Ukraine is urged to invest more in information technologies
On October 29 Intel Corporation Chief Executive Officer Craig Barrett made his first working visit to Ukraine, as part of which Intel Corporation and Ukraine’s Education Ministry signed a memorandum on the development of information technologies in education. Beginning next year, ten thousand Ukrainian teachers will learn how to integrate information technologies into the school curricula. As part of the Education for the Future Program, several training centers will be opened across Ukraine. After undergoing training, teachers will disseminate computer knowledge to their students.
Mr. Barrett’s busy schedule included a speech at a business forum, a public lecture at the Kyiv Shevchenko University, and a press conference, where he offered his vision of the development of information technologies and Ukraine’s role in this process.
The world is undergoing a digital transformation. Today everything is becoming digital — information, communications, and contacts. Digital technologies are the moving force behind higher productivity, competitiveness, and living standards. The digital transformation is powered by the Internet with an estimated 700 million users. Experts predict that this figure will soon reach one or two billion. The communications infrastructure is becoming digital and is integrated with the Internet. Currently, there is an estimated one billion mobile phone users. Worldwide e-commerce revenues come to several trillion American dollars annually. According to Barrett, this figure is expected to reach ten trillion dollars in the coming years, which is the equivalent of the US economy.
The Internet lies at the core of new technologies. It enables communication between people in any location in the world. Although still a novelty for Ukraine, wireless Internet access is a technology that could propel Ukraine forward. High-tech industry offers integrated devices that combine computing with a wireless communications infrastructure. Thus, according to Barrett, we are witnessing the convergence of computing and communications. Ukraine can capitalize on the opportunities created by profound technological changes that the world will see continuing in the next twenty years.
According to Barrett, “visionary leaders are making information technology investment a national priority. Countries are realizing that to be competitive, they must embrace information technology and create an environment that is conducive to business and foreign investment.” He cited Ireland, Estonia, Korea, and Israel as the strong new players that have taken this course, making emphasis on education, research, and creating a broadband communications infrastructure. Government policies aimed at creating favorable conditions and tax legislation also encourage the development of business and industry.
Ukraine is at a crossroads, and it should build a modern information technology infrastructure, Barrett said. In 2002, international experts analyzed 82 countries to determine the readiness of their national networks to embrace modern information and communications technologies, with Ukraine placing only seventieth in this rating. Tellingly, Finland placed first and Estonia fourth. The low level of penetration of high technologies and the Internet along with the low saturation with wireless and broadband Internet connections prevent Ukraine from rising to an adequate competitive level.
However, despite very low PC ownership and Internet usage at about 4 and 3 percent respectively, Ukraine still has a chance to embrace new technologies and improve the situation. Information technologies can become Ukraine’s catalyst for economic growth. Ukraine’s intellectual potential, a high level of education, and plans to create an e-government are signs that Ukraine has an opportunity to direct its own destiny. Ukraine must understand the importance of strategic investment in the computing and communications infrastructure, research and development programs, and education. This will help reinforce the country’s position in the world marketplace, Barrett believes.
