deux liaisons X75 (cbles sous marins et satellites) via le Noeud de Transit International (NTI) de Paris. au cours des deux premieres annees d'existence du reseau Senpac, de nombreuses actions ont ete deployees pour la mise en place de procedures de travail et l'elaboration de documents d'information destines a la clintele. C'est ainsi que les activites suivantes ont ete menees durant cette periode: 1) Mise en place des procedures regissant les relations de travail entre Senpac et les autres structures de l'entreprise a savoir traitement des demandes, raccordement, facturation, recouvrement; 2) realisation de divers documents techniques et commerciaux destines aux clients tels documents d'information et de vulgarisation, tarifs, documents de formation des utilisateurs du reseau senpac, STUR (Specifications techniques d'Utilisation du Reseau Senpac); 3) realisation d'un Plan Directeur du Developpement de la Teleinformatique; 4) securisation du reseau par un maillage progressif et par une diversification des supports de transmission qui relient les differents noeuds du reseau; 5) ouverture du service Minitelnet pour l'utilisation a travers Senpac des Services Teletel (3613, 3614, 1615 etc..)
ABDEL-BAKI Nashua
TITLE: Evolution, status and plans of Egyptian Universities Network (EUN) for cooperation
with regional networking bodies
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Egypt is connected to Internet since October 1993. It has
been connected to EARN/Bitnet (TERENA now) too since April
1989. FRCU Computer Center, at the Supreme Council of
Universities (SCU), is the main center and focal point of
the Egyptian Universities Network (EUN). It is also the
Egyptian gateway to Internet and Bitnet.
EUN, being the gateway to Internet and EARN, connects academic and research centers and institutes as well as other governmental and nongovernmental organizations. For the time being there are more than 40 leased lines to educational/academic /scientific, governmental, commercial and non-profitable organizations and sectors. Some of them are full Internet nodes but some are still mail-only nodes. They are connected through leased lines with speed ranges from 4.8 to 28.8 kbps while the international leased line 64kbps to Ebone in Paris. Dialup, SLIP and X.25 connections are also available at the focal point and some of the EUN sites. Plans for upgrading the network configuration will be briefly presented.
FRCU computer center, the EUN focal point, provides consultation and assistance for building university networks and establishing their Network Information Centers. This is in addition to organizing training courses, document preparation and other regular tasks of the computer center.
Egypt, being the main connection point between Asia and Africa, is also opened to all sectors and entities in the Middle East region and Africa. Some studies are going on these days to connect some of the Arab Universities in Jordan, Palestine and some in the Gulf area to Internet through EUN.
We are in the process of establishing a national academic training center for Internet services and administration. This center is planned to help with the whole region as well. One of its goals is to help with the information technology potential to build the National Information Infrastructure. This is in addition to discussing and analyzing many of the local and regional issues like information infrastructure problems in developing countries in arabization.
COOPER Patricia A.
TITLE: Telematics via satellite: the PANAMSAT perspective
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Reviews the basic use of satellites and indicates that the
less recognized roles of satellites is in education, health,
emergency services and environment. Analyzes the importance
of communication satellites technology which provides
ubiquitous coverage and a truly "instant infrastructure"
serving any and all points within the satellite's footprint
for universal service.
Studies the advances and innovations which have made satellite technology more available and accessible across the globe. Shows that increasingly high powered satellites allow the use of smaller, cheaper ground antennas and digital compression has increased the efficiency of satellites capacity.
Indicates that the challenge will be to tap the vast capabilities of satellite technology to meet the evolving needs of the health, education, agriculture and development sectors. Indicates also that in the United States, Peru, Mexico, Japan, Cambodia, Papua new Guinea, Fiji all existing projects within the education and health sectors rely on satellite communications.
The other critical challenge will be to establish and secure vehicles to finance capital investments and ongoing service fees. Part of this task will be to convince government budgeters that advanced technologies are not glitzy frivolities, but can increase cost efficiencies of education and health care, reaching more people with information, training and help.
Lastly examines the role that privately developed satellite systems can play in the development of telematics internationally. Shows that privately financed and owned satellites have added critically needed new capacity worldwide, driving service prices downward and encouraging the emergence of new niche services. These privately funded systems also offer access to a high quality infrastructure without requiring the users themselves to invest or risk their own capital. By 1996, PanAmSat Global Satellite System will be able to offer virtually instantaneous, state-of-the art communications and information service to 98 of the world's population.
