ictQATAR's 2008 Annual Report

8/9/2019 ictQATAR's 2008 Annual Report

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ictqatars-2008-annual-report 1/32



Competition thrives



People thrive



Contents

Message from the Secretary General 1

Introduction 2

Progress Toward a Networked Nation

Demonstrating Qatar’s e-readiness 4

Ushering in a new era of telecoms

competition and choice 6

Building a vital market for ICT 10

ICT in Daily Life

Interacting with Qatar’s government 14

Engaging students in exciting ways 16

Benefitting everyone through ICT 18

Empowering persons with disabilities 19

Advancing Qatar’s goal of world-class

healthcare for all 20

Protecting Qatar against cyber threats 22

ictQATAR organization 24



In 2004, ictQATAR was established as the nation’s

ICT policy and regulatory body. Its goal is to

connect people to technologies that enrich lives,

diversify the economy, and inspire confidence in

the future. Through its initiatives and partnerships,

ictQATAR has built programs to benefit all people

in Qatar—from business leaders to students to

healthcare practitioners to those with disabilities.

By leveraging the power of technology for

education, healthcare, government, and the

marketplace, Qatar is becoming a more competitive

and more equitable society.



The successful integration of information and communication

technology into daily life throughout Qatar came closer to reality in 2008. More

and more businesses, schools, government agencies, and families thrived

because of ICT. The results are evident everywhere: in classrooms, where the

digital curriculum is inspiring students to solve real-world problems with peers

around the world; in businesses, where balance sheets are reflecting new

markets opened up by the Internet; and in public spaces, where the chorus

of ring tones signals more and more consumers connected with friends

and families—and enjoying better rates on their calls.

This is just the beginning. ictQATAR is developing a national ICT policy that

will continue to secure a thriving, diversified economy. The policy will address

priorities that include creating a high-speed broadband national network to

better connect schools, hospitals, and government organizations to the

people they serve; improved interoperability of networks, while promoting a

safe user environment; and new standards to lower the environmental damage

caused by ICT. We will also continue our work structuring a regulatory climate

in which both businesses and individual consumers benefit.

It is also our duty to ensure that all segments of the population benefit from

advancements in ICT. We are empowering women to enter the skilled ICT

workforce and helping the unemployed and elderly contribute to society in

new ways. As part of our commitment to enriching the lives of those with

disabilities, we are opening the Assistive Technology Center, where anyone

with a disability can find out what ICT resources are available to them.

Together, we will build a stronger Qatar, one defined by innovation

and good ideas.

Dr. Hessa Sultan Al-Jaber Secretary General of ictQATAR

12008 Annual Report



The year 2008 was marked by momentum on many fronts. More parents are

involved in their children’s day-to-day educational progress. Business leaders

are boosting performance and revenue. And more than 300 online services can

be accessed anytime, anywhere, through Qatar’s online government portal

Hukoomi. And because of round-the-clock vigilance by a team of international

cyber security experts, children and adult users are safer on the Internet.

The world is noticing ictQATAR’s progress. The Global Information Technology

Report 2008–2009, produced by the World Economic Forum in cooperation

with INSEAD, ranked Qatar 29th of 134 nations in the Networked Readiness

Index—rising from 32nd place in last year’s Index.

The work is far from over. The results of Qatar’s ICT Landscape ’09 report show

that all stakeholders must accelerate efforts to adopt technology in order to

realize Qatar’s vision of a diverse, flexible economy that advances the welfare

of all. To that end, ictQATAR is developing a comprehensive ICT policy for

the entire nation that will be ratified at the cabinet level. With broad input from

stakeholders throughout the country, the policy will guide initiatives in education,

healthcare, market development, regulatory affairs, and the environment.

ictQATAR2



Progresstoward a

networkednation



underscores that good education fundamentals,

innovation, and wide ICT access are key to nations’

social growth and economic competitiveness.

After four years of advancing ICT use in Qatar, ictQATAR

commissioned its own report to analyze the state of

ICT in Qatar and to determine the pace at whichsegments crucial to the growth of a knowledge-based

economy are adopting ICT—residents, government,

and business. Researchers also studied ICT adoption in

the fields of education, healthcare, tourism, and

workforce development. From June through October,

2008, Madar Research interviewed more than 4,800

people in Qatar and compared the results to existing

studies of countries throughout the world. The resulting

comprehensive report, Qatar’s ICT Landscape 2009 ,

is the country’s first survey-based ICT study.

The study shows that in just a few years, Qatar has

made steady progress in ICT adoption. The country is

well on its way to building an information-based society.

