stepankova

ICT in Czech Republicin the year 2004 : 

ICT in Czech Republic in the year 2004 Olga Štěpánková president of CSKI step@labe.felk.cvut.cz

Few basic facts concerning ITC: 

Few basic facts concerning ITC GDP growth (2004): about 3% a year (slightly above the average of EU-15) 48% of adults have a computer at home; 2/3 are connected to Internet, i.e. 32% of adults can access Internet from their home. 52% behind the digital divide: 38% of population has no experience in using computers and 14% play computer games only A.T. Kearne Consulting: “CZ is one of the countries with best conditions for design and development of ICT solutions (immediately after India, China, Malaysia)”

Governmental Initiatives: 

Governmental Initiatives 2000: Law on electronic signature since 1999: program of Min.Education “Internet to schools” 24.3.2004: the government decree No. 265 “State Information and Communication Policy” = strategic document in the field of e-society upto 2006 October 2004: public portal ensuring uniform approach to governmental services;

The Manifest of Knowledge Society SPIS, association of core ICT industries in CZ: 

The Manifest of Knowledge Society SPIS, association of core ICT industries in CZ If no serious socio-economic changes, the country will decline so slowly that almost nobody will take notice. Results: decreasing creative potential and exodus of competent people Road towards knowledge society requires financial and moral long-term investments. The problem? The results cannot be manifested before the end of several election periods. Clear vision, integrity and strength are needed!

Strengths: 

Strengths ICT market/GDP: CZ on the 4. position among 25 countries [eE] Well-qualified hard-working open-minded work force with high ability to improvise. Sophisticated production. Top level SW production. Number of people working in R&D is twice as high compared to G7 [WB, 2004]. More than 5000 new ICT graduates each year. Several decades of presence of females in ICT and in technical environment in general.

Weaknesses: general comments: 

Weaknesses: general comments Slow legislation and lack of transparency in decision-making, low transparency and intelligibility of the tax system. Insufficient property protection [WB, 2004]. High degree of corruption [Transparency Int. 2004]: 4 worst countries in Europe: Czech Republic, Latvia, Slovakia and Poland. Low availability of governmental services offered through Internet Refutation of simple international standards by public institutions (e.g. concerning IT literacy)

Weaknesses: IT: 

Weaknesses: IT Low number of university graduates in full population (about 50% of the number characterising G7 countries [WB, 2004]), insuf.computer literacy (less than 50% [DEMA, 2004]). Significantly lower number of technical publications than average of G7 countries [WB, 2004]. Excessive price of access to Internet (approx. 3 times more than in EU-15 [eE]), low number of employees connected to Internet (about 2/3 of the average of EU-15 [eE]).

Opportunities: 

Opportunities Competitiveness of Czech SW companies working on int.scale Attractive country with friendly life environment Culture of high esteem for education: life-long learning is considered by 51 % of Czech citizens (39 % count on e-learning) Education - rich resources to increase quality and accessibility of middle and higher education. This may be no more the case in several years.

Threats: 

Threats Continuous decline of quality of education due to underpayment of teachers Artificial barriers preventing work force mobility (domain specific home-made IT certification systems) The state applies no positive motivation to encourage personal growth of citizens National narcisism supported by usage of fuzzy notions (like computer literacy)

Time for bold political decisions: 

Time for bold political decisions Should a state support the specific section of enterprises dealing with information and communication technologies? [MKS] : The correct answer is neither YES nor NO ; both answers are wrong. The right answer is “Define the concepts first and specify what does it mean to support peak technologies”!

The best decision the state can accept to support ICT is to create good legal and cultural environment. : 

The best decision the state can accept to support ICT is to create good legal and cultural environment. Ensure public administration, education, legislation, support of direct foreign investment, friendly conditions for small enterprises.

IT literacy: a fuzzy notion : 

IT literacy: a fuzzy notion Czech Min.of Informatics: A course in IT literacy, which has been delivered to 32.000 of students already. It takes 120 minutes (aimed at a total layman who does not know the difference between mouse and keyboard). National Health Service (UK) defines IT literacy as an ability to use efficiently the hospital computer system. This needs 40-120 hours. Comparing the price and the results of both projects is highly misleading.

Some SWOT contradictions: low impact of investments in ICT: 

Some SWOT contradictions: low impact of investments in ICT Top position in ICT market/GDP: CZ on the 4. position among 25 countries [eE] Excessive price of access to Internet (approx. 3 times more than in EU-15 [eE]), low number of employees connected to Internet (about 2/3 of the average of EU-15 [eE]). Low availability of governmental services offered through Internet, Low usage of e shopping

Some SWOT contradictions: low average productivity of R&D: 

Some SWOT contradictions: low average productivity of R&D Excessive work-force in R&D is twice as high compared to G7 [WB, 2004]. Significantly lower number of technical publications than average of G7 countries [WB, 2004].

Impact of Int. Community: CEPIS, IFIP, ..., EU: 

Impact of Int. Community: CEPIS, IFIP, ..., EU Best practices - raising awareness among politicians!!! Definition and standardisation of notions and criteria to be applied in the context of knowledge society. Insisting on usage of these de-mystified notions when describing the obtained results (e.g. of the financed international projects including the Structural Funds) Introduction of reliable internationally recognised certification programs. Standardisation as a tool to prevent manipulation with facts and to fight corruption.

Are you interested in getting Manifest of Knowledge Society ?Olga Stepankovastep@labe.felk.cvut.cz: 

Are you interested in getting Manifest of Knowledge Society ? Olga Stepankova step@labe.felk.cvut.cz