8. NCR-DIC ELECTRONIC NETWORKING:

8. NCR-DIC ELECTRONIC NETWORKING

With the help of information networks, it is possible to transmit different types of service to different audiences via a single channel. This also makes possible the improved provision of education and other services to small target groups and special audiences. Through increased cooperation and by exploiting the potential of technology, regional equality can be enhanced and the opportunities for individuals to acquire information can be improved. More effective use of resources will be possible.

In Sudan society, electronic communication and information networks handle huge amounts of information, which is continuously being updated. In this flood of information citizens need to be independent, critical and analytical in their acquisition, use and production of information. Increasingly, the problem is to locate relevant material in the mass of data available.

Network building is a function of national development. In Sudan we need to:

·        Adopt our national information policy ;

·         Facilitate the dialogue between communication operators and the library and documentation community to use existing  and improving telecommunication infrastructure for information exchange.

In addition to the Documentation & Library community all users in the country including non-governmental organizations, extension centres, the United Nations and other international and national organization with day-to-day information needs, will benefit from the national electronic link.

Accordingly NCR-DIC plans to link electronically at three levels, which are:

·                    Institutional level i.e. NCR units as well as Ministry of Science and Technology level where the Research Community (under survey)

·        National level which includes the libraries & Documentation Centres in Sudan (under survey)

·        Regional level/International levels such as Project of Strengthening Library and Information Services in IGAD States funded by 75% Netherlands Government in which  NCR-DIC (National Information Node of IGAD) can link externally with IGAD Secretariat Information Nucleus and  IGAD States, internally with Libraries in government bodies and universities based on IGAD

In this paper, I will discuss information network at institutional level.  NCR-DIC surveyed the NCR facilities and resources, which are equipment, software, human resources, and means of communications during the period from August - November 1999 and supported by another survey in May –June 2002. The results of this survey showed the following:

1. Equipment

·        NCR consists of 14 units: 9 units in the NCR Headquarters while 4 units are far from the NCR-DIC distance around 1-16 Kilometers

·        Computers and their accessories for the network

·        Internet connectivity to the Internet using the dialup system

2. Software

WINDOWS 95, 97, 98; SPSS; CORELL, FOXPRO, ADOPE, CDS/ISIS AND HTML WRITER

3. Human resources

 trained on computers with medium qualification in word processing and basics and some packages whereas qualified personnel in Software related to documentation and Information services

4. Suggestions

 include networking, training and maintenance of Equipment's,  and security programs

     NCR-DIC also consults the internal specialists from the Sudanet, Sudatel, Khartoum University, Sudan University of Science and Technology, National Council for Telecommunications, and the dealers of computer companies, for means of communication, training courses, and estimated costs to run network with skilled personnel. So Data Cloud is recommended for discharging the network function smoothly. It suggests that one or two researchers form each unit to Training for trainee course to provide NCR-DIC with their processed information.