Namibia`s premiere information and communication technology (ICT) event "“ Telecom Namibia ICT Summit 2009, is scheduled to take place in Windhoek on July 8-9, 2009.
The two-day summit, which forms part of concerted efforts by Telecom Namibia to enhance the momentum for the development of ICT in the country, will be held at the Safari Hotel and Conference Centre under the theme "ICT: Visualising the Future "“ Confronting the Crisis."
"The aim of the Telecom Namibia ICT Summit 2009 is to boost confidence and build motivation for future business oriented development, taking into account and overcoming local adversities and the difficult economic climate," said Coenraad Coetzee, General Manager for ICT and Corporate Business Solutions at Telecom Namibia.
This year`s ICT Summit, being one of the most important events in ICT area in Namibia, will be officially opened by Information and Communication Technology Minister Honourable Joel Kaapanda. Board Chairman of Telecom Namibia Joseph Iita is also expected to address the Summit.
Coetzee said the summit had evoked an enthusiastic interest both nationally and internationally.
About 600 people have so far been registered and some are still registering to take part in the ICT Summit this year. These include government officials, business leaders and ICT experts from Namibia as well as high-profile delegates from South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Angola, Nigeria, DRC Congo and Germany.
"It is a well known fact that all of the successful economies of the world have are using ICT as a main driver for their development and the ICT Summit will be showcasing and promoting ICT as part of our daily lives." Coetzee said.
He said there is a need to move forward through the adoption of ICT initiatives and take advantage of the numerous benefits they do offer, as this would not only lead to better communications but also to a better economy, a better education and ultimately a better future for Namibia.
Speakers who will feature at the event include Stanley Shanapinda of Telecom Namibia who will speak about "Changing the ICT regulatory landscape "“ the Communications Bill 2009," Michele Categnaro of Cisco "Weathering the storm through ICT,"George Debbo of Ericsson on "Fixed mobile convergence "“ the next evolutionary step," Malcolm Anderson of Cornastone IT Services on "How to create a virtualisation strategy for your organisation".
There will be presentations on Visualisation by Dimension Data, on Customer Management by Business Connexion Namibia and on Loyalty Manager by SAAB Grintek.
Buhle Dlamini of Marie Grey & Associates who has been sponsored by Telecom Namibia to deliver a talk on "Owning the future.
"The discussions at the Summit will contribute to shaping a clear vision and roadmap for ICT development within Namibia. We are hopeful that the ideas and insights brought up by the Summit will result in concrete project," Coetzee concluded.
This Telecom Namibia ICT Summit 2009 is the third one to be held following the very successful summits in 2007 and last year. The 2-day summit brings together key ICT practitioners and decision makers and users from across Namibia and the region and increase their awareness and exposure to the latest emerging trends and opportunities in ICT.
Visit the ICT Summit website www.ictsummit.telecom.na to learn more about the sponsors, the presentations, the programme and the workshops which will take place during the two days.