Realising Digital Nation and eAsia 2011

Realising Digital Nation is the slogan of eAsia 2011 which is an international event to be held in Bangladesh from December 1, 2011. The three-day event is on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for development. As announced by the organisers the main objective of eAsia 2011 is to reinforce technology and knowledge-centric growth and needs of Asia including Bangladesh through capitalisation of market economy and boosting human development. It is also learnt that the event is to commemorate the 40th birth anniversary of independent Bangladesh and celebrate progress of Digital Bangladesh agenda of the government. There are lots of scopes to comment on the issue. The organisers are expecting more than 1000 registered delegates from all over the world. There are arrangements for exhibitions for various types of organisations and institutions, and also scopes of showcasing of government initiatives. It is no doubt, an interesting and positive initiative. Though, the event will be held for first time in Bangladesh but similar activities started since '90 in other countries of Asia. Digital Bangladesh vision proposes to mainstream ICTs as a tool to eradicate poverty, establish good governance, ensure social equity through quality education, healthcare and law enforcement for all, and prepare the citizens for climate change. According to the statement of the authority concerned, this is the first time in the history of Bangladesh that the vision of poverty reduction and human development by utilising ICTs was backed by strong political will from the very top and enthusiastic support from common citizens at the bottom. Who will benefit from this event? What is there to learn? The whole nation can benefit from the event, if we take it in the positive way. Realising Digital Nation-might mean a digitally empowered nation-more precisely, it means a nation equipped with proper tools, technology and knowledge for all pervasive development including fulfilment of the long-cherished desire for a corruption-free country. This event will give an excellent scope for focusing the nation as the First Digital Nation and the country as the First Digital Country in the world. There is a lot to learn from this event. The previous events were held in technologically developed countries like China, Malaysia, Srilanka and India. The event was held twice in Malaysia-eAsia 2007 and eAsia 2008, eAsia 2009 in Srilanka, and eAsia 2010 in India. Similar events were held in the countries of Asia in different names such as Map Asia was held in Beijing, China in 2004 and e-India is held every year in different cities of the country. In other continents similar events are held frequently. African countries organise eLearning Africa every year in different cities. The 7th ICT event eLearning Africa is going to be held in Cotonou, Benin from May 23 to 25, 2012. This is learnt from an invitation letter received from Benin on November 20, 2011 requesting this scribe to participate as a speaker in the event. All African countries are not at the same level in respect of their science and technology development. Countries like South Africa, Kenya and Ghana are in a better position. There are countries in Africa with mineral resources of billions of dollars, but their technological and human resource development is poor. As such they cannot enjoy the benefits of their God-gifted natural and mineral resources. The events like eLearning Africa help them improve their social, technical and financial conditions through utilisation of resources. Recently, the Ugandan government has adopted strategies of inviting renowned scientists, technologists and researchers to pick up the best ideas from them and implement those in Uganda. The head of the government has made science education compulsory for all up to Class 12. He has captured the critical idea and realised that it is the Ugandans who can develop the country scientifically and technologically to improve social condition to challenge the world which is not possible by anybody else from a foreign country. From personal experience of participation in many of the events held in Asia, Africa, Europe, America, Canada and Australia it can be said that the event is a unique platform and opportunity for us to realise and get recognition as a digital nation. Dr Lutfor Rahman is the Chairman of Computer Science and Engineering department at Stamford University Bangladesh. He can be reached at email: lutfor@agni.com