Based on combined performance in basic ICT indicators

such as the number of computer users, Internet users,

and subscribers to broadband Internet and mobile and

fixed line telephones, ICT adoption in Qatar places thecountry among the best three in the Arab region.

Demonstrating Qatar’se-readiness

The Global Information Technology Report 2008–2009 ,

produced by the World Economic Forum in cooperation

with INSEAD, reflects Qatar’s steady march toward

ICT adoption. In the report’s Networked Readiness

Index, Qatar rose to 29th among 134 nations from the

previous year’s ranking of 32nd among 127 nations.

In 2005–2006, the first year Qatar was included in this

global assessment, the country ranked 39th in the

report’s Networked Readiness Index.

The Index is the world’s most comprehensive inter-

national assessment of the impact of ICT on nations’

development and international competitiveness.

The 134 developed and developing economies

surveyed in the 2008–2009 report account for more

than 98 percent of world GDP.

The Networked Readiness Index examines how

countries use ICT in three areas: general business,

regulatory, and infrastructure environment for ICT;

readiness of government, individuals, and businesses

to use and benefit from ICT; and the actual usage of

available ICT by these stakeholder groups. The report

ictQATAR4



2008 Annual Report

Marketing grows businesses. That was

the essence of ictQATAR’s second

Business Connect seminar, “Realizing

the Power of e-Marketing.” More than

150 managers from small andmedium-sized businesses learned

about e-marketing techniques that

have the power to maximize business

results, beginning with the creation

of a company website.

Connectingbusinesses toone anotherand the world

But the study also found that three important

stakeholder groups—government, business, and

residents—are not equal in their level of ICT

adoption. Residents, excluding transient workers,

performed better in overall ICT indicators than

government and business. Of the three groups, busi-

nesses have the most progress to make. The lack

of ICT skills is the largest barrier to widespread ICT

adoption, especially among small businesses.

As ictQATAR worked in 2008 to address challenges

raised in the report, offices and departments

sought valuable input from leaders throughout the

world. Through international memberships and

partnerships, ictQATAR is ensuring its programs

and projects are world-class while sharing itsown insights in a global ICT forum. ictQATAR is a

member of the International Telecommunications

Union (ITU), the United Nations Global Alliance for

ICT and Development, GCC Ministers of ICT, the

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for

Western Asia, and the Internet Governance Forum,

among others. ictQATAR has also signed memo-

randums of understanding with numerous foreign

governments and international corporations.

52008 Annual Report



In 2008, ictQATAR achieved one of its earliest goals

when telecommunications liberalization opened the

mobile market to competition. ictQATAR issued a

license to Vodafone Qatar QSC (Vodafone Qatar), and

after a careful, ordered, and transparent process,

Vodafone Qatar was also awarded the second fixed

license. All consumers should benefit from better

value, as well as the accelerated innovation of

advanced products and services demanded by a

growing, diverse economy.

Qatar’s telecommunications liberalization has three

primary objectives:

1. Foster an efficient telecommunications sector to

kkbenefit society

2. Create a showcase for successful sector reform

3. Provide a sustainable business environment

To achieve these goals, ictQATAR is committed to

facilitating wide availability of advanced next genera-

tion broadband services. These networks and services

will allow for delivery of more robust services to

business and government, allowing organizations of

all kinds to provide a richer, fuller experience to online

customers and visitors. Advanced next generation

broadband is of particular importance to education

and health, areas where immediate responses

and interactivity are important. And for the busi-

ness community, these services will be central to

competitiveness.

In 2010, ictQATAR will conduct a comprehensive

Strategic Sector Review of the telecommunications

sectors. This review will determine the state of

competition in Qatar; whether additional operators

in the market or regulatory measures would advancethat competition; and what structural changes, if any,

would benefit consumers and the market.

Regulatory Framework

In its role as regulator with a consumer protection

mandate, ictQATAR is developing a full regulatory

framework to advance healthy market competition

conditions and ensure that consumers can exercise

their rights in a competitive market.

The Regulatory Framework includes elements to

ensure development of markets and competition.

Dominance Designation

In keeping with best practices from around the world,

ictQATAR analyzed its telecommunications markets

to see if any service providers had dominance over

another. ictQATAR determined Qtel was a dominant

service provider in fifteen retail and wholesale

markets, including, among others, access to mobile

and fixed networks, international telecommunications

services, broadband services, access to network facili-

ties, and call origination and termination.

Ushering in a New Era ofTelecoms Competitionand Choice

ictQATAR6



Abuse of market dominance of one provider over

another inhibits competition and harms consumers.

