Bill Gates to be keynote speaker at IT conference

Microsoft founder Bill Gates will be the keynote speaker during the global conference on Information and Communication Technologies Development (ICTD) to held at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar from April 17 to 19.

Gates, who is also co-chairman of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will be addressing some 300 expected participants at the three-day conference. The other important speaker will be Carlos A Primo Braga, Director of Economic Policy and Debt at the World Bank. Experts who will give presentations at the conference come from different sectors, including governments, academia, start-ups, large corporations, inter-government organisations, and non-governmental bodies.

The Supreme Council of Information, Communications and Technology (ictQATAR) is participating as organising sponsor and ictQATAR Secretary General Dr Hessa Al Jaber is serving as honorary chair for the conference.

“We are seeing the tremendous societal and economic impact ICT can have right here in Qatar. I am excited to welcome the leading scholars in the field of ICT and development to Doha and eager to participate in meaningful discussions on these important issues,” said Dr Hessa.

Academics and scholarly practitioners from around the world will be coming to discuss the latest research and thinking on the role and impact of ICT in international development.

The conference will have numerous presentations of research and papers, along with engaging workshops and panel discussions. Topics covered range from digital literacy for low income workers to ICT in higher education, educational games to e-government projects. Numerous best practice case studies will be also presented. ictQATAR will be leading a panel discussion on assistive technologies in developing countries. “Assistive technologies have enjoyed a sustained evolution in developed countries, leading to enhanced accessibility and availability of such technologies benefiting those with disabilities,” said Dr Yasir Khan, Clinical Adviser to the e-health program at ictQATAR.

ictQATAR has made assistive technologies a priority for 2009. In December 2008, ictQATAR hosted a forum on assistive technologies to mark the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities” and also upgraded its website to meet international accessibility standards.

Original article from: The Peninsula

New study to look into root cause of TB in Qatar

A study which will look into the root cause of tuberculosis among Qataris and long-time residents will soon commence in Qatar, Gulf Times has learnt.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on the level of TB infections in Qatar and the means of curtailing the disease, the co-ordinator of the national TB programme, Dr Abdullatif al-Khal said the study would hopefully trace the epidemiology of TB among Qataris and residents, how it is being transmitted and ways of uprooting the cause.
“We are at the planning stage of the research and no further information is available yet, but we hope to use the study to get to the root cause of TB infections in the country, especially among labourers and housemaids,” he said.
However, the doctor noted that even though tuberculosis is highly controllable and costs less to treat, the disease is still spreading fast and wide with around 100,000 deaths per year worldwide.
“The spread of TB hinges on many reasons such as poverty, poor hygiene, over-crowding, lack of political and public interest, lack of commitment and poor nutrition, especially among the poor, as well as lack of information as high risk group, who should benefit from TB control messages, are either difficult to reach or there is language barrier,” observed the doctor.
Dr Al-Khal, who is also the head of the TB Unit at Rumailah Hospital, stressed that TB is a highly communicable disease because it is air-borne. It can spread through persistence coughs for weeks and even months and could be transmitted to others before diagnosis.
“Last year, we screened about 1,853 people we believed had come in contact with TB patients before diagnosis and of this number, 400 were found with the bacteria and preventive treatment was quickly administered to them,” he disclosed.
He lamented that the worst part was the increase in cases of multiple drug resistance TB bacteria accounting for 5% of the total burden on healthcare budget, while noting that the overall incidence of TB in Qatar’s population is 35 per 100,000.
“Our intention is to bring the incidence to the lowest level and we have recorded success among Qataris and stable residents, while the most challenging part still remains with the labourers coming into the country in droves,” he said.
“The multiple drug resistant TB is very expensive and difficult to treat and the death rate is higher than in normal active TB. Also another fraction of this particular type of TB called extensively or extremely multi-drug resistance TB was found among labourers for the first time in Qatar last year,” he said.
The doctor said that in 2008, out of a total 567 cases of active TB including five multi drug resistance, three labourers found with extensively multi drug resistance had since being repatriated to avoid spreading the bacteria to others, because it has ‘no cure’ at present.
He said that of the total number of cases recorded last year only 4% or 24 cases were Qataris, while in 2007, out of 399 TB cases, 17 were Qataris, multi-drug resistance only six cases while majority of cases were found among Southeast Asian population.
However, the official maintained that the policy of the health ministry to deport newcomers found with TB does not affect residents diagnosed with the disease.
“People contract both fractions of TB if they do not cure themselves totally of the disease at first contact,” he said.

