The 6th al-Sham exhibition of information, communications
Syria, Politics, 4/27/2000

Since its foundation in 1989, the Syrian Computer Society has aimed to actively introduce information technology into the various economic sectors in Syria. The Syrian Computer Society, among other things, aims at diffusing computer literacy through its several conferences, lectures, scientific seminars and exhibitions as well as in embarking on a policy of conducting research and studies. Added to all these the society produces specialized television programs and publications in the area of the IT.

However, the number of members of the SCS is increasing all over the Syrian provinces. Each of the SCS's branches all over the country organizes its own local activities, including seminars, workshops, lectures and exhibitions so as to ensure best utilization of the IT.

In 1994, the first al-Sham international conference was held under the patronage of President Hafez al-Assad by the SCS. It was organized in memory of the founder of the SCS, the late Bassel al-Assad.

The conference concentrated on IT applications in management. Research from Arab and foreign countries and international organizations concerned took place. They include Syria, Jordan, Algeria, the UK, India, the USA, Greece, Tunisia, Russia, France Lebanon, Egypt, Holland, UNESCO, ESCWA, (Economic and Social for Committee West Asia) and the International federation of libraries.

However, the society's annual exhibition of information and telecommunications technologies has become one of the most important regional exhibitions and number one in Syria. It is mostly known for being specialized in presenting the best and latest systems, software, applications, networking and Internet applications.

The exhibition increasingly witnesses a great turnout of visitors and is known for its good organization, diversity of participation, backing of individual initiative and inventions, the lectures organized on the sidelines of its various activities and the intensive media coverage of this event.

By now, the exhibition has become as an important IT meeting place in availing the visitor with an excellent opportunities to become acquainted with IT applications.

The number of visitors has been greatly increased annually. This number increased from 25,000 visitors to "Sham 96," to 32,000 in "Sham 1997," to 44,000 in Sham 1998," and to 58,000 visitors in 1999. The number of visitors is expected to exceed 70,000 for the current year.

Simultaneously, the area allotted for the exhibition expanded from 2,000 square meters in 1996 to 7,000 in 1997, 20,000 square meters in 1998 and 30,000 in 1999, while it is 36,000 square meters for this year.

Besides Arab and international companies the exhibition is attended by several ministries, public sector establishments, universities, research centers and private companies that have displayed to the public their latest IT communications and applications.

What is remarkable for the 6th al-Sham exhibition of information and communications is that the Syrian Scientific Society SCS, together with the Lebanese ICT organize a symposium to be held both in Damascus and Beirut, respectively.

The Lebanese ICT groups represent the following organizations and institutions: The central government sectors, Lebanese universities, information and trade societies, chambers of commerce, industry and agriculture, information and the legislation societies.

The symposium, which was convened on April 25, will last for four days, two in Damascus and the other two in Beirut. It will discuss topics on "modern technologies in informatics and communications," "the society and the technology of informatics and communications," "the age of informatics and its relations to Arab culture and heritage, its social impact and reflections on morals," and above all the symposium will look at cooperation prospects in the area of ICT between Syria and Lebanon.

Among the many contributions of the SCS in serving social and scientific objectives, a new initiative was worked upon to provide for setting up a numbering system to identifying every house, every building, on every street, in every city or village in Syria. This project is carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Administration. The ministry has already adopted the postal code project, and it will be implemented and put into operation by the postal service.

For scientific promotion services, the society has put together the national program for diffusing IT. This program was set in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. The program was entitled "IT for All" and was put into actual implementation as of July 12. It consists of a series of free computer training courses to various social strata all over the country. The curricula included an introduction to computers and computer hardware, operating systems, algorithms, data bases, programming and the use of public office automation applications, such as text editors.

The number of people who have already received training has reached 120,000 trainees, and it is anticipated that this number will exceed 60,000 trainees annually.

Another effective achievement by the society, is the set university program for diffusing IT. In 1999, the SCS launched the university program for diffusing IT, in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education. The program provides free training courses in IT applications, relating to all disciplines taught at the university level, to be taught both to university students and graduates. Some 12,500 trainees from the four universities of Damascus, Aleppo, Tishreen and al-Baath have so far made use of this program. Very soon this program will run specialized courses in different domains. These include medicine, engineering, graphic design, social and legal sciences, linguistics and management.

All these activities and similar others are in line with presidential decree no. 152 for developing IT curricula.

This decree stated that at least one IT course subject should be introduced in all faculties, departments and higher institutes in Syria. Also in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, the SCS is actively working to this effect.

It's worth noting that Internet access in Syria is still limited and is not available to the public at large except in a very few locations.

Previous Stories:
  Bashar al-Assad opens Sham 2000 IT exposition   (4/25/2000)
  Bashar al-Assad participates in Lebanese - Syrian symposium on developing the Internet   (4/10/2000)
  Damascus hosts EU -Arab workshop on electronic commerce   (1/25/1999)

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