With ictQATAR’s designation of Qtel as a dominant

service provider in 15 markets, a range of legal

obligations and remedies under the

Telecommunications Law and Telecommunications

Licenses were triggered. Market dominance

designation also mandates that tariffs for

telecommunications services provided by dominant

service providers should be based on the cost of

providing efficient service under the Regulatory

Accounting System. ictQATAR will continue to monitor

the 15 markets to determine whether any changes in

Qtel’s market power have occurred and also to ensure

compliance with dominance requirements.

Interconnection Agreement and Rate

Determination

After receiving its Mobile Telecommunications License

in June, 2008, Vodafone Qatar submitted

interconnection and access requests to Qtel for

telecommunications services and facilities. The terms

of Vodafone’s and Qtel’s licenses state that if such

requests are not settled within 60 days, matters may

then be submitted to ictQATAR with a request for

determination. In November 2008, Vodafone Qatar

submitted a number of unresolved issues to ictQATAR.

Determinations were subsequently made on

interconnection charges (mobile termination rate, fixed

termination rate, and SMS termination rate), access to

and use of international landing station facilities in

Qatar, and access to and use of in-building

telecommunications infrastructure.

Tariff Approval

Licenses issued to Qtel and Vodafone Qatar state that

for companies designated as a dominant service

provider in specific markets, prior approval from

ictQATAR is required for a tariff or any change

to a tariff at least 28 days before the proposed

effective date.

For Licensees that are not dominant service providers,

tariffs must be submitted to ictQATAR no later than the

date on which the tariff is scheduled to go into effect

ictQATAR has 21 days to approve or object to the tariff.

If it objects, ictQATAR can order its suspension, modifi-

cation or withdrawal.

In all cases, companies must notify customers at least

21 days in advance of any tariff involving a price

increase.

Billing Instructions

Clear, accurate bills for products and services are a

hallmark of a liberalized market. Because billing

methods were a source of frequent consumer

dissatisfaction, ictQATAR proposed draft billing

instructions for providers to follow. ictQATAR’s goal

was to help customers understand bills, identify

billing errors, and avoid erroneous charges.

Licensing Framework

Effective licensing fosters a healthy telecommunica-

tions sector by controlling market entry, furthering

competition, protecting consumers’ interests, and

managing national scarce resources such as radio

72008 Annual Report



frequencies and numbers. Public consultations were

planned on a licensing framework that includes class

licensing for resellers and private networks. The new

framework will address business and market needs

and align licensing practices with the

Telecommunications Law.

Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT)

Liberalization

VSAT is a system of using satellites to provide tele-

communications services, including Internet. This sys-

tem is critical for the oil and gas industry, especially

offshore rigs.

Individual licensees such as Qtel and Vodafone Qatar

are authorized to provide VSAT services and operate a

VSAT network. There is also high demand from busi-

nesses for the ability to purchase VSAT services from

other providers.

ictQATAR intends to launch a VSAT license application

process so interested applicants can apply for a VSAT

license to own and operate a VSAT network and

provide services.

Type Approval

Service providers and suppliers of telecommunica-

tions equipment in Qatar must ensure the equipmentis used safely without causing long- or short-term

damage to the network. ictQATAR intends to propose

standards and processes for such telecommunications

equipment to reduce the possibility of network dam-

age or interference, as well as compliance with the

Frequency Allocation Plan.

Numbering

Since telephone numbers are a scarce resource,

ictQATAR developed a National Numbering Plan to

ensure availability of numbers in Qatar for years to

come. ictQATAR carried out reviews through 2008 of

the use of numbers in the country. The reviews

highlighted the need for strictly regulated procedures

for allocating numbers ictQATAR allocated Qtel

additional numbers in the 3xxxxxx range. The newlylicensed second mobile operator, Vodafone Qatar, was

allocated the 7xxxxxx range.

Number portability is a licensing requirement for Qtel

and Vodafone Qatar. ictQATAR has established a

Numbering Plan Coordination Committee to assist the

providers with portability implementation. As the

population continues to grow, the Committee will also

examine whether there will be a need to increase thelength of telephone numbers from 7 digits to

a higher number.

Spectrum Allocation and Management

Radio frequency spectrum is a finite resource of vital

importance to Qatar. Spectrum management is key

to linking Qatar with the global digital economy and

sustaining long-term economic growth. Successful

spectrum management also supports national defenseand programs promoting social welfare, inclusion, and

protection.

As the national regulatory authority responsible for

radio frequency management, ictQATAR has reorga-

nized radio spectrum to meet current and future

ictQATAR8



requirements. ictQATAR is developing a spectrum

management strategic plan for Qatar that will enable

the efficient allocation of spectrum to foster growth

of competitive spectrum-dependent industries such

as terrestrial and satellite-based digital media. The

plan will address the growth of broadband and packet-

switched networks, increase of end-use mobility, and

the need to migrate from analogue to digital broad-

casting in order to free spectrum for new applications.