Original Article from: Gulf Times

Arab-S American meet to tackle financial crisis

The second Arab-South American countries summit, which is to be held in Doha tomorrow, is expected to seek a joint mechanism to deal with the global financial crisis as well as enhance joint investment and co-operation between the two blocs.
HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani will address the opening session of the summit along with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, who is also the head of the Union of South American nations, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva.
Among the other South American leaders who will be attending the meeting is Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez and the President of Argentina Cristina Elisabet Fern?ndez de Kirchner.
The Arab-South American meeting is due to start immediately after the closing session of the Arab Summit Meeting starting today.
Earlier this month, HE Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs chaired a joint meeting between Arab foreign ministers and their counterparts from 12 South American nations at the Arab League in Cairo where they discussed the Doha draft declaration, which is expected to be approved by the leaders of the participating nations.
The Doha declaration will focus on promoting trade ties between the two groups and looking into ways to deal with the financial crisis.
Nabil bin Ali, an analyst at the Algeria Radio, said that the two regions, which are separated geographically, are looking for ways to find new markets and go beyond their traditional partners.
“Although the volume of trade between the two groups is relatively low, they hope they can open untraditional markets and focus on economic issues. It is important for South American nations, who are generally adopting anti-American stances to find partners in the Middle East countries,” he told Gulf Times.
However, Bin Ali saw the recent meeting between US President Barack Obama and the Brazilian president, whose country has aspirations for playing a leading regional role on the international stage and securing a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, as dimming the hopes for the meeting.
“Brazil is a giant player among the group, and in case it lowers its support for promoting the ties between the two regions, the group may lose much of its lustre,” he added.
About the political aspect of the Doha draft declaration, Bin Ali said that President Chavez of Venezuela might get a hero’s reception in the Middle East thanks to his recent stance on the 22-day Israeli war on Gaza Strip when Venezuela dismissed the Israeli ambassador in support of Gaza.
The first meeting that brought the leaders of the two regions together was held in Brazil in 2005.

Original article from: Gulf Times

Qatar boosts ICT standing

Proof of the country’s efforts to embrace information and communication technology (ICT)bearing fruit can be found in the *Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009: Qatar has moved three places up, securing 29th position.
The annual report, released by the World Economic Forum and INSEAD, is the world’s most comprehensive international assessment of the impact of ICT on nations’ development and international competitiveness.

This year the report has surveyed 134 developed and developing economies, which account for more than 98% of world GDP (gross domestic product).
Last year’s report surveyed 127 countries. The cornerstone of the report is the Networked Readiness Index. In the 2008-2009 Index, Qatar rose to the 29th place from the 32nd position among 127 surveyed nations in 2007-2008. The preceding period, 2006-2007, Qatar was ranked 36th. In 2005-2006, when Qatar was included in the global assessment for the first time, the country was ranked 39th.

The Networked Readiness Index examines how prepared countries are in the use of ICT in three areas:- n General business, regulatory and infrastructure environment for ICT
n Readiness of government, individuals, and businesses to use and benefit from ICT
n The actual usage of available ICT by these stakeholder groups. The report underscores that good education fundamentals, innovation, and wide ICT access are key to nations’ social growth and economic competitiveness. “Since 2006, Qatar has improved its standing in the index because both the public and private sectors are dedicated to leveraging ICT to help Qatar achieve its leadership role in the global economy - even as more competitor countries have been added to the survey,” said ictQATAR secretary-general Dr Hessa al-Jaber.
“But most importantly, our efforts are benefiting people of all ages and income levels, throughout the country,” she added.

The only other country from the Arab region in the top 30 economies is the United Arab Emirates, ranking two places ahead of Qatar, at 27. Denmark ranks first in the world, as it did last year. Portugal follows Qatar on the list, at 30th place. Qatar’s government readiness and usage of ICT has witnessed a leap this year. The report indicated that Qatar is ranked 22nd in government readiness. “Government readiness” covers areas like government prioritisation of ICT, government procurement of advanced technology products, and importance of ICT to government vision of the future. In government usage, Qatar is ranked 25th. “Government usage” covers areas like government success in ICT promotion, availability of government online services, ICT use and government efficiency and presence of ICT in government offices.
The ictQATAR’s accomplishments since its establishment in 2005 include opening the country’s mobile and fixed line telecoms sectors to competition, launching Hukoomi, the easy-to-use online gateway to government information and services, and implementing programmes to help students of all ages learn.

“With the exciting programmes we have underway in ICT sector development, government, literacy, and telecommunications liberalisation, we are confident ICT will continue to benefit all those who live and work here,” Dr al-Jaber said. In May, ictQATAR will release a comprehensive landscape assessment that details ICT adoption sector by sector and examines its impact.

Original article from : Gulf Times

Emir: Qatar keen to invest in German auto industry

BERLIN: Qatar has plans to invest in Germany, and has not ruled out a possible stake in ailing carmaker Opel, the Emir HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani said yesterday. “We will definitely invest in Germany,” the Emir told weekly Spiegel news magazine.

The Emir said the global economic crisis was a good opportunity to invest in Europe’s largest economy. “The Germans count as the most industrious workers of the world, they will fight for their economy,” the Emir said.

Sheikh Hamad said Qatar had an eye on Germany’s car sector. “It is certain that we will invest in the German car industry, but we need to find the right time and the right price to do so. It makes sense to become involved in a car manufacturer such as Opel or Daimler, since cars are sold worldwide,” the Emir added.

Sheikh Hamad said he wanted to ensure that the state’s wealth outlived its oil resources. “Long-term, I see Qatar as more of an education centre than energy supplier.” Qatar, the Emir said, was just entering into discussions with British universities, but he said “Germany could approach us in a more engaged manner”.

On Qatar’s relations with its Middle East neighbours, the Emir made it clear they had no enemies. “We would never side with America against Iran, for example,” the Emir said adding, “Iran has never caused us problems.”

The Emir also explained why his country opposed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir. “If something happens to Al Bashir and chaos erupted in Sudan, all of Africa will descend into chaos,” he said, adding that the only people to benefit would be Al Qaeda. He said Qatar continued to believe in a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, and would continue to allow high ranking Israelis to visit the state. “We have no dark intentions, we are just giving our opinions. And we want peace,” the Emir said.

Original Article from: THE PENINSULA