Come to a discourse on extending your reach in the technology space

With the growth of the technology business, many of us have begun to realize that we should be looking at extending the reach of technology to provide solutions for more than the 20% that live in Pakistan’s cities.

On Tuesday April 8, from 2 pm to 5 pm, Vickram Crishna will be facilitating a discourse on the world of fascinating opportunities that have opened up in applying Information and communications technologies inclusively.

Addressing the needs of communities currently less well served, such as rural dwellers, urban persons who do not use computers, and persons for whom computers are unaccessible primarily because of physical design issues. Accessing business needs in such circumstances can be rewarding in many ways – both commercial and non-commercial.

Come and join us to discuss:
Intelligent Choices – Opportunities in non-traditional IT areas

Date: Tuesday, April 8 2008
Venue: Mahnoor Room, Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi
Time: 2 pm – 5 pm

PROPOSED AGENDA
(because, having seen Vickram operate, one knows that the agenda can change with the flow – he really believes in inclusivity and letting participants drive the discussion so that the maximum value is attained):

If you wish to add to this agenda (whether you are in Karachi or elsewhere), please do. We would appreciate the input.

The Need for Professionals in ICT for Development

Using Technology to Solve the Problems of the Disadvantaged – How, Why?

Case Studies of Successful Business Models
Nextenders
NeuroSynaptic
Djursland

Some Key Innovative Application Examples for Discussion
Local Area VoIP
Keyboardless Data Entry
Portable Data Projectors
Low Cost Personal Computers

The Way Forward
Promoting Entrepreneurship in ICT4D
Morphing Current Business Opportunities to the Social Development Environment
Follow-Up: Creation of a Focus Group to Further this Agenda

REGISTRATION IS FREE

Register NOW at secretariat@pasha.org.pk giving the names of the people who will attend, the name of your organization and an email contact.

Who is Vickram Crishna?

Vickram Crishna, trained as an engineer and manager from two of India’s leading specialised institutions of higher learning – the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM). He has worked in industry, as a consultant, and as an editor for the past three decades. He is currently the CEO of Radiophony, an Indian consulting organisation started by him together with Dr Arun Mehta. Radiophony is focused on Accessible Communications technology, including developing tools for the physically challenged, and deploying data/telecommunications for the rural poor.

The company’s significant technology achievements include eLocutor, a computing interface for the very severely physically challenged, and distributed sound, a technology for large open air concerts that ensures good sound without unhealthy noise pollution. Future plans include supporting physical infrastructure for training and research into long-distance data networking and similar infrastructure for different kinds of physically challenged people, involving both IT training and the development of IT based tools for physically challenged people, designed and developed by them.

This event in being organized by P@SHA in partnership with Intel Pakistan. Thank you Intel.

Do visit Jawwad’s blog for a cool post on this event and Mohtashim’s blog for his views regarding Intel’s support.