True collaborative effort in ICT sector vital - ICTA CEO

ICTA Chief Executive Officer Reshan Dewapura recently called for a true collaborative effort in ICT saying it was vital for achieving the goals set out  in the ‘Mahinda Chinthana – Vision for the Future’.

Delivering his address on the theme “Exploiting ICT Trends for Collaborative Development” at the 29th National ICT Conference hosted by the Computer Society of Sri Lanka, Dewapura emphasised the importance of ‘Knowledge Hub” among the hubs mentioned in the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ policy statement.

He said it would probably be the corner stone or the primus inter pares: “Sri Lanka is looking to transform itself to a dynamic global hub in the region. Becoming a ‘Knowledge Hub’, is one of five key areas that are being pursued. In all probability, it will be the corner stone of this transformation exercise of our country to a hub status. We are all aware, that Information and Communication Technology will be a key contributor to this activity. In this context growing into a highly developed, highly mature, world-class ICT sector, is vitally imperative”.

Stressing the need for adaptation  when exploiting the new ICT trends Dewapura said:

“While we use the new ICT Trends, we should also adapt ourselves to them to maximise the potential of ICT, for the greater good of our people; to use ICT as a tool for socio-economic development: To take the benefits / the dividends of ICT to every citizen in every village”.

Explaining how the exploiting of the new ICT trends should be carried out the ICTA CEO said that this adaption should not be done haphazardly but in a collaborative manner.

It should also be done in a cohesive, as well as in an inclusive way: “Collaboration is a key word that we need to lay great emphasis on here. By ensuring a true collaborative effort, we can make certain to avoid pitfalls, such as, development in isolation which, does not fit into the bigger picture, and also duplication of effort, which can result in a huge waste of time and resources. It is only then that we can maximise on the synergies, which tools such as ICT can generate.  

Pointing out the importance of maintaining standards for achieving true collaboration Dewapura said: “Collaboration, in terms of implementing ICT Development projects, can also be achieved greatly by the firm adherence to standards and guidelines. The required environment, especially for government, in the form of hard and soft infrastructure platforms, has now been established country-wide; enabling the government process transformation exercise, as well as the rapid process automation and implementation activity.

“The policies, standards and guidelines and the interoperability frameworks that go hand in hand with this, have also been put in place. Strict adherence to these, and the usage of these common facilities and platforms, will lead us to true collaboration, and lead the way in revolutionising, especially how the government works”.  

Underscoring the privilege every citizen now has, to be part and parcel of this journey as planned, Dewapura said: “To reach our goals, and continue with the successful momentum generated thus far in the ICT sector, a clear plan for ICT Development for the next five years has now been finalised. The need to make every citizen a part and parcel of this transformation is clearly understood, and has been factored into the plan” . Underlining ICTA’s commitment in this effort including exploiting ICT Trends for Collaborative Development Dewapura concluded: “As in the past and the present, the Government and the ICT Agency will be fully committed to successfully implementing this plan to achieve these future targets and goals”.