Consumer Protection and Fair Trading

Competition leads to benefits that can be passed on

to consumers. ictQATAR has a legal mandate under

the Telecommunications Law to ensure those benefits

are actually passed on. In 2008, ictQATAR launched

a series of consumer protection and fair trading initia-

tives based on the legal obligation of licensed serviceproviders to their customers.

ictQATAR published information about consumer

rights and responsibilities, and created a consumer

email address (HYPERLINK"mailto:consumervoice@

ict.gov.qa"[email protected]).

ictQATAR is reaching out to consumers

across Qatar to inform them of their

rights in a competitive market.

Informing and

educating consumers

Consumers can also call a hotline phone number for

help with complaints and disputes (+974-499-5353).

Public Consultations Engage

Stakeholders and implement

Transparency

ictQATAR is dedicated to the principle that those whowill be affected by regulatory rules and policy should

have a voice in how regulation is implemented.

Since its inception, ictQATAR’s work has been charac-

terized by open, public participation in the regulatory

process. Involving stakeholders through public

consultations helps ensure the regulatory process is

balanced and effective in practice.

In 2008, ictQATAR held public consultations on corpo-rate tariffs and billing guidelines. Several other public

consultations will follow in 2009.

92008 Annual Report



Nearly 200 reporters, communications professionals, and students attended “Media Connected,”

ictQATAR’s forum for journalists. Speakers and panelists agreed that journalism is neither dead

nor dying, but is instead evolving almost overnight because of technology. When news cycles are

constant and mobile phones can capture breaking news photos, ordinary people increasingly play

a role in relaying news to the world. Speakers at the event included the Economist ’s Tom Standage

and Leonard Brody, CEO of NowPublic, the world’s largest citizen news company. Among the

panelists discussing the future of new media were representatives from Al-Jazeera Network, Al-Jazeera Talk, Arab Advisors Group, BBC Arabic, and Northwestern University-Qatar.

Innovative ways to gather and share news

Building a vital marketfor ICT

Businesses of all sizes need to be positioned to

benefit from the opportunities that globalization

presents. ictQATAR is working to raise awareness

of technology’s crucial role in business growth and

improving effectiveness of government agencies and

non-profit organizations.

Customer-driven businesses and entrepreneurs must

integrate technology into what they do in order to

grow and thrive. ictQATAR in 2008 established aMarket Development Department. The Department

fosters innovation and technological change by

addressing both supply and demand.

The Department works to:

• Attract foreign companies to establish a presence

or invest in Qatar

• Help grow existing companies and incubate new

business ventures

• Accelerate awareness of the business

benefits of ICT

• Nurture a knowledge-sharing culture across

government

The Market Development Department is also exploringglobal sectors that are positioned to be high-growth

markets. The Department will determine which of

these sectors present opportunities for Qatar to

compete and thrive—such as development of ICT

applications for energy efficiency.

10



2008 Annual Report

A cornerstone of economic development is the suc-

cess of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

They create jobs, increase regional competitiveness,

improve the community, and diversify the nation’seconomy. The Market Development Department

analyzes the ICT sector to determine what needs

SMEs can meet, and what kind of capacity SMEs offer.

SMEs’ products and services can then be matched to

the demand of the marketplace.

To help Qatar’s SMEs market themselves regionally

and internationally, ictQATAR developed Fahras Qatar,

an online business directory. Fahras Qatar,

www.fahrasqatar.com, allows potential partners,

investors, customers, and vendors to view information

about companies throughout Qatar, including contact

information, location, product offerings, and special

promotions. The directory guides foreign investors

Nurturing involvement of Arab women in technology

ictQATAR hosted a workshop—“Advancing Arab Women in Technology: Strategy Made

Reality”—that brought together more than 40 leading women in technology from throughout

the Arab world and the United States. The purpose of the workshop was to advance plans

to create the Center for Women and Technology for the Arab Region. The Center will serve

as an important resource for supporting women’s involvement in the knowledge society,

helping to ensure that girls and women are prepared to compete for rewarding, high-paying

jobs in the technology sector.

exploring opportunities in Qatar while allowing local

enterprises to promote their value beyond Qatar.

Collaborative tools, such as chat, voice text, a regular

newsletter, and videos have been incorporated toenhance the Fahras Qatar experience.

Over the next year, ictQATAR will add exciting new

services to help Qatari SMEs compete. An innovation

center will incubate entrepreneurs and their start-up

companies for the crucial initial years. ictQATAR will

nurture small companies through this period, providing

mentoring as well as brick-and-mortar support, until

they are ready to enter the marketplace.

