What is ICT-E

What is ICT-E

Diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, and to create, disseminate, store, and manage information is ICT.

ICT (information and communications technology - or technologies) :

A complex term that includes any communication
device or application, viz: radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such as video conferencing and distance learning. ICTs are often spoken of in a particular context, such as ICTs in education, health care, or libraries. The term is somewhat more common outside of the United States.

ICTs deals less in the technology itself than in its ability to create greater access to information and communication in underserved populations.

To be a good students, workers and citizens today, everyone needs a basic understanding of ICT and how to make productive use of it.

Many countries around the world have established organizations for the promotion of ICTs, because it is feared that unless less technologically advanced areas have a chance to catch up, the increasing technological advances in developed nations will only serve to exacerbate the already-existing economic gap between technological "have" and "have not" areas. Internationally.

There are many so called form of ICT:

1. ICT/Digital Education:

2. ICT Infrastructure and Support Applied            Technologists:

3. Specialized Business and Industry Uses of ICT

4. ICT Research and Development Scientists

1.ICT/Digital Education:

Teaching people how to be competent basic users of ICT technologies is an important role of ICT education, so they can success in their academic/work careers, and so they can easily participate in modern technical society. As part of its study validating U.S. Department of Labor IT Competency model content in California, MPICT determined with 99% confidence California employer agreement with the following statements regarding Digital Education:

·         “Information and communication technologies (ICT) competencies are increasingly important for most of our employers, regardless of role. If there was an agreed-upon standard for "digital literacy", or ICT competencies expected of all workers, regardless of workplace role, my organization would value a credential based on that standard as a way of validating ICT skills for non-ICT workers.” (70.5% agree or very much agree)

·         “In the 21st century, an ability to work with information and communication technologies is becoming as essential to education, life and workplace success as "reading, writing and arithmetic".” ICT Digital Literacy should be considered a basic skill by educational systems, something taught to and assessed for all students. (85.2% agree or very much agree)

·         This study details 49 competencies for ICT User level knowledge and skills, as an actionable, teachable and assessable definition of what people need to know and be able to do to be “digitally education.”
2.ICT Infrastructure and Support Applied Technologists –

Beyond a basic user competency, our society also needs more knowledgeable and capable technical people to deploy, manage and maintain ICT equipment, software and systems, so they work well for users. In all industries, these people manage computer and communications hardware, software and applications; networked systems; online information sharing, communication and commerce systems; business processes making use of these systems; and user support.

3.Specialized Business and Industry Uses ICT –  

As enabling technologies, ICT is used strategically in almost all businesses and industries. Many have developed specialized systems and uses of ICT, and many have specialized legal and regulatory requirements; quality control systems; integrations with production and research equipment and systems; security requirements; and software applications. For example:

o    Bioscience industries rely on specialized ICT systems and applications to conduct research, analyze organic materials, produce biotech products and do required reporting;
 

o        Financial services industries rely on ICT to maintain customer records, do business, conduct trades, do financial reporting, secure proprietary information and comply with regulations;
 

o        Manufacturing industries use specialized computer controlled systems and robotics to design, produce and test products.
 

o        Property management operations use ICT to network and control heating and cooling, lighting and building access systems.
 

o        Electric utilities use ICT to monitor and manage electricity distribution, customer billing and smart metering systems.
 

o        Telecommunications, cable TV and other entertainment industries use ICT to store content, manage customers and deliver their services.
 

        We need to develop a competent workforce that understands not only relevant technologies, but also specialized business and industry environments and operations, to meet these specialized needs.

4.ICT Research and Development Scientists –

        ICT fields themselves are under constant pressure to evolve and improve. We need people who deeply understand the science and technologies underlying ICT and who can work to advance the fields.

        In virtually all modern businesses and industries, and in modern society in general, ICT has key strategic roles. It is strategically important to develop citizens and workers who can competently and efficiently operate and add value in these systems and environments.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in India (Individual)

The Indian information and communication technology (ICT) In the past two decades  industry has witnessed excellent growth. Capitalizing on its advantages of talent pool, lower cost of operation and the innovative remote delivery model, India has established itself as a global leader in the ICT sector. ICT can be broadly viewed under two sectors, information technology (IT) and Communication. India is one of the fastest-growing IT markets in the world. The rapid emergence of Indian IT sector has played a significant role in transforming India's image from a slow moving bureaucratic economy to a land of innovative entrepreneurs. More recently, online retailing, cloud computing and e-commerce are emerged as the major growth drivers in the sector. The market size of information technology in India is expected to touch US$ 44.8 billion in 2014 as compared to US$ 35.1 billion in 2012, as per International Data Corporation (IDC).

     The Indian IT infrastructure market (comprising servers, storage and networking equipments) is projected to grow to US$ 2.1 billion in 2013, an increase of 9.7 per cent as compared to 2012, according to Gartner. The market is driven by hardware refresh, optimisation and consolidation efforts. New data centre build out, primarily driven by service providers, is providing added impetus to this market. On the other hand, the telecom sector in India has registered a phenomenal growth during the past few years and has become the second largest telephone network in the world, only after China. The mobile services market in India is expected to grow to Rs 1.2 lakh crore (US$ 19.97billion) in 2013, an increase of 8 per cent from Rs 1.1 lakh crore (US$ 18.28 billion) in 2012, as per Gartner.

       With more attractive and investor-friendly industrial policies and foreign direct investment (FDI) policies, India has become one of the favorite destinations for ICT investment portfolios.

      To unleash ICT's presence in India, the right eco-system must first fall in place. For this, the right balance between services and the ESDM sector should be set. Various spokespersons at IT.Biz 2012 held in Bangalore expressed their will to push the IT industry to a $300 billion industry from today's $101 billion. A growth rate of 10-12 % is required to meet this growth.

       BV Naidu, co-chairman, Karnataka's ICT group, laid out nine key points that will help thrust the industry forward:

       1. The Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) industry needs to be recognized as a separate sector from IT and should be provided investments to manufacture locally and reduce imports. This would give India a competitive advantage.

2. There is a need for training of engineers hired directly after college. They are not considered employable and enterprises are forced to invest time and money on training. This is a clear indicator that quality and standards of education at college level should be worked upon.

3. Talent development and job creation should be a focus point. We have a huge pool of manpower that can be utilized well if they are given good opportunities.

4. The government should set up an IP innovation and ICT fund to encourage innovations.

5. Entrepreneurship should be encouraged. Getting a start-up out should be made easy, while policies and concessions should encourage people to get started on their own.

6. Tier 2 and 3 cities should be a priority area. ICT structures should be developed in these centers as well.

7. India should maintain strategic relationships with other countries in terms of trade.

8. Basic infrastructure required for running a business should be accessible and subsidized.

9. The government should focus on b randing and focused marketing to make the country an inviting destination for business. The media has been overloaded with scams and government involvement. Such crimes should be brought down.