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Information
and communications technology (ICT) is one of the world's strongest,
fastest growing economic sectors. The foundation for telecommunications,
electronics, computing, medicine, advanced materials and manufacturing
industries, ICT is projected to grow at a rate of nine per cent
over the next 10 to 15 years, to an estimated worth of $2 trillion.
In
November 1998, the Information
and Communications Technology - A Strategy for Alberta was
tabled in the Legislature. The ICT strategy suggests that Alberta
could:
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Increase its share of the worldwide ICT market from 0.3% to 0.5%
by 2010.
-
Employ 140 000 people.
- Offer
an extensive, affordable, high-speed infrastructure.
- Attract
more than $1.5 billion annually in research and development investment.
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Generate annual revenues of $30 billion in Alberta.
Since
ASRA released its ICT strategy, various groups in both private and
public sectors have embraced the strategy and are putting it to
good use. This direction has opened doors to progressive collaboration
between all areas of government and the private sector in each of
the four pillars identified in the ICT strategy. These pillars include
education, infrastructure, research and development and growth:
Investing
in education: ASRA is making sure the talent within the
province’s borders receives the support it deserves. In response
to ASRA’s recommendation, the Government of Alberta invested
$51 million through Alberta Learning’s Access Fund to double
the number of training spaces in ICT programs in Alberta’s
universities, public colleges, technical institutes and publicly
funded, accredited private colleges. Part of this investment has
been used to develop ICT buildings at the University of Alberta,
the University of Calgary, the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. These high-quality
facilities will help focus greater national and international attention
on Alberta. Meanwhile, Alberta Learning is also creating educational
opportunities through ICT-focused curricula and programs.
Developing
an ICT infrastructure: Alberta
SuperNet represents the most significant achievement
to date in establishing new ICT infrastructure in the province.
Developed in response to ASRA's vision to connect Albertans to the
world, SuperNet will provide affordable, high-speed network connections
and Internet access to all libraries, schools, hospitals, and provincial
government offices throughout the province, connecting 4,700 facilities
in 422 communities within three years.
Investing
in world-class research and development: ASRA’s
ICT strategy has served as a catalyst to effectively bring bright
minds together. The Government of Alberta recently signed a Memorandum
of Understanding with Singapore to develop relationships
between Alberta’s and Singapore’s brightest and best ICT
researchers. Similarly, the Banff
International Research Station for Mathematical Innovation
and Discovery is a collaborative Canada-U.S. venture that will create
an environment where mathematical scientists can do “blue sky”
thinking, exchange ideas and knowledge, and develop methods within
mathematical and other related sciences.
Encouraging
ICT business: Individuals from some of the world’s
leading ICT organizations will continue to partner with the Alberta
government to oversee and advise the government on implementing
strategies in the ICT sector. These individuals make up ASRA’s
ICT Implementation Committee
and are responsible for both the strategic and operational aspects
of the province’s ICT strategy. Through the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology, they advise the Government of Alberta on how best to
implement the province’s ICT strategy. ASRA’s ICT Implementation
Committee will continue to look at expanding priority areas for
the future, including e-learning, e-health, e-government, e-commerce
and wireless communication.
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