Ajialcom Egypt-Siwa

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Activity & Outcomes

Siwa Community Developmemt

Introduction

TACC Siwa is a local program initiated by Microsoft Egypt, RITSEC, MCIT, ICTDAR and UNDP. The programme illustrates the positive role ICT can have in assisting governments to reduce poverty and improve socioeconomic development in Siwa. It addresses how ICT can be used as a tool for development, the possible role of promoting its use in the oasis, specific areas where ICT can be applied, and the overall strategy for utilizing ICT.

The TACC has a high potential of creating jobs and reducing poverty through access to information technology & global & local databases. It is critical to empowering people to use the information available on the Internet towards social, economic, cultural, educational and overall development. Hence, TACC will provide access to news, employment opportunities, health education, environment education, networking & other resources. It will also provide access to Government services & information through electronic means.

Partners

ICTDAR / UNDP Egypt
- Prime for the project coordination and implementation including chairing the steering committee
- Provide a mechanism for the implementation and management; which should include systematic review of the financial capacity of the CACs
- Provide a mechanism for the implementation, management and coordination of project activities Assist in producing a business model and a business plan to ensure sustainability and the potential replication in similar environment
- Provide technical assistance and strategic advice pertaining to the project’s development and activities.
- Engage in fund raising for the project and coordinate agreements between different donors
Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT)

Review and approve the training curriculum
Assist in the selection of trainees
Participate in the monitoring and assessment of the training program, materials, instructors and trainees.

In terms of infrastructure and equipment, MCIT will provide:
- Internet connectivity
- 15 PCs
- Printers and scanners
- Network installation
- MS Desktop software
Microsoft Corporation
- Draft the public relation plan about the project launch, including sponsoring the drafting and issuance of 2 press releases and the production of a 4 minutes video documentary
- Make available the Unlimited Potential IT Fundamental curriculum for 30 Trainees.
- Train the Trainer Program to introduce teaching skills for 30 people.
- Business Skills Development for 30 People
- Web Design Fundamentals and / or Maintenance [to be revised based upon actual need assessment
SACD

The role of SACD in relation to the possible implementation of the Potential Collaboration agreement includes the following:

Management of the TACC

Provision of furniture

Electricity (according to standard requirements)

Air-Conditioning

Activities & Outcomes

This project started on July 2004 and was completed in July 2005.

Develop and Implement Training Curriculum

SIWA Infrastructure
- Activity: furnish Siwa with equipment and internet connectivity
- Prime: MCIT
- Outcome: 15 PCs, printers, scanners and internet connectivity were provided
- Remarks: Duration 2 weeks, and the training included
Training- Basic ICT Skills
- Activity: Training Siwan community on basic ICT skills
- Prime: Microsoft/ RITSEC
- Outcome: 30 persons completed this training (8 females)
- Remarks: Duration 2 weeks, and the training included :
  - Introduction to computers and operating systems.
  - MS Word.
  - MS Excel.
  - MS PowerPoint
  - Internet
Training- Web Development
- Activity: Training Siwan community on Web development
- Prime: Microsoft/ RITSEC
- Outcome: 30 persons completed this training (8 females)
- Remarks: Duration 3 weeks, and the training included :
  - HTML
  - Front Page
Training- Train the Trainer
- Activity: Train of Trainer for the Siwan community
- Prime: Microsoft/ RITSEC
- Outcome: 15 persons completed this training
- Remarks: Duration 6 days, and the training included methods of teaching someone how to use computers.
Development of standardized business training curriculum
- Activity: Training the Siwan community on Business writing and E-Marketing
- Prime: Microsoft/ RITSEC
- Outcome: 10 persons completed this training
- Remarks: Duration 5 days

Impact

The impact of the training courses on community development:

Siwa Association for Community Development:

Siwan participants working with RITSEC in developing the website for the Siwan Association for Community Development; their local NGO hosting the TACC program.

H.E. Mrs. Suzan Mubarak Awards and Internet Applications:

Siwan participated in the contest in 2005 that developed educational websites for children.

Marketing Siwan Products:

Siwa oasis is famous for its dates, olives and olive oil. The community though was unable to fully market their products locally or internationally. Now, the community is able to explore new international markets for their products without the need for an intermediary.

Development of Siwa website

With the training skills that were acquired, the trainees developed a website about Siwa oasis. http://www.megaclub.gov.eg/siwa/

The appointment of trainees in factories

The trainees implemented a number of training to the community which resulted in providing job opportunities in different factories at the Siwan community.

Women empowerment

For the first time, Siwan young women received computer training, and they are now duplicating the training to other women in the Siwan community, encouraging them to play a more effective role in the development of the Siwan community.

All of the above accomplishments are only the outcome of a very short period, but the true value of the CACs for development on the community is yet to be fully assessed. In Siwa’s case, the dynamic effect created by AjialCom will leave an impact for generations to come.