Over the past few years, Qatar’s ICT sector has

progressed rapidly. The country has made enormous

strides in developing and implementing ambitious ICT

programs and projects. But currently, Qatar

11



suffers from a dearth of people possessing specific

technological skills needed to ensure success of these

efforts. In order to build domestic IT capabilities,

entrepreneurship, and to develop SMEs throughout

the country, ictQATAR launched Malomatia, a com-

pany that delivers high-quality, specialized IT services

in education, government, healthcare, and the private

sector. Malomatia’s efforts will increase the level of

entrepreneurship in the IT sector and help it manage

a constantly evolving environment. Malomatia

plans to become a publicly traded company with the

goal of expanding its services regionally.

ictQATAR12



ICT in daily life



communications platform. Linking government

agencies safely and reliably is integral to streamlin-

ing processes, reducing inefficiencies, and providing

enhanced security for e-services. By standardizing

connectivity between government agencies, the

government network will allow higher utilization of

bandwidth than currently available—

especially

benefitting the health and education sectors.

Information between hospitals and from doctor to

doctor will be sent much faster through the network,

enhancing patient care and confidentiality. Schools

will also be better connected to one another and to

parents. Qtel will build and host the network.

In 2008, ictQATAR launched Hukoomi, a single portal

for all government transactions. Citizens, residents,and visitors conducted 1.4 million fast, easy transac-

tions by the end of 2008 through Hukoomi. More than

300 information services and more than 60 transaction

services are currently available and accessible online.

In 2009, a comprehensive usability evaluation of

Hukoomi was initiated to ensure users are getting the

government service and information access they need

as effectively as possible. Following completion of

the usability evaluation, Hukoomi will be enhanced to

bring users new helpful services and features,

and provide new channels and points of access for the

site, bringing government closer to its constituents.

Through the Hukoomi portal, businesses of all sizes

can take part in an automated government e-tendering

system. Launched in December with two pilot agen-

cies, government e-procurement enables the whole

Interacting withQatar’s government

Since 2006, a nationwide effort has been under way

to make government more effective and responsive to

the people it serves. This modernization effort, i-Gov,integrates and streamlines all services provided by

government agencies into a unified system. The goal

is to make all government interactions, information,

and transaction services available electronically

through a single access point for all users. Integration

and standardization of all government systems, infra-

structure, and processes will help achieve this goal.

Government entities have come together to advance

this sweeping reform. A new model of collaboration

involving the highest levels of government and a broad

range of stakeholders improves the chances of the

program’s success. This strong governance model also

allows for the participation of end-users in decision-

making processes and has resulted in a heightened

state of government e-readiness. In the World Economic

Forum’s Global Information Technology Report 2008–

2009, Qatar ranks 22nd in government readiness in

areas such as government prioritization of ICT, govern-

ment procurement of advanced technology products,

and importance of ICT to government’s vision of the

future. In government usage of ICT, Qatar ranks 25th.

To foster data communications across government,

ictQATAR is creating a government network to

directly connect Qatar’s government over a secure

ictQATAR14



tendering process, from evaluation to selection, to

take place online. Throughout 2009–10, the system

will be rolled out to other agencies. In addition to

making tendering more transparent, the online system

will increase efficiency by making it easier to update

tenders and submit documents.

In 2008, development of a new service was started

to provide essential information to residents and

businesses about customs clearance procedures. This

efficient and transparent customs clearance initiative

will be automated, paper-free, and streamlined. An

additional benefit to the new system will be one-stop

servicing for trade declaration approvals.

In an effort to make government more responsive,

a government contact center was also established.

People can reach any government entity by email,

phone, or fax through a single point of contact. Each

government agency will retain its own support and

customer service, and the government contact center

will connect the public with the right service. The

contact center will also provide support for Hukoomi’s

online services.

The future will bring more automated services. Thei-Gov program is in various stages of designing and

implementing new services, including recruitment

services and business setup services. A total of

17 i-Gov initiatives are currently in progress and an

additional 12 are planned for launch in 2010.

ictQATAR is running a public

awareness campaign along Doha’s

streets, in government buildings, and

on government websites encouraging

people to take advantage of thetime-saving, efficient government

information and transaction services

on Hukoomi—with a click!

Campaign to CLICK

152008 Annual Report



Engaging studentsin exciting ways

Building a world-class education system is critical to

Qatar’s progress. And at every grade level, ICT helps

students learn more creatively and effectively. Beyond

traditional classrooms, technology enables students

to gain new knowledge and skills.

