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Bridge Builders African Experiences With Information and Communication Technology (1996) / Chapter Skim
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CONCLUSION
Pages 273-280

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From page 273...
... The case study authors demonstrate that, while many of these problems still remain, they have taken positive steps to resolve others. Those information technologies and services that had been identified in Nairobi as most appropriate-CD-ROM, desktop publishing, electronic networking, and the collection, management, and dissemination of local information resourcesare beginning to be adopted across the continent and their benefits can be seen throughout the research community.
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From page 274...
... Agnes Katama and Alex Tindimubona discuss their efforts to put their scientific presses on a sustainable footing by instituting sound business practices. Public/private partnerships are another solution for chronic funding problems and Neil Robinson discusses how ZAMNET was developed as a private company to provide Internet services.
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From page 275...
... Since African scientists face diminishing avenues of publication, Xavier Carelse, Alex Tindimubona, Albina Kasango, and Agnes Katama tackled this problem by improving the quality of local publishing houses through desktop publishing. John Villars and Ermias Dagne take a slightly different approach in their case studies.
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From page 276...
... The deterioration of libraries due to poor storage conditions and lack of foreign currency to maintain journal subscriptions contributed to a serious underuse of information resources. Such low expectations on the part of researchers had to be overcome by aggressive marketing techniques.
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From page 277...
... Organizations such as the National Research Council and the American Association for the Advancement of Science also played enabling roles by helping with proposal writing, providing technical advice to the authors, and convening frequent meetings so project managers could learn new skills, share ideas, and foster collaboration. LESSONS LEARNED An examination of the case studies as a whole reveals several common conclusions that can be summarized quite briefly here.
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From page 278...
... Still needed are venues at which these lessons can be identified and discussed with others. Networks, professional associations, trade shows, and other events provide an appropriate meeting ground where project managers can discuss the choice of suitable technologies, get help in defining needs for information products and services, offer technical assistance to others, and share information about information services and technologies.
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From page 279...
... Then, perhaps, they will choose to help by working with these "bridge builders" and the many, many others whom they represent.
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Key Terms

  • james muttunga
  • communication technologies
  • helga patrikios
  • desktop publishing
  • information resources

  • neil robinson
  • local information
  • xavier carelse
  • information service
  • nairobi conference

  • poor collection
  • african countries
  • john newa
  • african scientists
  • alex tindimubona

  • authors found
  • enabling environment
  • albina kasango
  • agnes katama
  • electronic mail

  • regina shakakata
  • information services
  • information products
  • bridge builders
  • paulos nyirenda

  • conferences improved
  • publishing houses
  • publish digests
  • builders takes
  • poor information


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