Khalid S. Rabayah, PhD ICT4D research and Study Center Arab American University- Jenin West Bank

1. Khalid S. Rabayah, PhD ICT4D research and Study Center Arab American University- Jenin West Bank

2. 08/30/07 2 Outline Background Palestinian IT environment Categories of IT projects Government IT projects Non-Government initiatives Lessons learned

3. 08/30/07 3 Background

4. 08/30/07 4 Palestinian IT environment

5. 08/30/07 5 The Theme Questions to deal with How successful are the IT projects of the PNA How successful the IT projects of the NGO sector Can the NGOs replace the National Authority to lead the sector Isn't it risky to rely fully on the NGOs (with 100% foreign funding)? Can a sector succeed without a champion Can the ICT make it without a leading body

6. 08/30/07 6 NGO in Palestine There are more than 2000 functioning NGOs NGOs provided most services before the establishment of PNA 60% of the primary health services, 30 % of the hospital care services, 100% of daycare, 100% of disability services, nearly 100% of all agricultural training and services 30% of educational services PNA has no financial stability while the NGOs are backed by the donors Continuous struggle between NGOs and PNA hinders socio-economic development Large spectrum of activities and motivations for NGOs Totally dependent on foreign aids (mostly with political agendas) NGOs revised their strategies and redefine their role after the establishment of the PNA

7. 08/30/07 7 Palestinian IT environment �

8. 08/30/07 8 The Palestinian Development Stageoutcome of recent survey Occupation of Land, water, air, and spectrum Stability is missing (ups and downs)? No (physical) Access to outside world Restrictions on movement within territories Public sector plays either minor or negative role Brain drain: more Palestinian IT experts in the Gulf than in Palestine Intellectual properties concern Wide gap between market needs and graduates capabilities: lack of appropriate training programs The negative role of DONERS: donations are politically provoked Lack of Championship: government overwhelmed by political agenda Monopolistic policies: waiting for the government move Very strong NGO community (states within a state)

9. 08/30/07 9 ICT initiatives in the last 10 years Government Sponsored NGO Sponsored

10. 08/30/07 10 The ICT national strategy & regulatory body ICT strategy Launched in 2003, involved all stakeholders (Government, private sector, NGOs, universities, ..)? Drafted and approved in 2005, with a strategic goals, action plan, and indicators to measure progress Public institutions governing the sector are weak to take over and to achieve goals New Telecom Law & regulatory body ground rules for an open, competitive environment. legislation to establish an effective and accountable regulatory body that ensures the rule of law is respected The new telecom law was passed in the transition between the Hamas Government and the preceded one The modern telecom law was brought to square one when the new government took over.

11. 08/30/07 11 E-government Initiative Stage one required government bodies to improve their presence on the web Championed by the ministry of telecom and IT Stage two requires ministries and government bodies to launch online services In 2002 Israeli military invasion destroyed the communication infrastructure of the PNA, Ministries differ in their penetration of IT depending on whether a foreign donor is backing its IT initiative This has resulted in loss of confidence among many officials of the ICT solution in management of government affairs Lack of legal infrastructure to authorize electronic services

12. 08/30/07 12 Government Computer center - GCC Launched to be the main IT service provider to the government bodies within the PNA Manage the government network and maintain their web pages Many ministries disconnect from the GCC, connect directly to the Internet and build their own IT infrastructure Has transformed into a training center 65% of voters believe that GCC has failed to offer good quality service

13. 08/30/07 13 Palestine Educational Initiative: PEI, www.pei.ps Launched in May 2005, by the PNA (MTIT & MoE)? Meant to assist the MoEHE to ICT into the educational system Encourage innovative teaching models and effective use of ICT in teaching Emphasize student-centered learning Strengthen ties between education and Business communities Encourage public/private partnership

14. 08/30/07 14 National Institute of Information Technology Established in 2001, by PECDAR, as semi government institution Launched to fill the gap for the increased need for IT professionals Adopt professional certification of leading IT firms Microsoft, CISCO, Oracle, Sun Microsystems, � criticized by the private sector as a competitor in the IT training business Job creation and rehabilitate the uprising injured (more than 1000) in IT certification

15. 08/30/07 15 Training statistics

16. 08/30/07 16 Palestinian Information and Communication Technology Incubator www.picti.ps Launched in end of 2004, as an independent organization Sponsored by Palestine Information Technology Association � PITA Offer professional business services to Palestinian entrepreneurs who have mature concepts for unique and innovative ICT products with strong market potential Up till now received 117 applications, 12 of them were passed the pre incubation stage, 4 are running successful businesses. Very tough start, entrepreneurship culture is lacking in educational system most of the ICT are software and services (intangibles vs. tangibles), which makes it harder for people to value and appreciate. It makes it harder for companies to market their products Suffers from shift in aids towards humanitarian urgent needs on expense of long tern development plans.

17. 08/30/07 17 EUMEDConnect : Palestinian Association for the Development of Internet2 www.padi2.ps The EUMEDCONNECT network serves the research and education communities of the Mediterranean region, and is linked to the pan-European G�ANT network PA universities started to be connected on 2005 5 universities are connected out of 12 Initial capacity will be 45 Mbps The future of the project is not clear due to dispute between the consortium and Paltel the sole incumbent in Palestine

18. 08/30/07 18 ICT centers of Excellencies: Sponsored by ANERA Launched in 1999 Promoting growth in the Palestinian ICT industry Providing high-quality new jobs Training in software programming such as Java, Oracle, Cisco and MCSD, as well as web development and networking solutions. Support for local businesses with IT services and continuing education classes. New local and regional business opportunities for students finishing their degrees or certificates. Structured professional training necessary to develop and expand the capabilities and talents needed to become highly-trained IT professionals. Bridging the gender gap in the IT sector by providing training and skills for women.

19. 08/30/07 19 3,000 men and women have graduated or been certified in the program. 200 students completed international exams. 500 students are in their senior year of the BSc Studies in Computer Science and/or Information Technology. Of those graduating and/or certified, 80 percentage are employed. Training will be oriented towards business needs two semester course in basic business fundamentals for IT, engineering and other students will be launched with hosting univ. ICT centers of Excellencies: Sponsored by ANERA

20. 08/30/07 20 Lesson learned Despite of ups and Downs and minor government role, progress has continued, (ICT indicators continue rising)? Government failed to lead the sector, but in some areas others filled the gap NGOs played major role is increasing capacity, and awareness Private sector lobbies to open market, defended the sector interest Importance of people centered development politically motivated initiatives strongly affected the ICT environment ICT in some scenarios provided the only solutions the demand driven are the most successful