e-Co Hub

e-Co Hub is an interactive space for sharing knowledge, resources, and experiences on ICT4D capacity building. In summary, one can:

• Find ICT4D resources by topic, country, and organisation;
• Review and comment on resources;
• Share resources and experiences;
• Engage in discussions on ICT4D issues; and
• Collaborate on creating new knowledge (e.g., by submitting case studies).
  

Resources on the e-Co Hub include: publications, reports, journal articles, working papers, training manuals, guidelines, case studies, video and audio files, and multimedia materials, as well as web portals with links to relevant resources and blogsites. Users can browse these different types of resources by various topics (e.g. e-commerce, e-governance), by country, or by publishing organisation.

e-Co Hub is also fundamental in supporting APCICT's Academy of ICT Essentials for Government Leaders Programme (Academy) that consists of a core ICT4D curriculum with 8 modules, designed primarily for policymakers, project managers, and educators, that can be delivered face-to-face or as online self-study courses on APCICT's online distance learning platform - APCICT Virtual Academy (AVA) (scheduled to be completed and launched in the fourth quarter of 2008). AVA will hope to promote lifelong learning among users and trainers working on a range of ICT4D issues affecting the lives of people in developing countries, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

In this context, the e-Co Hub aims to build bridges between trainees and trainers, and enhance the learning and teaching experience. Trainers may find ICT4D resources; meet other trainers and share experiences in delivering ICT4D courses; mentor future leaders in ICT4D; and contribute to the community of ICT4D capacity building. For users of the Academy, the e-Co Hub provides a platform for accessing relevant resources, engaging in discussions with experts and other learners, and discovering solutions.

To share national experiences in ICT human resource development programmes among member countries and make the programme relevant to changing training needs as well as to bring them in line with new technology development and changes within the ICT industry, APCICT carries out various initiatives to strengthen research and analytical studies. Further details about this work are available on the e-Co Hub website.

Technology.

The birth of the e-Co Hub came about from survey results, meetings, and consultations with APCICT member and associate member countries. The general consensus was that there is a need to establish a network of training institutions, educators, academics, and researchers working to develop and effectively deliver ICT4D capacity building initiatives. As a result, a Digital Partnership Network (DPN) was established and launched by APCICT on October 8 2007, and members of this network can now take advantage of the e-Co Hub to find relevant resources, share their own resources, or review existing resources in the e-Co Hub.