Need to explore full potential of ICT

Dear Editor

WITH reference to recent articles on ICT as a tool to enhance a service instead of replacing a service, I would like to also highlight that ICT should be regarded in all areas as just that, a tool. In this instance, in the development of e-hijrah, it is used as a tool for teachers to provide the students with up-to-date information, expanded access to audio-visual aid and interactivity in the classroom, as oppose to replacing any teaching itself.

Taking a broader view on the topic, I believe Brunei Darussalam will continue to make big strides into ICT in the coming years. However, as we do so, we must not fall into the allure that ICT is a solution, a miracle device that will make all the problems go away. ICT can automate, speed up and make efficient existing processes. It however, cannot give clarity or understanding to what those processes are.

A friend of mine who previously worked in an institution in the ICT Department, complained once that as the department managed their website, they were expected to come up with the content as well. That is the wrong way to approach ICT. It does not magically think for you, it does not innovate for you.

Spending millions and millions of dollars on equipment and consultants will not take usanywhere without a clear, transparent vision of where things need to go.

Much like construction of roads and buildings just for the sake of infrastructure is a waste of resources, the development of ICT without any target or destination will lead to a dead-end. It is like going around in circles.

In my view one good recent development was establishment of a facility to allow online payment of our electricity bills. However , as our power meters are being replaced with pay-as-you-go ones that require the PowerKad, does it not make the facility redundant? I applaud efforts to bring convenience to the people of Brunei, but somehow I feel as though someone did not talk to someone when considering this matter. There has been recent talks of faster Internet. That's laudable. It however makes me wonder what we are using all this fast Internet for, when majority of our government services require us to be at a counter with paper-form in hand.

Not that you will find anyone in Brunei complaining about having faster Internet, but high-speed connectivity does nothing for the lack of visible online services within the country.

I hope that we will be able to capitalise on improved connectivity as upgrades are being rolled out.

JSK

BSB