KIVOUILA Lucien
TITLE: Le financement d'un reseau informatique dans un contexte de crise. Le monopole des
telecommunications et les structures tarifaires des cots de communication
ABSTRACT:
* - Problematique du financement d'un reseau dans un
contexte de crise. Il s'agit ici d'evoquer le probleme de
la sensibilisation des decideurs sur les grands atouts d'un
tel dispositif au sein des structures gerant le systeme
d'informations a caractere economique, demographique et
sociale. En effet, le manque d'informations a ce niveau,
constitue un frein sur l'attention financiere qui devrait
tre apportee a ce genre de projet, surtout dans la periode
d'austerite que traverse la plupart des pays africains. Ces
pays devraient en plus beneficier d'un appui soutenu de la
CEA lors du montage des projets. * - Les
monopoles de telecommunications et les structures
tarifaires des cots de communications. Il est question de
ressortir les differents aspects du monopole des
telecommunications et dans quels mesures les cots
tarifaires peuvent constitues un veritable frein au
developpement de la Telematique.
TSABEDZE S'Khumbuzo
TITLE: Library automation within environmental and internal systems constraints: case study of
Swaziland
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Reviews methods employed in systems investigation and
analysis in three information centres, namely an academic
library, National library and a private information centre
in Swaziland. The problems encountered in migrating from a
manual to an automated system are discussed and the
strategies adopted in harmonizing this process.
Aspects of 'skilled' human resource utilization in relation to technology are discussed. Highlights of the dilemma that face systems teams of organizational structure, economic constraints and technology (entry points) are discussed.
Limitations of systems support by telecommunications industry and systems developers/suppliers are highlighted with regard to the South African and Swaziland context.
NISHEMEZWE Jean-Marie Vianney
TITLE: Rle des administrations publiques des telecommunications dans le developpement de la
telematique: cas du Burundi
ABSTRACT:
Au Burundi, l'installation et l'exploitation des reseaux
publics sont a la charge de l'Office National des
Telecommunications (ONATEL) qui joue actuellement le rle
de l'Operateur Public en matiere des Telecommunications.
Dans le domaine de la telematique, plusieurs organisations
et institutions specialisees (Banques, assurances,
aeronautiques, etc...) ont toujours profite (moyennant
quelques frais), des lignes specialisees et circuits loues
mis a leur disposition par l'ONATEL. Constatant que la
demande est sans cesse croissante, rigoureuse et variee,
l'ONATEL vient de lancer l'installation d'un reseau public
de transmission de donnees a commutation par paquets qui
permettra de faire face aux defis actuels en matiere de ces
nouveaux services generes par le developpement de la
telematique. La telematique evoluant tres rapidement mais
requerant tres souvent des infrastructures de base assez
coteuses, le rle des administrations publiques des
telecommunications consiste donc a investir dans ces
equipements de base. Ainsi, des utilisateurs potentiels
peuvent y acceder a de moindres frais et jouir des
performances actuelles de la telematique sans consentir des
investissements onereux.
ODUSOTE Iyabo Abimbola
TITLE: Electronic networking: the Nigerian experience
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Networking in Nigeria has been plagued with a number of
problems ranging from lack of basic infrastructure to
financial and political problems. Experience to be shared
would permit discussion on how Nigeria and the operators of
the system can focus on appropriate technology for
telematics in order that development can ensue. The
discussion in the paper would highlight the present
experience, the plans for the future and the role of the
Nigerian government to date on the project. The RINAF
experience in Nigeria would be discussed as well as reports
of the activities of the Internet group. Efforts at
sensitizing the public would also be reported with a view
to exchange operators from other nations in a bid to gain
more experience.
ABIDA Nejib
TITLE: Networking in Tunisia
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
My contribution present information about the status of
building Tunisian academic network topology RNRT (Reseau
National de la Recherche et de la Technology) and the
status of the SDN (Sustainable Development Network) in
Tunisia. The presentation illustrates IRSIT (Regional
Institute for Informatics and Telecommunications) efforts
in mastering telecommunication and information technology,
his collaboration with the research ministry, the Tunisian
PTT and UNDP for setting up the RNRT and SDN.
ASOH Derek
TITLE: Implementing a sustainable development network: the case of cameroon
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Often
referred to as "Africa in miniature" because of its
vast, rich and diversed natural, socio-economic and
cultural resources, Cameroon, like many other African
countries has not been able to fully sharer of exchange
information resources with the rest of the world because of
excessive and high communication costs. This has
considerably slowed development efforts being carried out.
With the advent of Electronic Networking and Computer
Mediated Communication Systems (which has resulted in the
creation of the Global Information Park- Internet),
communication costs have been greatly reduced. It is for
this reason that individuals, institutions and nations all
over the world are struggling to get themselves connected
into the Internet through various electronic networks.
