EDUCATION ' THE TIMES ARE CHANGING '

JAPAN UNIVERSITY HELPS SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL WITH ICT

By Xinghui Guo | 20 May 2011

With the help of University of Aizu, Japan, Aizu Yougo Gakko School for the Challenged now has technology that is easy for the students to operate.

“Nearly 30 per cent of Aizu Yougo Gakko students have severe motor and intellectual handicaps and cannot control their limbs,” said Michael Cohen, Professor of Spatial Media Group, University of Aizu.

Hence, both schools worked together to develop interfaces that “are not especially sophisticated” but could encourage and entertain students with special needs.

These interfaces include handicapped-accessible buttons in place of conventional computer mouse and keyboard, switches to control toys and appliances, a two-button system for operating music players and an Apple iPad equipped with accessibility software.

“The iPad’s multitouch interface and integrated multimedia capability is especially useful for young Gakko students,” said Cohen to FutureGov Asia Pacific.

Cohen demonstrated an application that with the touch of an illustration, lets the iPad announce things needs like a desire to visit the restroom or hunger—making the application an easy way for Gakko students to inform the faculty of their needs and wants.

“Even if a student is not expressive verbally, he or she can touch an accessible button to indicate his or her desires,” explained Cohen.

CAIRO ICT 2011

“Destination Egypt... A Future in The Making”

Cairo ICT 2011 once again proved itself as a premier event that serves the Middle East and Africa, where professionals are treated to a wealth of learning and networking opportunities.

From May 25 – 28, Cairo ICT hosted business leaders from Egypt, the Arab Region and Africa, government officials, foreign dignitaries and VIPs to discuss the current state of the ICT industry in Egypt after the revolution.

The four exhibition halls played host to the largest players in the industry. The sheer size of the exhibition and the number of attendees was impressive to everyone, fulfilling the slogan: “Destination Egypt... A Future in the Making”.

Cairo ICT Expands in Size & Scope

Despite the repercussions of the January 25 Revolution, Cairo ICT in its 15th round kept the same size and scope of 2010’s round which indicates that the ICT industry is a key sector for the revival of the Egyptian economy and all its other sectors, while also indicating the strength of the eve

THE FIRST 4G OUTLET LAUNCHED IN UTM

   Skudai, March 11 – “YES Campus Store”, the first 4G outlet at an institution of higher learning in the country is launched at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia today.

The UTM Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang said, the initiative to open the said outlet enables the UTM community to get the 4G mobile internet services at an affordable rate.

  The package, Education Partner Program Campus Citizen Plan, facilitates the UTM community to use the 4G network which has been customised with a special package.

The Yes 4G mobile phone is also launched today exclusively for the UTM community.

The YES Campus Store was launched by Dr. Zaini.  Also present was the Executive Director of YTL Communications Sdn Bhd (YTL Comms), Yasmin Mahmood.

Although more than 80 percent of the student residential colleges have been provided with internet coverage through the installation of almost 1,000 wireless hot spots, the 4G broad band services will extend the students’ accessibility to the online learning materials and services.

   The facilities enable more than 20 thousand students to utilise the advanced communication and information technology as part of their learning process. The initiative is in tandem with UTM teaching and learning policy which emphasizes the use of e-learning while focusing on the development of soft skills among students.

   The expansion of the broad band and internet accessibility will give great impact to the students of UTM as it enables them to obtain the information required particularly in research and development speedily and promptly. Such facilities are most appropriate as many of the learning references and materials are made available through the internet.

In addition the technopreneur program will get the advantage of the services provided by YTL Comms through high speed internet.

APIIT & UCTI wins Asia Pacific ICT Award 2008 for Most Innovative ICT Solution

Screenshield 3, the latest version of the previous award-winning Screenshield product received the Top Award at the Asia Pacific ICT Awards (APICTA) 2008 in the 'e-Community & e-Inclusion' category - for the most innovative nomination for developing ICT solutions that support communities and bridge the digital divide and to improve the wellbeing and quality of life. The 'e-Community & e-Inclusion' category was introduced and presented for the first time in 2008.

The award was presented by YBhg Dato' Badlisham Ghazali, CEO of Multimedia Development Corporation, Malaysia (MDeC) at the MSC-APICTA awards night event held on 15th October 2008 at the Kuala Lumpur Performance Arts Centre (KLPAC). YB Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili, Minister of Science, Technology & Innovation, was the guest of honor. The MSC-APICTA 2008 awards event attracted nearly 400 entries under 18 different categories. Nominations in each of these categories came from ICT companies, individuals, students, technopreneurs, and institutions of higher learning and schools.

APIIT & UCTI's Centre for Technology & Innovation (CTI) was responsible for the development of this product which has gained acceptance both in Malaysia and overseas. This is another achievement by the Centre of Technology & Innovation (CTI) team who have been responsible for the development of various versions of the successful Screenshield product. Screenshield detects and blocks pornography, detects inappropriate communications and web content and monitors PC utilization & user productivity.