Third Annual Global Forum
American University of Armenia
November 20-23, 2007
In Partnership with UN GAID
Over 300 college students and young professionals from Armenia, the Region, and around the world convened at the American University of Armenia in Yerevan, Armenia on November 19-23, 2007 to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with ensuring sustainable growth in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and hi-tech through the higher education curricula in developing and developed nations.
The four-day event focused on the following objectives:
- Introduction and review of the various opportunities and challenges associated with the incorporation of ICTs and hi-tech related curricula in institutions of higher learning and education
- Challenges and opportunities faced by the private sector in the recruitment of individuals for the hi-tech market
- Analysis of innovative ways to further strengthen and develop private sector-university partnerships in an effort to overcome the digital divide
The participants examined these challenges through the prism of incorporating ICTs and other hi-tech related education into mainstream educational curricula.
One of the primary objectives of each Forum is to produce a resolution that identifies and suggests alternative strategies for addressing the challenges posed by the present digital divide between developing and developed countries.
The participants took part in series of highly interactive sessions, which included:
- Presentations from international development experts
- Participation in group presentations and debates examining and analyzing ICTs and development
- Panel discussions by diplomats and business professionals about strategic development in education, economic, and business sectors
- Breakout sessions debating and negotiating viable methods of incorporating ICTs in development
- Social events with diplomats, corporate executives, and Foreign Service officials
- Networking opportunities with young professionals and diplomats
Speakers introduced the current environment of implementing ICT-related education into mainstream higher education institutions, reviewed the various opportunities and challenges associated with the incorporation of ICT-related curricula in the institutions of higher learning and education, reviewed the challenges and opportunities faced by the private sector in recruitment of individuals for the hi-tech market, and suggested ways to further strengthen and develop private sector-university partnerships to overcome the digital divide.
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