There has been no initiative at national level to start
electronic networks in Cameroon. This fact has been
realized by both individuals and international
organizations interested in ensuring that Cameroon, too,
takes advantage of the cheap means of communication
available through electronic networking and computer
mediated communication systems. Four organizations have so
far been involved. SateLife of Cambridge MA has extended
HealthNet, its worldwide network for health professionals,
to Cameroon. The United Nations Economic Commission for
Africa (UNECA) through its Capacity Building for Electronic
Communication in Africa (CABECA) initiative, which is part
of PADIS, has promoted the creation of CamFido. The
Sustainable Development Network Programme (SDNP) out of the
UNDP, New York, is involved in the creation of SDNs in many
countries including Cameroon. Finally, the "Reseau
Inter-tropical d'Ordinateurs" RIO" a project based in
France aims at providing internet connectivity in a number
of Francophone countries. The paper looks into the
networking activities currently being carried out in
Cameroon by these organizations. Examines obstacles and
makes suggestions to improve the situation. Concludes by
taking a look at the expectations for the 21st Century in
Cameroon, in the area of information technology.
GAUDET John J.
TITLE: AFRICALINK: a USAID effort to assist African telecommunication
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Activity: Communications and information Networking in
Africa/"AFRICALINK" (95 CUT-2; lead unit; ENV).
Theme: Cross-Cutting Analyses.
Question:
How can USAID help to establish a communication link among
US and Africa collaborators that will facilitate Africa
involvement in Africa Bureau Activities?
Why is this question important?: The Africa Bureau has long recognized the advantage of involving Africans in its activities and the need to exchange readily-available information with Africans. The communication link will also complement several existing analytical activities: agricultural research networks, endowments, SAATS and NESDA.
Research design; the following tasks, all involving a communication link, are addressed in this cross-unit activity:
** Mediated Bulletin Board or Off-line Listservers: Bulletin boards with mediating institution will provide access for those on the AFRICALINK network or INTERNET;
** Country Nodes: communication nodes will be established in countries using the following rough guide as to priorities: a) Niger, Senegal and Mali; b) SPAAR; c) ISA; d) NESDA; e) TRADENET; f) The Congo Basin (CARPE); and g) countries with INTERNET access; and
** In-Country Connectivity: Once communication node(s) have been established, individuals and institutions within countries will be linked, primarily by node operators within countries. SD/PSGE will pay for modems and other connectivity requirements. Advisors will develop training manuals and, where necessary, train trainers within countries to facilitate brad connectivity.
USAID's Information and Resources Management Office (IRM) will provide network management, including: updating connectivity to take advantage of changes in INTERNET access; maintaining a Washington-based network manager to ensure that country nodes are operational; providing advise on the in-country connectivity and will actively facilitating its polling would be the most advantageous form of connectivity.
Who is going to do it? IRM will be a major implementor with assistance from the Global Bureau (G/EG/PRECAP) and WRI through a cooperative agreement.
Activity Manager: An SD/PSGE team of representatives from all five technical units. The team will select a person to coordinate the activity (currently D. Dworkin, Env).
Expected outputs: USAID Missions, SD/PSGE units, and other organizations in USAID/W will become more integrated and will involve more Africans in the dissemination and grants and several new regional programs of the Africa Bureau will also benefit. The communication network will also help to close the loop among programs, collaborators, and USAID and other bilateral and multilateral donors.
JONES II Robert L.
TITLE: The role of telematics in the development of the International Library of
Congress
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
In my role as a key contributor to the Library of Congress
National Digital Library Project, I have been formulating
strategies by which the Library of Congress might be made
electronically accessible to African, African American, and
other institutions. As a result of this, and other
professional experience in the fields of audiovisual
production/distribution, information technology,
broadcasting and telecommunications. I have amassed a
wealth of information which would be passed along due to my
participation in this symposium. These resources are being
organized with the express intent of sharing electronic
databases by interconnecting all corners of the African
world to my continuing work to develop various "lanes" on
several emerging international information superhighways.
The global impact of the Library of Congress National
Digital Library Project will be swift and highly
interactive. It is, therefore vital that all peoples be
included in this, and other projects being developed by
organizations like Online Afrika which is planning
telecommunications, broadcasting, and distance learning
programs with the South African Ministry for Posts,
Telecommunications and Broadcasting. Project Online Afrika
will provide Africa with one of the first linkages to
various global information infrastructure projects that
will enhance development at all levels. At the symposium, I
will share detailed information about several electronic
projects emanating from the US and South Africa including
the following: OnLine Afrika Project, Library of Congress
and Radio Nederland Training Centre.
