• What is the vision of ictQATAR?
• What is ICT anyway, and why is it important to a nation?
• What changes will liberalization of the telecom sector bring to Qatar?
• How does ictQATAR help students, teachers, and parents?
• How are other agencies cooperating with ictQATAR?
• How will ictQATAR help drive economic development?
• What is i-Gov?  How does i-Gov advance the process of democracy?
• How does ictQATAR fuel our nation's ambitions?

1. What is the vision of ictQATAR?

ictQATAR supports our nation's vision by connecting people to the technologies that  enrich their lives and inspire confidence in the future.  We are partnering with other ministries and with the private sector to offer programs that benefit all who live and work in Qatar.  Whether we help make the classroom experience more creative or deepen the technical skills of professional men and women, our goal is to make conducting business and living life easier, more efficient, and fuller. 

Our goals are ambitious - we see a day when every school in Qatar is connected, every patient can monitor his or her medical progress in real time, and every citizen has the information technology communication skills to benefit from online information and services.  After two years, some programs are underway and we look forward to launching many more over the next few years.  
 

In infinite ways, ICT will propel Qatar to a position of economic leadership and make possible the personal and professional dreams of individuals. 

2. What is ICT anyway, and why is it important to a nation?

ICT stands for Information and Communication Technology.  It means all the uses of digital technology that help individuals, businesses, and organizations use information.
 

Any country that aspires to thrive in the global economy of the 21st century must develop its ICT sector.  Leaders understand that ICT supports and deepens every aspect of national life -- education of children and adults, the health of everybody from infant to octogenarian, economic opportunities for all-sized businesses.  ICT's potential is truly boundless.  

3. What changes will liberalization of the telecom sector bring to Qatar?

The experience of countries throughout the world has proven that when providers compete with one another, consumers win. 

Choice will bring to customers in Qatar - as it has to other markets - improved service, lower rates, increased investment and innovative new products and services.  All this will make Qatar an even more attractive place to do business. 
  

As regulator, ictQATAR is committed to transparency, fairness, and openness throughout and beyond the liberalization process.  

4. How does ictQATAR help students, teachers, and parents?

We are collaborating with the Supreme Education Council to bring the world into classrooms in Qatar.  Some programs, such as eSchoolbag - individual, content-crammed computers that help students learn independently and creatively - are still in the pilot phase.  Others, like Global Gateway, benefit many teachers and students who partner online with classrooms around the globe to deepen and expand learning.  Our goal at ictQATAR is to make sure that every classroom has equal access to ICT to make learning vibrant, creative, and long-lasting.  We also believe it is extremely important to connect parents to teachers and the learning experience so they can play an active role in their children's education.
   

One of the major benefits of ICT is that it allows lifelong learning.  We are working with the Institute of Administration Development and International Computer Driving License Program  to help adults to continually expand and deepen their professional skills and fulfill their intellectual curiosity. 

5. How are other agencies cooperating with ictQATAR?

We have partnered on programs and projects with government entities and other organizations.  For example, together with the Ministers of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture, we established three wireless parks in Doha.  Now, people living, working, or visiting Doha can open their laptop and access the world - at no cost. 

Through our integrated e-government services (i-Gov), we will be working with virtually every agency and ministry in the country. We look forward to this collaboration.
 

6. How will ictQATAR help drive economic development?

Our country has been blessed with abundant natural resources.  But we believe that our future economic success depends as much on how we harness technology than on the oil and gas industries.  Like all leading nations around the world, Qatar recognizes that ICT is transforming business.  Technology empowers people with good ideas to achieve enormous success while helping businesses and organizations of all sizes to heighten efficiency and better compete.  We want to be on the leading edge of this historic change. 
     

Telecom liberalization is the first step to diversifying our economy and spurring innovation. New products and services at fair prices will be the result of competition.  An open market will invite investment, and make our country an even better place to establish a business presence. 

 ictQATAR is devising programs to help business owners learn and hone their skills to fully benefit from technology.  We are developing programs to help small and medium-sized businesses compete against larger firms for government contracts.  We will provide a platform for e-bidding for such contracts.

 

7. What is i-Gov?  How does i-Gov advance the process of democracy?

ictQATAR is working with agencies and councils across the government to provide the public with fast, easy access to important information and services.  This program, i-Gov, which stands for integrated e-government services, will build on the success of Qatar's current government e-services program to broaden efficient, transparent online services and involve individuals and businesses in the policies that affect their daily lives.  
 

In a democracy, it is imperative that all citizens have open and equal access to information. In order to make informed decisions, citizens must know their rights and fully understand every aspect of critical issues.  The free flow of information that supports i-Gov will allow citizens to know the stakes of policies and issues.   

8. How does ictQATAR fuel our nation's ambitions?

We at ictQATAR are fortunate to play a role in helping this country attain its aspirations.  As we stand on the threshold of a new century, Qatar's possibilities seem limitless - and ICT's life-changing potential is infinite.  That combination is history in the making.  We are thankful to be part of it.