Development of ICT in Rural areas Er. Binod Dhakal Secretary Computer Association of Nepal (CAN)

Why Telecenter at Rural Areas? Areas that Rural Telecenter will focus Issues Benefits of the Rural Telecenter Role of Private sector for Telecenter Role of CAN

Why Telecenter at Rural Areas? In these areas poverty is most widespread and deplorable Internet or in a broader sense ICT has not been on the priority list of the people there Never sat down to a computer before Primarily due to the lack of awareness and education To bridge the digital divide

Areas that Rural Telecenter will focus Distance Learning Tele Medicine Agricultural Information Productive Economic Activities Environment Protection

Other areas… Phone/Fax Services Computer education to the community school Development of contents on local language i.e Nepali Photocopy scanning

Issues Connectivity Problem Care & Management Electricity Problem Lack of trained IT Manpower Lack of contents in local language (Nepali) Lack of Multi media CD’s targeting for e- community centers Poor co-ordination in user community Lack of awareness in ICT

Benefits of the Rural Telecenter people of the rural areas to know what internet is what they can bring in terms of opportunities and information act as a vehicle for delivering other development activities like Agricultural Information Distance Education Tele Medicine Environmental Protection Natural Disaster Mitigation Productive Economic Activities Employment opportunities Higher education information and many more.

Role of Private sector for Telecenter Infrastructure Government should create conducive environment to encourage private sector investment in rural areas (the favorable policy should be there for the investment) -ISPS Training Institute for ICT can be conducted in rural areas. (both hardware and software)

Role of CAN Awareness is the major factor that governs the telecenter. Computer Association of Nepal(CAN) can coordinate with the local Media to create awareness regarding ICT and Telecenter. CAN can play a significant role to bridge the private sector to work on rural areas. To help the govt. for implementation of E- government project.

Development made in ICT sector in rural areas Many telecenter being opened by different organisation, but till now there is no clear database regarding this. ICT conference is being organized by CAN in different parts of Nepal for the awareness of ICT Mobile Computer education for rural areas is being planned by CAN in very near future with the co-ordination with its chapter organisation. And many others

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