CHEVILLOT Herve
TITLE: Le developpement de l'Iternet/RIO au Cameroun
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Le developpement de l'Internet/RIO au Cameroun est tres
recent et repond a une attente de la communaute
scientifique et enseignante presente au Cameroun. En effet,
l'Universite de Yaounde I est equipee aujourd'hui d'un
important reseau local Ethernet a base de fibre optique,
hubs et paires torsadees. Ce reseau relie le Centre de
Calcul de la Faculte des Sciences aux laboratoires de
l'Ecole Nationale Superieur Polytechnique (ENSP) de
Yaounde. C'est dans ce contexte qu'une operation de
transfert technologique a ete menee entre l"ORSTOM et
l'ENSP dans le but de promouvoir les acces a l'Internet.
Le dispositif mis en place comprend une station de travail
UNIX portable, un modem sur ligne X25 (CAMPAC) pour les
acces a l'Internet et un modem en mode V22bis pour les
appels nationaux des differents organismes deja connectes
(15 sites). Les noeuds connectes au serveur RIO
"lets.ensp.cm" sont des micro-ordinateurs (AT et
Macinstosh) equipes d'un modem V22bis sur reseau
telephonique et des logiciels XRIO et Eudora sur UUPC. Les
services de l'Internet actuellement disponible sont le
E-mail, FTPMail et ListServ. Il est prevu dans n proche
avenir d'offrir les acces a tous les services avec la mise
en lace d'une liaison IP entre le Cameroun et l"Europe. Le
serveur RIO de l de Yaounde I est gere et
administre par deux ingenieurs de l'ENSP et par une cellule
de gestion qui regroupe differentes composantes de
l. Cette exemple de cooperation entre l'ORSTOM
et l de Yaounde I constitue dans le domaine de
la telematique au Cameroun, un premier pas vers la
constitution d'un futur reseau national de la Recherche et
de l'Education.
MWEEMBA Nora
TITLE: A survey of the status and future development of telematics services in Zambia
libraries and information centres
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Zambia still faces problems in the field of information and
communication which is evident by lack of flow of
information due to insufficient communication technologies.
A survey of selected libraries and information centres was
conducted to identify their initiatives in the
introduction, operation and use of telematic services and
networks. The focus was centered on their actual needs in
terms of telematic services, the available investment in
terms of equipment and infrastructure for operation, the
major constraints encountered in planning, developing and
operating the services and the potential for investment,
development and involvement into local and international
networks.
KARUMUNA Kaena Felix
TITLE: Training telecommunications technicians and engineers one of the methods of
transmitting data from a peripheral device to a microcomputer and vice versa
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
telecommunications technology background and experience of
most of technical staff in telecommunications
companies/administrations, especially in african countries,
are based on old telecommunications systems whose
technology is becoming obsolescent.
As we are all aware, dramatic changes in telecommunications technology and information services are taking place. New applications are now emerging as a result of integrated information technology with telecommunication network.
In view of the above, employers are therefore training their engineers/technicians to enable them cope with repair, operation, maintenance as well as acquisition of digitalized systems.
This paper starts by explaining very briefly how TTCL offers the following courses to its technical staff and non-ttcl staff course participants. Digital Techniques, Microprocessors, High Level Programming, Stored Program Control (SPC), pulse code Modulation (PCM) and digital equipment causes.
As regards to telematics services, the paper then introduces the following subject which is a sub-module taken from one of the module in the microprocessors course: Training on how a basic 8 bit microprocessor is interfaced to one of its support chips to enable an associated microcomputer transmit or receive data serially or in parallel to or from a peripheral device or a transmission line connected to the microcomputer.
KALJEE Marcel Maurice
TITLE: The contribution of off-line e-mail system to the reduction of the still growing
electronic information gap between developed and developing countries
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
While in developing countries the number of connections to
the electronic highway increased with thousands a day, most
developing countries do not have much of what could be
called public access at all. In the developed countries the
impact of information technology and the accessibility of
electronic information for economic development is becoming
more and more visible. new markets are found, new products
developed, new marketing realized. The industry is
overtaking the number or private connections rapidly. In
developing countries there is little knowledge of this
information revolution, let alone that there is much use of
this exploding technology. There are substantial
developments, sure, but the overall effect is that the
information gap is still growing fast.
It is not the lack of interest or the lack of technical background that makes the gap what it is now and what it will be tomorrow. The development in developed countries is so rapid that there is so far little economic interest in the developing countries markets where there is little to spend anyway.
There are ways to reduce this gap which can be implemented very fast and against relative low cost, compared to the facilities offered in an offline e-mail system. TOOLNET is one of the few non-commercial e-mail suppliers which offers low cost e-mail with large potentials.
LANDA Pascal hubert
TITLE: Technology, marketing and services of the Horn of Africa Regional Telematic
Network
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Presents the key strategic elements behind the RTNS network
concept, the technical options chosen for the network, and
the services the network will provide its users.
Challenging his audience to accompany his thinking on an
analysis of opportunities and potential failings of a
network system in the Horn of africa, he will provide the
keys to a vision of tomorrow 90s communication facilities
to be made available in the region.
