In early November, Korean government officials and NIA staff were in three different countries - Nepal, Mongolia and Uzbekistan for opening ceremonies of three new Information Access Centers.

On November 4th at an opening ceremony held in the Annapurna region, the new Korean-Nepal IAC was established in Pokhara University, Pokhara (Nepal || chr(39) || || chr(39) || s seond largest city). The new Information Access Center in Nepal provides access to Internet, includes an Internet lounge for local residents to use for ICT education purposes and a seminar room to host both domestic and international events. Hardware, computer and video-conferencing equipment is provided as well which will go a long way in helping to bridge the digital divide in Nepal and connect Nepalese with different information communication technologies.



The opening ceremony was attended by Jo Myeong Woo, Head of Informatization Planning Bureau, Informatization Strategy Office at the Ministry of Public Informatization and Security (MOPAS)at Pokhara University with approximately 100 people in attendance. From Nepal, Juddha B. Gurung, Member Secretary of the High-Level Commission for Information Technology was there as well and they had a meeting where Mr. Jo stated that he expects that IT cooperation between Korea and Nepal could be promoted and activated through the establishment of the Korea - Nepal IAC and also that Korea would give positive consideration to dispatch IT experts that could strongly support Nepal in IT ODA projects

such as Korean Internet Volunteers (KIV) and Korea Information Learning (KoIL) training programs in order to share experiences regarding informatization building experiences of Korea.



Meanwhile, on November 7th, in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, another IAC opening ceremony was held with approximately 200 participants in attendance. Jong SooJeon, Executive Director of the Global Cooperation Division at NIA represented the Korean side and OdgerelUlziikhutag, Director General, Public Administration and Cooperation Department, Information Communications Technology and Post

Authority represented the Mongolian side during the opening of the IAC. The Korea - Mongolia IAC was initially established in 2007, however, it was reopened at this time after a complete repair and maintenance work to replace old and outdated IT facilities. The IAC is located at theUlan Bator

Universitycampus and continues the strong ICT cooperation between the 2 countries.

Finally, the third IAC that opened in November was in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This IAC, like the one in Mongolia, takes the place of the original one that was first set up and supported by the Korean government back in 2007. It has in the past made a strong relationship in informatization that has improved the educational environment by providing state-of-the-art IT facilities in Uzbekistan. The renovated IAC is established in Tashkent University of IT and it will help in introducing and make known the Korean e-government model for Uzbeks to learn about since the IAC has reopened.



To conclude, the Ministry of Public Administration and Security (MOPAS) plans to find and support projects through intergovernmental cooperation since all 3 IACs in Nepal, Mongolia and Uzbekistan are considered a very good opportunity to establish a solid foundation for disseminating Korean e-government further into Northeast and Central Asian regions.

Nepal - Korea IAC Opening Ceremony in Pokhara, Nepal









Mongolia - Korea IAC Opening Ceremony in Ulan Bator, Mongolia



 
Uzbekistan - Korea IAC Opening Ceremony in Tashkent, Uzbekistan