ITU-PTA-ICTI Training on Mobile Application Development 2016
16-26 February 2016, Islamabad, Pakistan
Islamabad : Upon request from Information and Communication Technology Institute (ICTI) to build the capacity and skill set on Mobile application development and mobile mediated solutions, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) are jointly organising a training course from 16-26 February 2016 at PTA HQs, Islamabad. The main objectives of the training course are:
- To build human and institutional capacity in mobile application development and fill the gap which is the lack of skilled professionals in mobile application development in Afghanistan
- To train instructors of ICTI so they can introduce a course on Mobile application development at ICTI
- Analyse Case studies on different countries of Asia Pacific region, so that international best practices can be adopted
- Teach how to develop native applications on iPhone and Android devices/platforms
On the opening ceremony, Senior Advisor of ITU Mr. Sameer said “ITU is committed for ICT development in Afghanistan by building human and institutional capacity and developing skill sets for trainers of ICTI, by fostering international cooperation using expertise from Member State Pakistan leveraging the hands on practical experience from academia as well as industry experts for m-apps development that would serve as powerful tool for enhancing productivity , job creation and improving e-government / citizen services.”
Chairman PTA, Dr.Syed Ismail Shah told that the collaboration of ITU to support m- apps development is an excellent example of international cooperation involving UN Agency (ITU), neighbouring countries and local expertise from PTA, NUST and mobile industry in Pakistan. He said that Pakistan is ready to share its policy and regulatory expertise with countries in the Asia-Pacific region and would be hosting international events and trainings in near future.
Mr. Shahryar Khan from NUST , Pakistan is the lead developer of the training modules for 10 days extensive course using IOS and android platform. Mr. Khan also developed mobile applications for Bhutan working as ITU Expert in 2013.Mr. Muneeb Ahmed, CTO SWAM Tech and Ms. Iram Tariq Bhatti, CEO Lab Magic and Winner of ITU Young innovators competition, 2012 will also assist in conducting the workshop.
Mr. Muhammad Faisal from Telenor Pakistan and Mr. Mudassir Nazar from Mobilink Pakistan have also contributed to the workshop and shared their perspective.The proven contribution of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) to national socio-economic development has been the subject of numerous studies. ICTs and associated applications, including mobile applications, which have come to be known as “e government”, “e agriculture”, “e education”, “e health”, “e entrepreneurship”, etc., contribute to development by enabling access to and exchange of information and services anywhere and anytime, by supporting the rapid processing and storage of information and by improving the provision of public and private services, including education and professional development, health, transport, industry, human rights, environmental protection, trade, road safety, urban management, transfer of information for social welfare, agriculture information and services, government services, entertainment, information services, and commerce in general, making them much more effective, efficient, accessible and affordable, especially for poor and marginalized populations.ICTs also enhance access to markets, and increasingly facilitate direct democratic participation. They provide more cost-efficient and effective ways to preserve and promote local culture. They not only bring down the costs of economic and social activities, for example by replacing transport and postal services, but open up entirely new business opportunities.
ICT applications and services are an important demand-side driver that can encourage the adoption of broadband services and can create a virtuous circle for broadband infrastructure development, where new types of content and applications drive an ever-increasing need for more bandwidth.