COSTA Peter da
TITLE: Democratising communication: the experience of Inter Press Service (IPS) in Developing
telematics for Media in africa
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Since establishing itself in the Africa region in the mid
80's, IPS has striven as a key part of its mandate to
develop media telecommunications in the region. A number of
news agencies and other media organs initially benefitted
from IPS computerization projects (PANA, APS, ZIANA, NAN,
etc..), while IPS trained a significant number of media
technicians -- most of whom will enjoy IPS's technical
support today.
Demonstrated by the problems affecting communication in the region. IPS has always sought new ways of effecting speedy, user friendly and affordable reception and dissemination of its information products. It has also sought to democratize the availability of information that offers an alternative to the Northern-led news agenda by making it available to as wide a spread of constituencies as possible.
In the last 18 months IPS has pioneered the use of electronic and BBS systems for delivery and dissemination of its products. It has also through enhanced communications increased constituencies it considers key actors in the process of pluralism and sustainable development. IPS products are now disseminated in various languages worldwide, via the Association of Progressive Communications (APC) network, delivered directly using tailor-made software, and via other carrier-networks.
LANVIN Bruno
TITLE: Global information highways, trade and development: an African challenge
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
The
United Nations international
symposium on trade efficiency (held in Columbus, Ohio,
United States from 17 to 21 October 1994) officially
launched the Global Trade Point Network. The
interconnection on Trade Points constitutes the core
objective of the second phase of the Trade Point Programme.
Such interconnection will allow Trade Points and their
users (especially small and medium-sized enterprises) to
access competitive trade-related information services
worldwide, and to enhance the efficiency with which they
trade with each other. however, the current state of
telecommunications infrastructures in most developing
countries still prevents information networks. This is why,
within its Trade Point Programme, UNCTAD has started to
develop innovative alternate solutions to allow the
interconnection of Trade Points through the Internet, a
worldwide 'network of networks' that offers unparalleled
possibilities to exchange information at virtually no cost.
To benefit from this possibility, Trade points need 'last
mile connection' i.e. the local interface, software and
connectivity without which they will not have access to
emerging information highways. Providing for this 'last
mile' includes the creation of local servers and the
development of adapted information technology services and
interface. For the African continent, the challenge is
commensurate with the potential results.
WANBUI Mercy
Electronic Communication in Africa
ABSTRACT:
Electronic mail and conferencing is
decentralized, interactive, low-cost and can be adapted to
suit the needs of the users. Furthermore, even with the
poor telecommunications infrastructure, the affordable
technology can still be utilized in Africa. On the other
hand, electronic communication, being a horizontal form of
communication, does not confer status, making it a potential
tool to redress the prevalent NGOs and government tensions
in Africa.
The informal, inter-active nature of this technology makes it possible to include grassroots communities right up to the international level in dynamism dialogue and collaboration on desertification and other strategic issues. And where rural communities have the capacity to input into policy, there is also the possibility to access it.
Although electronic communication presents an opportunity to redress the problem, without supportive structures to ensure that local communities also access the available information in a timely fashion, it could result in creating similar disparities nationally and internationally as well. v I. As such, the use of electronic communication in Africa would vary from its use in the North. This is because although the technology is relatively cheaper when compared to other forms of telecommunications, the initial investment, training and maintenance costs are still relatively high. Even then the cost of communication is still a luxury for the average person.
II. Therefore, issue-based electronic networking and conferencing seems more practical in Africa as it provides the possibility to access the right information, at the right time, by the right people, at affordable rates. This type of networking also fosters solidarity between the different groups, which reinforces learning.
NDEBEKA Maxime
TITLE: Projet d'implantation d'un reseau de transmission de donnees en Republique du Congo
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
L'Office National des Postes et Telecommunications (ONPT) a
programme l'implantation d'un reseau teleinformatique
moderne et performant, adapte aux capacites techniques,
financieres et humaines du pays. Le
service de transmission de donnees en Republique du Congo
est tres peu developpe. Les liaisons specialisees louees a
des entreprises representent 1,02 du parc des de
telephones; mais elles procurent des recettes de l'ordre de
8,26 du CA global. Malgre la recession economique actuelle,
l'evolution de la demande potentielle globale demeure
forte, quoique hesitante. En consequence, la rentabilite
financiere et economique du projet parat assuree.
A la suite de l'evolution preliminaire de l'etat du reseau general, il apparat que l'implantation d'un reseau teleinformatique a 9600 bits est possible. Si toutefois les problemes de qualite et de fiabilite sont resolus.
L'ONPT reexamine les etudes. Les besoins des clients importants depasseront la capacite de 9600 bits permise par le Faisceau Hertzien analogique. "ONPT demarre la formation et al qualification du personnel. Et il envisage deja l'elaboration de sa politique teleinformatique.