Together with the Supreme Education Council (SEC),

ictQATAR engaged with school administrators, teach-

ers, and parents to look for the most effective ways

to integrate ICT into the learning process. An array

of e-education programs and projects means more

creative, stimulating, and innovative K–12 classrooms

as well as opportunities for adults to strengthen their

technology skills. The ultimate goal is to achieve

ICT-integrated independent schools that improve

students’ and teachers’ performance.

Knowledge Net

In partnership with the SEC, a three-way portal allows

students, teachers, and parents to share informationand catch up with a few clicks on the keyboard. With

personalized single sign-on and password protec-

tion, all members of the education community obtain

immediate, private access to information and commu-

nications applications. Those logged into Knowledge

Net (K-Net) can review lessons, study guides, and

homework assignments, and communicate directly

or through chats and discussion boards.

In 2008, the SEC and ictQATAR launched the second

phase of the project, with 37 independent schools—

and more than 40,000 individual users—now

participating. Phase Two rolled out new features that

will improve the experience of all users and support

student achievement. A teacher’s section now allows

classroom leaders to collaborate and exchange

More than 500 school leaders and teachers gathered in March 2009 for a

two-day conference, “Exploring ICT in Education.” ictQATAR partnered with

the College of the North Atlantic-Qatar to bring speakers from around the

world to Qatar, including experts from Australia, the UK, United States,

and South Africa, among others, to discuss best practices for integrating

technology in the education process in schools. Schools from Qatar shared

their experiences in using technology in the classroom and attendees

participated in hands-on workshops.

Sharing best practices from around the world

16



2008 Annual Report

lessons and experiences. A section for parents lets

them access student and school data. Additional

training was also provided to teachers to assist them

in integrating K-Net into their teaching.

Digital Oasis Schools

In partnership with the SEC, a pilot program is under

way at four independent schools—two middle schools

and two high schools—to drive classroom innovation

and creativity. These schools, Digital Oasis Schools,

are integrating technology in teaching and learning to

improve student outcomes and enhance the quality

of the student experience. These schools will become

a model for all schools in Qatar. The main objective

of the Digital Oasis schools is the development and

delivery of a learning environment that combines the

latest proven technology with progressive teaching

practices to create the best possible outcomes for all

learners in schools.

The Digital Oasis schools are achieving results by pro-

viding learners with a range of opportunities to learn

in a way that meets their individual needs, setting

targets for student attainment based on internationalstandards. Students and teachers have access to

appropriate technologies and information to support

student learning. Best practices are disseminated

across the network of independent schools in a way

that enhances the quality of learning in all schools.

Children and young adults had an opportunity to “Live Technology” in June, 2008 and

experience firsthand the benefits of ICT. ictQATAR, along with iSpot and RasGas, hosted an

interactive exhibition at the Villaggio Mall as part of its Promise of e campaign. Designed for

children ages 6 to 16, the exhibition provided an opportunity to see, hear, and feel the latest

technologies. Attendees participated in games, competitions, and hands-on lessons and

demonstrations. iSpot and RasGas donated computers, drawing pads, art supplies, gifts,

and prizes for the exhibition. The iSpot team also trained children on how to use the new Mac

iLife program in order to create movies, interactive presentations, and online drawings.

Technology lives!

17



Benefitting everyonethrough ICT

Everyone is entitled to equal access to the technolo-

gies that can enrich their lives. To help develop an

ICT-skilled workforce that can succeed in a knowledgeeconomy, ictQATAR launched its e-Inclusion program

in 2008. The program gives priority to disadvantaged

demographic groups, especially women, retirees, and

citizens with special needs.

The program’s goal is to elevate Qatar to the third

level of e-maturity as defined by the United Nations

Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia.

E-maturity takes into account the degree to which

citizens are familiar with technology and the extent

to which they use its applications in daily life.

Through 2009, the e-Inclusion program will develop

policies and procedures, strategic partnerships with

government agencies and the private sector, and

launch a national e-skills initiative.

e-Literacy

ICDL, the largest purveyor of computer skills certifica-

tion, provides computer training opportunities to

adults of all skill levels. In 2008, more than 1,200 men

and women participated in ICDL training to improve

their computing skills. Nearly 500 trainees werenon-working women, thanks to the collaboration of

the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, and nearly

500 were doctors and nurses at Hamad Medical

Corporation.

In collaboration with the Institution of Administration

Development, government and private sector

employees and non-working adults have the chance

to advance their careers without leaving their desk.

