Afghanistan Assessment October 2007 IJMA3

2 Introduction: Current Situation in Afghanistan

3 Statistics Population: 31,889, % of the population < 15 years old Population density: 46/km² th in the world 70% of the population live outside of urban areas Literacy: 28.1 of the population Income Per Capita: $335 ICT 2.5 Million own a mobile phone: 8% of the population 250,000 landline phones: Less than 1% of the population Increase from 30,000(2005) to 535,000(2007) Internet usage: 1-2% of the population Cost for 1 hour of internet use: $1

4 IJMA3’s Objectives for the Assessment: Identify training locations Identify local organizations Identify local individuals Identify local training providers Identify comparable donor funded programs Identify publicity channels Identify similar local organizations Understand impediments to business Understand youth attitudes toward IT Understand youth career tracks Understand youth job preparation practices Assess market IT readiness Understand skills deficiencies in the labour force Emphasize opportunities in agri-business

5 Summary of Methodology Employed for the Assessment Locations: Kabul, Kandahar, and Laskar Gah IJMA3 worked with Afghan nationals to help conduct surveys and provide translation, Mercy Corps (MC), and the Afghan Computer Science Association (ACSA) 1.Members of various ministries of the Government of Afghanistan 2.Secondary school students 3.University students 4.Educational leaders (Secondary School Principals, University Professors, University Deans) 5.Agricultural workers 6.ICT retailers and wholesalers 7.Internet café patrons

6 Sector Trends Government: 1.Lack of access to computers in most departments 2.Lack of training despite numerous e-government initiatives 3.Lack of funds to train, monitor, and maintain were indicated as the main impediments to an adequate system GoA believed in the importance of ICT-related technology in that it could help: 1.Organize Data 2.Catalogue Data 3.Improve inter-departmental flows of information 4.Improve inter-ministerial flows of information

7 Secondary Students: 1.Overcrowded classrooms 2.Few Computers 3.Poor Infrastructure 4.Lack of trained computer teachers 5.Lack of funds to repair broken computers 6.Lack of funds to pay for internet connection Outside the classroom: 1.Very Expensive to use Netcafés 2.Limited Access in rural areas 3.Cultural Acceptance – Modern Technologies

8 University Students: 76% respondents indicated no previous access to computers prior to their arrival at Kabul University – Widely considered to be the best University in Afghanistan -Access to ICT is available (Computers labs, digital library) -Not enough for all 14,000 students -Internet connection in only 4 out of 14 faculties -no funds for IT maintenance -lack of training provided – (Funds, donors, and retention) -Professor’s find difficulty to ingrate modern technologies into coursework -Material in some departments is from the 1970’s -Internet Content

9 Educational Leaders: (University Chancellors, University Deans, University Professors, Secondary School Principals, Secondary School teachers Views towards how ICT can help their faculties –Accessing information from outside Afghanistan –Enhancing skills needed in the work force –Aiding in the presentation and organization of lectures (PowerPoint, projectors, microphones, photocopiers, etc.) –Training staff to monitor internet usage and repair computers Constraints?

10 “ICT Sector Boom” ISPs NGOs Telecom Computer Shops Internet Cafés Deficiencies

11 Lessons Learned from the Assessment Next Steps – Submit Concept, Implement Pilot projects