ERNBERG Johan
TITLE: Towards a new paradigm for international cooperation -
Telematics and computer networks: tools for sustainable
development of rural and "remote" regions and countries?
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
The objective of this paper is to analyse the needs
for telecommunications and information technology (IT) in
developing countries, particularly in rural and remote
areas, to identify obstacles and to examine ways and means
of accelerating the development. It concludes that
developing countries need advanced telematics services now,
to enhance the efficiency of their public services,
particularly education and health care. The availability
of such service would also give their small and Medium
Enterprises the tools they need to compete in the global
economy and enable governments as well as academic and
Research Institutes to benefit from the wealth of on-line
information, education library resources and "knowledge
networks" already accessible through computer networks.
Rural telecommunications must start with the provision of
telephones, but this paper endeavors to demonstrate that
access to advanced telematics services would be of immense
add value. Besides giving rural community authorities,
entrepreneurs, schools and health care centres access to
the rapidly increasing wealth of on-line resources,
advanced telematics services would enable city-based
enterprises to establish "virtually offices for
"teleworkers" in remote areas. All of this will contribute
to reversing the emigration to large cities and to reducing
transport of people.
Moreover, such tools are required also in rural and remote areas, where the majority of the population lives, to support the emerging new paradigm for international cooperation for sustainable development, which relies more on the creation of global collaborative networks than on traditional technical assistance, limited in time and space. Rural and remote areas need such services that match those offered in the metropolis to compensate for geographical and cultural isolation. Only then would the global community fully benefit from the potential of telecommunications as tools for sustainable environment and for the development of the resources and potentially huge markets represented by the rural populations in the developing countries.
The distinction between "developing" and "developed" countries hides the fact that virtually all countries have similar problems of providing public services and job opportunities for impoverished, geographically and socially isolated groups, even though many developing countries as such, are essentially "rural and remote". Therefore, many of the telematics R & D programmes for balanced, regional development within industrialized countries may be relevant for rural, as well as for impoverished urban areas in developing countries. Moreover developing countries providing they have an adequate telecommunication infrastructure, could benefit, at marginal cost, from telematics products and resources, developed by such programmes.
In the near future, new technologies will make it possible to provide the general population, even in rural and remote areas, with access to advanced telecommunication networks and services at significantly less cost than today. However, lack of awareness of the benefits of advanced telematics services and lack of skills in their use are obvious obstacles that must be overcome. Prohibitively high tariffs and cost of equipment are other major obstacles to access to telematics services, These latter obstacles could be alleviated, if not removed, by adopting appropriate policies for tariffs, market access, etc. However, very few individuals in isolated areas can afford IT and advanced telematics services, even with subsidized tariffs. It is therefore concluded that such facilities and support must, at least initially be shared among the inhabitants of the community.
Community Telecentres or "electronic cottages", equipped with IT and telematics facilities and support shared by a community, have been introduced with some success in remote areas in industrialized countries and in a few developing countries. Community Telecentres are probably the most economic and realistic means of providing populations in rural and isolated areas in developing countries with such advanced services. This concept appears to be attractive to both governments and the private sector, which is a condition for the necessary investment to come forward. The feasibility of this concept in countries at different levels of development nevertheless still needs to be demonstrated in practice, Technology, tariff policy, and financing options as well as organization set up need to be tested and the impact of community Telecentres on community development needs to be evaluated to give national planners and suppliers of IT and telecommunication products and services a more solid basis for the development of rural telecommunication strategies.
However, Telecentres alone will not solve the problems of rural people in poor countries. Telecentres must be established as an integral part of community development projects, aiming at economic, social and cultural development of rural regions. This requires close cooperation across all government sectors and among concerned international and non governmental organizations as well as with telecommunication equipment and service providers.
MINGES Michael
TITLE: Towards an African Information Infrastructure
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Suggests that in some African countries, there is a
desire to participate in the emerging global information
infrastructure. But the reality is that Africa is so far
behind the rest of the world in conventional
telecommunication networks that information superhighway
may seem irrelevant. However, advanced communications
networks are as important to Africa for the same reasons
they are to other regions of the world: to be plugged into
the global information society, to attract foreign
investment and to provide innovative ways of delivering
health, education and government services. Africa has even
more of a reason than other regions to be concerned about
international connectivity. After Europe, it generates the
second highest international traffic per telephone line and
its PTOs are far more reliant on international traffic
revenues than other regions. The limited availability of
communication facilities in Africa may also be of
advantage, since, in the process of catching up with the
rest of the world, the continent has an opportunity to
install state-of-the-art information infrastructures.
SISSKIND Julie E.
