The first ever ITU-D Academia Network meeting held in Geneva on Friday 11 September 2015 unanimously agreed to publish an ITU Scientific Journal which will focus on emerging challenges and issues in the telecommunication/ICT sector.
Discussing possible themes for future issues of the Journal, the meeting agreed to establish an Editorial Board to look into the following three topics: ICTs for sustainable development, bridging the digital divide and best practices in the ICT sector.
It was also agreed that ITU will serve as a platform to foster the collaboration between Academia and industry Sector Members including the identification of Members who can contribute to support academic research. Further, topical issues discussed at ITU, among them policy and regulatory matters, would be incorporated into academic programmes in order to transmit to younger generations the wealth of knowledge generated through ITU work.
Mr Brahima Sanou, Director of the ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) said, “our cooperation with Academia will go a long way towards supporting the development of a vibrant ICT sector and making a different in people’s lives.”
Mr Sanou announced that BDT will, in collaboration with ITU Academia Members, carry out a global study on the socio-economic impact of ICTs and that the results could be presented at the next World Telecommunication Development Conference in 2017.
Dr Chaesub Lee, Director of the ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, highlighted the importance of the work carried out by Academia, Universities and Research Institutes. He said the Academia Network meeting will, “further enrich the wealth of initiatives that are blossoming following the decision of the Plenipotentiary Conference to open wide the doors of the Union to Academia, Universities and their associated Research Institutes.”
Professor Ahmad Sharafat, Chairman of ITU-D Study Group 2, noted that the publication of an ITU Journal will “advance the organizations professional position, impact, and visibility through sharing, promoting, and fostering development of telecommunication/ICT innovations, solutions, and applications.”
The Academia Network meeting provided a platform for Academia Members to network, connect and together build a concrete action plan to actively contribute to improving socio-economic development in the converged ICT ecosystem.
The International Telecommunication Union’s Plenipotentiary Conference held in 2014 recognized the important role and valuable input that academia, universities and their associated research establishments can provide to the work of the three Sectors of the ITU. In accordance with Resolution 169 (Rev. Busan, 2014), with the exception of some treaty-level conferences ITU Academia Members are now invited to participate in global and regional conferences, workshops and activities of the Union.
Click here to see video highlights from the 1st ITU-D Academia Network Meeting
