ROLE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS Sofyan Al Khalaileh Head of Business Incubators - Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center

Bringing men together “Transport of the mails, transport of the human voice, transport of flickering pictures - in this century as in others, our highest accomplishments - still have the single aim of bringing men together.” [Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, French aviator and writer (1900 - 1944)]

Technological innovation Technological innovation is essential for human development. From the printing press to the computer, people have devised tools for facilitating learning and communication. Technology is not inherently good or bad, the outcome depends on how it is used.

Information and communications technology (ICT) involves innovations in: microelectronics, computing (hardware and software), telecom-munications and opto-electronics micro-processors, semiconductors, fibre optics. These innovations enable processing and storage of enormous amounts of information, plus rapid distribution of information through communication networks.

The ICT domain

The role of ICT Information and communication technology is a basic infrastructure necessary for economic and social development of a country. This is even more so as information related economic activities are growing. Information and communication technology support the central nervous system of complex societies, transmitting and processing information and commands among the various parts of such societies. Internet plays a fundamental function in ICT role

Rapid evolution of ICT Predictions indicate: doubling of computing power every 18 –24 months doubling of communications power every 6 months huge reductions in costs massive increases in speed and quantity. In 2001 more information was sent over a single cable in a second than in 1997 was sent over the entire Internet in a month.

The digital divide Uneven distribution of Internet users in the world. Limitations in developing countries are due to: outdated public telephone network arbitrary high cost of the services. To beat the problem: Solutions based on the most advanced techniques with accessible costs. Radio technology represents in many cases the solution.

The Internet users distribution

ICT and collaborative research and innovation Research and innovation is increasingly collaborative between institutions and countries thank to ICT. From 1995 –97, scientists in the United States coauthored articles with scientists from 173 other countries; scientists in Brazil with 114, in Kenya with 81, in Algeria 59

The action at the Centre To contribute to the expansion of ICT in developing countries the Abdus Salam ICTP : Carried out Intensive Training Activities for scientists from developing countries Established a Programme of Training and System Development on Networking and Radiocommunications with the collaboration of the United Nations University. Both radio technology and computer networking have been used to facilitate the access of ICT to academic institutions in developing countries.

Why radio technology? Radio represents a powerful tool to leap-frog the communication technology gap between developed and developing world.

Other activities Since 2000 the group has been involved in Training Activities and Technical Assistance in the use of radio for computer networking in Benin, Peru, Sudan and Venezuela. The group created also the S&T Collaborium Initiative.

Strategic Business Planning for Commercial Producers Sofyan Al Khalaileh Head of Business Incubators - Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center s.khalaialeh@ju.edu.jo © Purdue University, Center for Food and Agricultural Business, 2002