Can ISDI become an Information Access Center?

On 28th March, 2012, a delegation from Republic of Korea visited the Information Society Development Institute (ISDI) in order to assess whether in its frame may be opened an Information Access Center (IAC).

The director of ISDI made a brief presentation of the institution, then together with the delegation made a trip through all ISDI offices.

Woan-Sik Choi, Global Project Director “Project IT Dept. Global Cooperation Division”, National Information Society Agency of the Republic of Korea (NIA) said that in competition are included four institutions from Moldova: State Enterprise “Information Society Development Institute”, S.E. “Registru”, Free International University of Moldova and the Academy of Public Administration under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Moldova. Also he said that the winning institution will know the result tomorrow, and on 30th of March, will take place the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the NIA and the winning company.

Some of the premises for IAC are: accessibility, fiscal capacity, location (should be at least 330 m2 and be in one location, at first floor), efficiency, cooperation ability, financial abilities, durability, human resources development, education and other premises.

After the winner institution is selected will start the process of construction of IAC, it will include an IT training Lab, Seminar Room, Internet Lounge and an Administrative Office. The construction of IAC can take about 2-3 months, after that the Center will be equipped with high performance technologies and quality infrastructure with financial help from Republic of Korea Government.

The event is part of the visit of the NIA on field of inspection for Moldova-Korea Information Access Center delegation of the Republic of Korea program.

A similar Center was opened on 2nd march 2012 in the capital of Ukraine, Kiev. The Open International University of Human Development “Ukraine” which is a non-profit, non-state higher education institution that was established in 1998, has won the project and on his territory has been open a Information Access Center that provides access to Internet, it 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 were provided by the Korean government.

Anastasia Seraciov