DOT-COMments Issue VI: Spring 2004
AFRICA
Harmonization of E-Commerce Legal Framework for Southern Africa: dot-GOV
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the USAID-funded dot-GOV Southern African ICT and Policy Reform Support ("SIPRS") Project are collaborating to harmonize the legal framework for Electronic Commerce. Working closely with the Southern African Transport Communications Commission Technical Unit, SIPRS is helping the Southern African countries address core e-commerce issues, such as cyber crime, intellectual property rights, and privacy concerns. - Full Story at dot-com-alliance.org/newsletter/SIPRS3.html [read full article]
NetTel@Africa Offers Online ICT Policy and Regulation Courses: dot-GOV
NetTel@Africa has launched its first offering of eLearning courses for a postgraduate diploma and Masters programme in ICT Policy and Regulation in March 2004.
The first set of courses are: Macro Environment and Telecommunications (led by Mr Toks Oyedemi, University of Fort Hare); ICT Technologies (led by Dr Joseph Chuma, University of Botswana); Financial Management (led by Dr Marcellina Chijoriga, University of Dar es Salaam); ICT Industry and Markets (led by Mr Alec Malichi, University of Zambia); and Approaches to Regulation (led by Ms Marcia Wilson, University of South Africa). - Full Story at dot-com-alliance.org/newsletter/nettel6.html [read full article]
Enhancing Democratization in Rwanda through New Voter Registration Cards: dot-ORG
On January 27, 2004, dot-ORG delivered 4.1 million fraud-resistant voter registration cards, funded by USAID/Rwanda to the National Electoral Commission of Rwanda. These voter cards have preprinted names and voter ID numbers for all 3.9 million Rwandan voters for use in upcoming elections. The creation and delivery of these cards is just one aspect of USAID/Rwanda's contributions to the democratization process in Rwanda using information and communications technologies (ICTs). - Full Story at dot-com-alliance.org/newsletter/rwanda7.html [read full article]
Using Cell Phones in Uganda for Rural Income Generation and More: dot-ORG
In a small village in Uganda, the entire community gathers every night at a local shop with a Village Phone. They bring their FM radios and together the community listens to national call-in radio shows. They use their cell phone sponsored by the Village Phone Uganda (VPU) Project to call in to the radio shows and voice their opinions to the rest of the country. Under the VPU Project, Grameen Foundation USA has teamed up with MTN Uganda to extend cell phone coverage throughout rural Uganda. dot-ORG is working with Grameen on strategic planning, training and monitoring and evaluation of the program. - Full Story at dot-com-alliance.org/newsletter/grameen.html [read full article]
Protecting the Rights of African Telecommunications Consumers: dot-GOV
At the end of 2003, the Telecommunications Regulators of Southern Africa (TRASA) launched the final phase of their two-year effort to establish regional consumer protection guidelines for the African telecommunications sector. Through the support of dot-GOV, under the USAID/Regional Center for Southern Africa (RCSA) funded Southern African Development Community (SADC) ICT Policy and Regulatory Support Program (SIPRS) project, TRASA is developing an African Consumer's Bill of Rights to help protect African consumers.
- Full Story at dot-com-alliance.org/newsletter/SIPRS2.html [read full article]
Online Professional Development Changing Education Perceptions and Practices in Namibia: dot-EDU
Through the USAID/Namibia-funded Initiative for Namibian Education Technology (iNET), dot-EDU is providing professional development to Namibian teachers using online education. Through access to the web-based Teaching to Standards with New Technologies (TSNT) course and asynchronous communication with instructors and peers, Namibian teachers in the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED) are learning how to use technology to improve their education abilities. - Full Story at dot-com-alliance.org/newsletter/namibia3.html [read full article]
Universal/Rural Access Moves Forward in Nigeria: dot-GOV
Nigerians are plagued by lack of access to affordable telephones, especially in rural areas. To resolve this problem, dot-GOV, through the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA), is helping support policy development and implementation of a regulatory framework for private sector-driven telecommunications systems in rural and underserved areas. - Full Story at dot-com-alliance.org/newsletter/nigeria.html [read full article]
Primary Teacher-Training gets Connect-ED in Uganda: dot-EDU
Through the Connectivity for Educator Development (Connect-ED) project, USAID/Uganda is supporting the reform and expansion of the primary teacher-training program by providing computer access and training at eight core primary teacher colleges throughout Uganda. - Full Story at dot-com-alliance.org/newsletter/uganda2.html [read full article]
"Halls of Knowledge" Open to Communities in Three Malian Cities: dot-ORG
May 5th - 7th, 2004 saw the official inaugurations of three new Community Learning and Information Centers (CLICs) in Bougouni, Kadiolo and Segou, Mali. These three centers are part of a USAID/Mali funded initiative to open 13 public access telecenters across Mali. These CLICs are intended to be vital resources for the community to gain access to information and communication tools. Each CLIC is hosted by a local organization, selected based on their capacity to be available to the entire community without discrimination, and also their ability to effectively manage the CLIC. - Full Story at dot-com-alliance.org/newsletter/mali4.html [read full article]
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