TITLE: The African studies World-Wide Web
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Reviews the historical background of the African
Studies World-Wide Web which began in 1993. Presents the
high quality information about Africa which is provided by
the African studies WWW and that can be used to enhance
curriculum development, academic collaboration, and
community awareness. Analyses statistically the type of
information requested and the origin of the users. Presents
at last a sampling of current and future direction of the
African Studies WWW which promotes interdisciplinary
instruction and research in African languages and area
studies by undertaking projects that relate to information
technology with Africa studies.
KYARIE James K.
TITLE: Telematics, which way for Kenya?
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Application of telematics poses very many
opportunities especially with the availability of powerful
computers at reduced cost and also broad based
communication media, with great versatility in switching
applications. Most of the benefits of telematics result
from the capacity of data acquisition from diverse sources
at reduced prices and having computers that are powerful
enough to process the data into information that is useful
in the human endeavor to improve life. Capability to
process data and interpret the results is central to the
realization of benefits. For the Kenyan situation, areas
where telematics can deliver advantage includes retail and
wholesale trade, education, tourism, general business
management, geographical information systems and
entertainment; among others major constraints to achieving
the benefits includes lack of material and intellectual
resources, insensitivity of the decision making machinery
and lack of user knowledge and understanding. There is
bidding use of telematics in the Kenyan socio-economic
system. In order for the use of telematics to grow and
prosper, limited resources should be used very carefully in
order to yield the highest return.
GRANT Gerry G.
TITLE: Developing organizational capability in electronic networking:
the case of GOVERNET
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
It is generally agreed that telematics is an
important factor in the development process and that people
in developing countries need to get access to
telecommunication networks in order to benefit from the
agencies that have initiated information networking
projects in Africa. Some have focused on infrastructure
building (RINAF, CABECA, RIO) others on information
provision (PADIS, HealthNet), and still others have focused
on professional collaboration and information sharing
(GOVERNET, ARSONET, NGONet).
While some of these projects have achieved a measure of success, it is quite clear that their impact on improving inter-organizational communication have been marginal. Most telematic implementation still operate on the periphery of local organisations. They have not penetrated existing communication and information infrastructures and processes. It is also equally clear that most organisations have not developed the capacity to implement, manage and sustain telematic applications. The reasons for this low impact and deficient capability are varied and relate to issues ranging from infrastructure to technology to individual user concerns.
This paper will argue that increasing the positive impact of telematic implementations requires a holistic understanding of the issues that promote or constrain successful IT-based information systems in a developing country context. Using the case of the GOVERNET (a COMNET-IT project), and a framework for IS capability building, it will illustrate the challenges faced in trying to implement electronic networking projects in Africa and propose remedial steps to be taken to overcome these challenges.
DAY Bob
TITLE: The information society and development: closing the gaps.
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
The expanding, all pervasive role of information
equates to personal and economic empowerment. Yet the gap
between the information "haves" and "have-nots" is growing.
This gap must close for the developing world to compete
effectively in the global market - a prerequisite for the
general improvement of the quality of life.
Usually, developing community needs for housing, water, jobs, health, and education. Information is essential to planning and executing an effective and sustainable development programme, yet this is rarely perceived within the communities in question. Hence, governments in developing countries must stimulate the development of their information societies until they become self sustaining. South Africa faces the same challenges as other developing nations, yet is uniquely positioned to address them, e.g. the spirit of dialogue and consensus building; the well developed electronics and technology sector; the established capacity for managing large scale, complex projects. The new government's strong commitment to an information society is highlighted by the development of a national information policy and the proposed national information management system to support the reconstruction and development programme, to promote more transparent government and to facilitate community involvement in the development process. These initiatives could and should benefit the whole of Africa.
UNUTH Robin Tahendaranat
TITLE: (I) Telematics strategy for Africa - The case of Mauritius.
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
ABSTRACT OF FIRST PAPER: There is little
understanding of the success factors of
telematics/information technology (IT) in developing
countries. Poor infrastructure, limited foreign exchange,
lack of skilled personnel and little or no management
commitment are believed to be some of the key factors that
limit the proper use of IT. There is a strong belief that
telematics can help in bridging the gap between the poor
and rich nations by making the former. However,
introduction of such technology in developing countries
should be a carefully planned exercise otherwise no value
for money will be obtained for all scarce resources
committed to this process. The paper attempts to come up
with the key factors that influence the implementation and
proper use of telematics in developing countries by taking
Mauritius as a case study. The present telematics process
of Mauritius is examined and the problems encountered are
analysed. Steps taken by the Mauritian government to solve
the most urgent problems are then enumerated. Finally, an
attempt is made to identify the key success factors for
effective use of telematics in developing countries.