The e-Learning Portal offers users more than 4,000

online interactive courses that can each be completed

in less than four hours. Employees in government, the

non-profit sector, and underserved populations benefit

from audio and video simulations and demonstrations

in 29 discrete subject areas. These subjects include

computer skills, marketing, leadership, team-building,

and stress management. Easy to navigate, the courses

are offered in English, Arabic, and French.

ictQATAR18



Toward fairnessand equality

Empowering personswith disabilities

ictQATAR is implementing programs and policies to

ensure the promise of technology is for everyone. By

connecting people with disabilities to technologies

that will improve their lives, ictQATAR is helping those

with physical, emotional, or mental disabilities engage

more fully in society—in school, work, and civic life.

The entire community benefits as a result of fuller

engagement.

In 2008, as part of ictQATAR’s commitment to

provide universal access to people with disabilities,

www.ictQATAR.qa was enhanced to fully complywith the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Level

AA accessibility standards.

ictQATAR’s goal is to offer a website that is acces-

sible to the widest possible audience, regardless

of visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive impairments.

Working closely with the website’s developers, the

upgrade featured a full review of the existing website

code, updating items such as navigation links and

alternative image names. Multimedia content will be

accompanied by text descriptions to ensure that all

users will be able to understand the audio or visual

content, regardless of their impairments. Further

upgrades were also made to the content management

system used to maintain the site to ensure that all

future content is AA accessible.

In December 2008, ictQATAR marked

International Day for Persons with

Disabilities by sponsoring a forum on

assistive technologies. Technologies for

the visually impaired were showcased,and a panel addressed the needs and

aspirations of the disabled.




ictQATAR24

This year, ictQATAR also established the Assistive

Technology Working Group, a team of individuals

representing corporations and organizations com-

mitted to improving life for persons with disabilities.

The Working Group includes representation of the

Shafallah Center, the Al-Noor Institute for the Blind,

and the Qatar Society for Rehabilitation of People

with Special Needs.

One direct result of the Working Group’s efforts is

the recently announced plan to create a Center for

Assistive Technology. The Center will be a non-profit

organization devoted to ensuring that persons with

disabilities in Qatar have access to the technology

that will enrich their lives. The Center will bring

together key industry partners and will serve as a

catalyst for research and development of assistive

technologies, create public awareness around best

practices, and coordinate existing efforts in Qatar.

Advancing Qatar’sgoal of world-classhealthcare for all

Qatar is investing in a state-of-the-art healthcare

system to ensure excellent patient care and enhanced

clinician efficiency. Information and communication

technology has the potential to revolutionize health-

care, and ictQATAR’s e-Health program is working to

bring such benefits to Qatar’s medical community.

In collaboration with its national partners, the Supreme

Council of Health and Hamad Medical Corporation,

ictQATAR is implementing a national e-health strategy

that will allow for a coordinated healthcare system

in both primary and secondary care. As part of this

strategy, ictQATAR developed an ICT infrastructure

blueprint for new hospitals in Qatar, so that the latest

technologies will be seamlessly integrated.

“Connected Speakers” share ideas

To address some of the hottest issues on how technology is changing our lives, ictQATAR is

bringing global and regional thought leaders to Qatar. As part of the Connected Speakers

Series, the first speaker was INSEAD professor Soumitra Dutta. Dr. Dutta shared insights from

his latest book, Throwing Sheep in the Boardroom. He discussed how businesses must be

prepared to embrace a socially networked generation. Dr. Soumitra also addressed the Web 2.0

revolution and how social networking is changing the way we work, communicate, and play.



To deliver many of the national e-health projects,

including the electronic health record (EHR) and

picture archive and communications system (PACS),

a fast, reliable, and secure network is required. The

healthcare system in Qatar will be one of the primary

users of ictQATAR’s government network currently

under construction. The EHR will provide a central

point for sharing of important patient information in a

timely manner—often providing the crucial seconds

needed to save lives. PACS will allow for the easy

sharing and quick access to digital medical images,

such as x-rays and radiology images.

ictQATAR is also working closely with Hamad Medical

Corporation (HMC) on the implementation of itse-health strategy. HMC currently provides nearly 85

percent of patient care in Qatar. As part of HMC’s

strategy, a voice dictation system was introduced,

allowing medical information to be recorded correctly,

reducing the chances for mistakes in treatment. With

the first phase of the new system completed and 500

doctors trained in its use, inpatient and outpatient

departments are using a fully integrated transcription

service that captures medical data in a standard

format that matches local and GCC requirements.

By the end of 2009, the emergency room at theHMC main hospital will showcase state-of-the-art

technology at work, providing doctors and healthcare

providers with nearly instant information to make

crucial clinical decisions. As a result of faster pro-

cesses, emergency room patients will benefit from

a better experience while healthcare workers and

clinicians have the information they need, at the

moment they need it.

ictQATAR will provide strategic direction and guidance

to the health information technology team at Sidra

Medical and Research Center as it transitions into

a state-of-the-art digital facility. Sidra will be the

first academic medical center in the region offering

specialty care for women and children.

