Lars Asker
Stockholm University and 7 Cs WorldBridge AB

Abstract

Universities in many African countries currently have development
projects aimed at promoting the use of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICT) and establishing educational programs in Computer
Science.

Although local conditions may differ, the situation at these
universities with respect to the use of ICT and the availability of
technical expertise is in many ways similar. In this talk I will
present the status of four such projects, and point out how all
projects can benefit from the establishment of a contact network. Such
a network would function as a framework for the exchange of experience,
ideas and resources, thereby strengthening individual projects and
creating better opportunities for development driven by local initiatives.

Biography:

Lars Asker is an Associate Professor in Computer and Systems Sciences
at Stockholm University, Sweden. He is also a partner of 7Cs
WorldBridge AB, a company whose mission is to contribute to the
development of information and communication technology (ICT) -based
services and to the proliferation of affordable access to such services, particularly for people in developing countries.

Dr. Asker is a former member of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign
Affairs' working group on Information and Communication Technologies
(ICT) in Development Co-operation. He is an expert advisor to the
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and is
currently involved in several ICT related development programs in Asia,
Africa and Latin America.