Local Schools On Cyber Par With Germany, Singapore
By M K Anwar

Bandar Seri Begawan - Internet user penetration has reached nearly a third of the country with Internet access at schools reaching about 92 per cent, said the Minister of Communications yesterday.

In fact, the level of internet access at local schools is comparable with Singapore and Germany.

Pehin Dato Hj Awang Abu Bakar bin Hj Apong made these remarks in his welcoming speech during the opening of the National Summit on Information Society (NASIS).

He highlighted the country's proud achievement in ICT development- the level of Internet user penetration in the country has reached 30 per cent in late 2004 compared to only six per cent in 2000.

Pehin Dato Hj Awg Apong said that in the digital access aspect, Brunei is in 12th position among all the APEC economies and third in Asean.

For Internet access at schools, Brunei has reached about 92 per cent and this level is comparable with Singapore and Germany.

He added that this rate can still be improved, especially the rate of Internet penetration through broadband which is still at seven per cent in the country.

The increase in providing a wider access or connectivity is therefore a priority for the Government of His Majesty to further accelerate the creation of an information society.

The minister said that the National Summit on Information Society (NASIS) was the continuation of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) that was held in Geneva in December 2003.

NASIS is part of the efforts to coordinate all the past and future initiatives in developing and spreading ICT in the country, he said.

With a budget allocation of nearly $1 billion for the 8th National Development Plan, e-government projects are now actively being implemented.

The projects will act as a catalyst for the development of the local ICT industry and hopefully provide employment and develop the capacity of local skilled resources that can help spur the development of the country's economy.

It is hoped that NASIS will balance the development of ICT in other sectors such as e-Business and e-Society that will further help in achieving the creation of a knowledgeable society.

NASIS will give the participants the chance to discuss and exchange views on the efforts towards the development of e-Strategy.

About 41 lecturers will be delivering talks and discussing the issues pertaining to the information society from different perspectives. Six lecturers from abroad will also give talks at the summit.

The e-Applications Expo will be held for four days until .September 10 in conjunction with the summit and is open to the public.

The expo will exhibit the e-Applications services used in the government and private sector. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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