Hi all,
I have just had a conversation with MICT regarding this group's
representation (and to take us seriously) at any upcoming major ICT
events. I have been told this is interesting and have received an invite
for this group. Just to make it clear I am NOT the representative of
this group so I will hand over this invite to our group's representative.
Will speak more on this later on today
For now
Dhiruj
On 22/05/2015 00:27, Dhiruj Rambaran wrote:
> Dear all,
>
> I'm sorry but I have not been vocal enough to help create a viable
> group. Yes I could use the cliche "I don't have enough time" but, when
> one considers I was meant to speak at a conference in Johannesburg
> this morning (not bragging.. just saying) but, instead, I've had to
> call and cancel simply because i'm just too busy here (in mauritius),
> ... so someone may believe me when I say "i don't have enough time!"..
> lol.
>
> Anyway.. in answer to some questions I found floating regarding
> "innovation" and "does the government really care?". I have an
> on-going episode happening at the moment:
>
> Yesterday I saw an announcement in the papers, some workshop organised
> by Oracle, attended by Minister of IT, regarding Oracles endeavor to
> put enterprises and govt on the "oracle cloud".
>
> Well... a few weeks ago I presented a project to the Ministry of IT,
> attended by the PS and 8 others. The meeting lasted 2.5 hours after
> which they reached the conclusion that my project was "very good"
> but... they didn't know how to proceed with it! (for those who don't
> know what the project is.. it's to provide every business in mauritius
> their own free retail e-commerce website, together with physical
> delivery of goods and payment acceptance... more or less same biz
> model as an "Amazon e-Fulfillment Centre". And yes, the entire thing
> is on the Microsoft Cloud.. but i'm not making a fuss about it :) )
>
> So.. in the end it was decided that one of the Ministry of IT guys
> would organise a meeting with the Ministry of Business.. so that both
> ministries could re-listen to the presentation I'd give.
>
> Well.. now here is the "unusual part"..... apparently, after several
> weeks, not even the Ministry of IT can get an appointment with the
> Ministry of Business to have this meeting!
>
> I commented that "well.. if YOU guys can't get a meeting going about
> this project... how do you expect an ordinary CITIZEN, like myself, to
> EVER push this through???".
>
> So.. the conversation continued:
>
> Me: So what do I do now?
>
> (Conversation with someone "high up" in MICT.. probably number 3)
>
> MICT: I don't know.. I can't get hold of them for the meeting!
>
> Me: Well.. can the PS do something about this?
>
> MICT: He'll only tell me to do it.
>
> Me: But you're the Ministry of Innovation etc.... how does anyone
> expect an innovative project to even make it to the final decision
> stage when you can't get a meeting?
>
> MICT: Yes I know.. it is very sad.
>
> Me: Yes I know it's sad. But what do we do now?
>
> MICT: Well.. in my experience you must persevere
>
> Me: But I've been trying to push this through for 5 years now.
>
> MICT: (silence... then....) I think I better go there myself, in
> person, and get them to hold this meeting.
>
> Me: Do you and the PS still believe in the project?
>
> MICT: Of course we do. It's a great project. But we're just not sure
> how to get through to them now.
>
> Me: So what's the point of a Ministry of Innovation + IT when nothing
> can be done for such a proj?
>
> MICT: Well.. i tell you what. Ring me, every day if need be, to remind
> me to give another call to the ministry of biz.. i may get through!
>
> Me: Okay. Well.. I waited 5 years... I suppose I can wait another 5
> years.
>
> MICT: hahaha... don't say that Mr Rambaran. We'll get there don't you
> worry.
>
> Me: Okay, then I'll ring you every day till one day the ministry of
> biz picks up the phone.
>
> MICT: I don't mind.
>
> Me: (no words left to say).
>
> Now.. though the above does not specifically answer anyone's question
> in regards to Innovation, IT and pushing innovation through
> government.... I think, nevertheless, you can draw your own
> conclusions just through my conversation (which i've had with many, in
> many ministries by the way).
>
>
> I believe the story of Innovation and IT.. and whether it is possible
> to get a project through, is probably neatly summed up above.
>
> Frankly... I see no hope for IT + Govt in Mauritius.
>
>
> Dhiruj
>
>
> On 21/05/2015 23:53, S Moonesamy wrote:
>> Hello,
>> At 09:57 21-05-2015, Ish Sookun wrote:
>>> The good thing about NCB is they do good catering service. I liked
>>> the food :-)
>>
>> I agree that the National Computer Board knows how to choose a good
>> catering service. :-)
>>
>>> As for the rest, their website is dull, Infotech event is a bazar,
>>> they do not respond promptly to queries/emails, if you want to
>>> participate in a workshop you have to be the president or
>>> vice-president of some association. So, even you are a president but
>>> you got no brain, they will welcome you to a workshop deciding the
>>> fate of the country; but if you're a bright person with no title,
>>> they will bar you from every event.
>>
>> People may be impressed when they see people with fancy titles. The
>> Mauritius Internet Users does not have any president or
>> vice-president. Does that mean that it should not be allowed to
>> participate in a workshop about an internet-related topic?
>>
>> Regards,
>> S. Moonesamy
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
Received on Fri May 22 2015 - 05:24:05 PST
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: Fri May 22 2015 - 05:27:05 PST