Keeping connected

Every month, ictQATAR sends more than 4,000 subscribers a bilingual

electronic newsletter filled with news and trends about the impact

of ICT in Qatar and the region. The audience includes business and

non-profit leaders and managers, the education community, regulators,

IT professionals, and government employees—all learning how

technology can improve their work and personal lives.




Protecting Qatar againstcyber threats

In Qatar, information security and safety of online

users is paramount. To that end, the Qatar Computer

Emergency Response Team (Q-CERT), the country’s

center for information security, is at the heart of

ictQATAR’s comprehensive National Information

Assurance Program to safeguard the country’s infor-

mation systems and data.

Q-CERT works with the private and public sectors

to protect Qatar’s infrastructure and to immediately

address security incidents when they occur. Q-CERT

also helps identify and solve issues that may threaten

an organization’s internal security.

Q-CERT has developed a framework of policies and

standards for information privacy and protection

of critical information infrastructure. These crucial

systems keep the country operating—finance and

banking, water supply, healthcare facilities, telecom-

munications, and government. Q-CERT is holding

working group meetings for IT leaders and managers

in key industries to improve understanding of national

security risks. It also provides training in how to

obtain and preserve digital evidence of cybercrime.

No nation functions alone in our global economy.

Q-CERT collaborates with peer organizations

throughout the region and the world to discover risks

originating elsewhere, and to share expertise,

challenges, ideas, and successes.

A priority for ictQATAR is protecting children on the

Internet. In collaboration with the Supreme Education

Council, ictQATAR sponsors workshops for educators

in both Arabic and English. Driven by the goal of

promoting security awareness, the workshops help

teachers develop ways to present security concerns

to students in an age-appropriate fashion. Teachers

also learn how to partner with families to protect

children in cyberspace.

Looking ahead, ictQATAR will work with the SEC, the

Supreme Council of Family Affairs, and the ITU to

create cyber curricula for schools, designed to help

teachers and learners use the Internet safely.

ictQATAR22



With Web 2.0 and social media transforming the way people interact and communicate,

ictQATAR has become involved in a wide array of social networks.

Active in 14 social media outlets in both English and Arabic, ictQATAR has built a network

of more than 1,400 friends on the social networking sites Facebook and Twitter. Friends

receive the latest ictQATAR news, events, and technology trends. They have become

part of the greater ICT community in Qatar, often initiating their own technology-related

conversations, commenting on policies and “re-tweeting” ictQATAR tweets to their network

of friends. A number of friends even send tweets in real time from ictQATAR events.

Photos from events are uploaded to Flickr. Photos as well as news and updates are

promoted and shared virally through Digg and Delicious sites. Videos of ictQATAR events,

exclusive interviews with thought leaders, advertisements and public service announce-

ments are posted to YouTube and then promoted through a variety of other social networks.

Based on the quality of its content, ictQATAR was granted a special exception to include

longer videos online by YouTube, one of the few organizations in Qatar with this exception.

ictQATAR is also tapping into the rich online communities that already exist in Qatar, such as

Qatar Living. News of ictQATAR often shows up on the homepage of this most-visited site in

the country. And participation on Qatar Shares, a widely visited online Arabic forum, drives

people to ictQATAR’s website.

Engaging throughsocial media



Communication Office

Strategic Planning

Finance

Human Capital

and Administration

Secretary General

Legal Advisor

Internal Audit

ictQATAR organization

ictQATAR is structured to reflect its key functions,

enabling it to best realize Qatar’s ICT vision,

strategy, and master plan.

The Secretary General leads ictQATAR, with

a board of directors responsible for overseeing

policy, performance, and compliance with

laws and regulations.

ictQATAR24



Market

Development

and Knowledge

Management

ICT

Development

Programs

Government

Information

Management

Office

Regulatory

Authority

Cyber Safety

and Security

Technical

Affairs

Government

IT Platforms

e-Inclusion

Infrastructure

Development

Enterprise

Development

Legal

Government

IT Operations

e-Health

Knowledge

Management

Policy and

Economic

Policy and

Program

e-Education

ICT Sector

Development






ictQATAR is located in Al Nasr Tower,

Al Corniche Street, Doha - Qatar

Phone: +974-499-5333

Fax: +974-493-5913

Email: [email protected]

P.O. Box: 23264 Doha, Qatar

www.ictQATAR.qa

Documents

ictQATAR's 2008 Annual Report