Information Technology Policy

Since my return to South Africa in 1992 I felt that the importance of the emerging Information Society was being undervalued and that South Africa was in danger of not getting the benefit of revolution taking place as a result of information technology. In 1993 the Computer Science Department resolved to become more involved in influencing government policy, since no other group seemed to be talking on behalf of the information technology (IT) research community.

By 1996 the results were quite overwhelming, we were very well placed to take part in a number of important IT policy events. The year saw the launch of the National Information Technology Forum (NITF) and the holding of the G7 Information Society and Development Conference (ISAD -- http://www.csir.co.za/isad/) in South Africa at the invitation of Deputy State President Thabo Mbeki.

I have been involved in a number of policy initiatives that affect Information Technology in South Africa. These are:

NSTF.

Initiated the participation of the IT community in the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF). Nominated to the NSTF as the representative of the National Information Technology Liaison Committee (NITLC).

CEER.

National co-ordinator of the South African Information Society Pilot Project on Centres of Excellence, Expertise and Resources. (One of 5 pilot projects endorsed by the South African government).

NITF.

Elected to the National Information Technology Forum (NITF) Interim Steering Committee as representative of the IT research community. Subsequently elected to the executive of the official NITF after its launch in April 1996. Co-ordinator of Innovation and Development task team.

DACST.

Invited by the Director general of the Department of Arts Culture Science and Technology to sit on the Review Committee to oversee the preparation of that department's contribution to the Information Society and Development Conference.

ISAD.

Invited to participate as a member of the South African delegation to the G7 conference on the Information Society and Development. Speaker in the session on applications.

In my involved in with National Technology Policy I have stressed the extent to which out competitiveness and capacity for innovation depends crucially on Information Technology. In return a successful Information Technology Industry and IT Services to the Broad Community require an effective National System of Innovation and lifelong learning since this technological field is characterized by extremely rapid change. On the NITF executive I head the task team on Innovation and Application Development. My input has been to stress the need for dealing with rapid change via innovation, and this innovation must be based on real human needs.

My activities in this regard also include being leader of the South African Pilot Project on Centres of Excellence, Expertise and Resources (CEER's). This is one of the 5 South African Pilot projects for the Information Society.