(II) Critical success factors for EDI implementation in the African region
ABSTRACT OF SECOND PAPER:
The delay
in the trade process in Mauritius has been identified as
one of the major constraints which prevents the country
from moving towards an information based economy. Moreover,
the country projects itself to become a regional hub in
this area of the Indian Ocean. This has led the Government
of Mauritius to look into ways of improving the trade
procedures in the country.
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is seen by Mauritian government as one of the means of gaining a competitive edge. It is a technology which gives organisations an opportunity to exchange structured data electronically instead of paper documents and leads to a new way of business -- electronic trading.
EDI has been implemented in developing countries such as Slovenia. However, developing countries do not necessarily share the same problems nor do they operate in the same environment e.g. Slovenia is nearer to a potential customer like Europe than the African countries. The paper looks at the problems faced in EDI implementation at national level by taking Mauritius as a case study and attempts to come up with the critical success factors for EDI implementation at national level in the developing world.
AKHTAR Shahid
TITLE: Does the highway go South? Southern perspectives on the
information highway
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
In the first section, the paper attempts to define
the term "information highway". Indicates the role that new
information and communication technology play in
reinforcing cultural autonomy, improving economic
efficiency, facilitating social interactions within
Southern countries and between North and South and in
fostering increased collective action for a sustainable
future. Indicates also that while southern countries need
to commit greater levels of resources towards the
development of their information and communication
infrastructures, countries of the North need to increase
technical and other resources in support of this effort.
The second part provides and overview of the issues and ideas encompassed by the three themes which formed the basis of the Tampered agenda: - Issues of participation and governance - Education and learning - The world of work
Participants from countries of the South raised many issues, questioned Northern assumption, and offered their own prescriptions for the implementation of the information highway south. The third part summarizes the highlights of the discussions and briefly reviews some of the solutions offered.
In the last section presents the conclusion of the Tampere Symposium which is that "Information is people - highways are technology infrastructure" and indicates that the conclusion reflected the frequently expressed concern that ultimately the real issues are those that deal with content and values, not technology.
BLOCH Laurent
TITLE: L'Institut Pasteur et les reseaux africains
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
L'Institut Pasteur, a french research centre in
biology, is working with 22 associate institutes worldwide,
among them 8 are located in Africa. The growth of
scientific collaborations and of related information
exchanges cannot be achieved without Internet access, while
the institutes are often located in countries where network
infrastructures are still in their beginning. A survey of
solutions available for Internet access is followed by
realization prospects.
DJAMEN Jean-Yves
TITLE: Networking in Africa; an unavoidable evolution towards the
Internet
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
The Internet is an indispensable tool that African
countries may utilize for: (1) regional integration, (2)
participation in world activities, and (3) a complete
mastery of their development. This paper proposes a
scenario for the evolution of the infrastructure of data
transmission available in some African countries through
Internet. The study includes the following countries:
Burkina faso, Cameroon, Chad, gabon, Ivory Coast, Niger,
Senegal and Togo.
GUIDON Jacques
TITLE: Les reseaux telematiques africains
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Computer environments used up till now in education
and training contexts are most often reduced to a closed
configuration, where all software and information is
grouped as a whole locally and where the contribution of
computer science becomes of secondary importance. However,
hardware and software technologies today are well suited to
experimentations and innovative utilization within the
various approaches in education. The client-server and
network approaches in particular, as well as other new
software environments, revolutionize the educational
process, by opening a whole new dimension in methods of
support for courses, a new relationship between instructor
and student, new instructional methods, and a first step
towards virtual classrooms. In this article, we propose a
client-server architecture for an experimental computer
environment, as an approach to a virtual classroom. The
outcome seems to be that the evolution and the improvement
of this architecture remains intimately linked to
technological advances anticipated in the areas of hardware
platforms, interface software integration, data transfer
rates, and the methods used for producing teaching
supports.
DOKOUE Kossivi
TITLE: Contribution de l'OPTT au Colloque Regional Africain sur la
Telematique au Service du Developpement
ABSTRACT/RESUME:
Presente l'historique du reseau de donnees et
telematique au Togo avec accent sur le reseau de
transmission de donnees X25. Decrit la configuration qui
est axe autour de deux villes du pays: Lome et Kara. Les
differents types d'acces sont examines a savoir: le
videotex, les acces PAD, les acces X32 et les acces X en
liaison specialisee. Examine aussi le parc des abonnes aux
services de transmission de donnees par paquets, et
l'evolution observee sur le trafic d'une periode a l'autre
aussi bien en terme de nombre d'appels que de volume de
donnees transmises. En annexe presente une topologie de
reseau de donnees X25 au Togo, l'observation du trafic, et
les couples DNIC-Numeros de reseaux appeles.
Previous Menu | Home Page | What's New | Search | Country Specific |