INTERNATIONAL RESOURCE PERSONS

Dr. B.K. Gairola

In his extensive career, Dr. BK Gairola has worked on various projects at the National Informatics Centre (NIC), a leading information technology (IT) organization providing state-of-the-art solutions for IT needs of the government of India.

Dr. Gairola is responsible for conceiving, designing and implementing IT-based projects for the Indian government with large citizen interfaces. He has also provided consultant services to government institutions outside India.His contributions have initiated cyber security programmes for both government and the economic sector, including the building of a secure cyber infrastructure for effective e-governance and cost-effective IT infrastructure in the country.

His current interests include the understanding of social and psychological factors, crucial to the induction of information technology in society. With a notable list of research and technical publications to his name, Dr. Gairola is also a familiar face at international conferences and workshops on science, technology and informatics. He holds a PhD in Computer Science and is a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Sciences.

Dr. Mahesh Chandra

In 1983, Dr. Mahesh Chandra joined the National Informatics Centre (NIC) that provides state-of-the-art solutions for information technology (IT) needs of the government of India. His contributions to projects in computer-aided design (CAD) have established a solid base for CAD and office automation in numerous areas of India as well as the development of software for optimizing construction and utility networks throughout the country.

His work for the Indian government has also included the transfer of technology and joint software development in collaboration with foreign governments. He has been involved in standardizing and improving the efficiency of public services on a large scale through the use of IT. Currently, his work includes projects on office automation, the installation of communication links including V-SATs, and feasibility studies.

Dr. Chandra holds a PhD in Computer Aided Design from the University of Roorkee and was awarded the National Khosla Award for best research contribution in 1984. He is the author of numerous papers and monographs in international journals, and is an IT consultant for several government departments in India. He is also a member of the National Accreditation Board in the field of Computer Sciences.

LOCAL RESOURCE PERSONS

Dr. Tran Ngoc Ca

Dr. Tran Ngoc Ca is the Deputy Director, National Institute for Science and Technology Policy and Strategy Studies of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam. He has worked on numerous projects on science and technology policy, management and innovation, information technology and electronics commerce for UNDP, UNIDO, World Bank, European Commission, CIDA, SIDA/SAREC, IDRC, etc. Dr. Ca is currently involved in various teaching and consulting works.

Dr. Ca graduated with an engineering degree from the Moscow Mining University (ex.Soviet Union), master degree in Lund University (Sweden) and Ph.D. at the University of Edinburgh (UK). He has published articles, chapters in books including a book by Ashgate Publishing (UK): Technological capability and learning in firms: Vietnamese industries in transition. He is member of several professional associations in Vietnam and abroad, including that of American Society of Information Science and Technology (ASIST).

Dr. Nguyen Si Dung

Dr. Nguyen Si Dung is the Director of the Centre for Information, Library and Research Services at the Office of the National Assembly (ONA) in Hanoi, Viet Nam. He has lectured at training courses for the People’s Council and to international students on the Vietnamese legal system. He has also actively conducted research on the parliamentary affairs of more than 40 countries worldwide. Dr. Nguyen has headed several projects on parliamentary organization and operations at an international level and has experience in managing and operating international cooperation projects relating to legislative affairs.

He has participated in managing and operating a number of international assistance projects in support of the ONA, aimed at upgrading the professional skills of ONA staff and improving operational procedures for local organizations. Apart from Viet Nam, Dr. Nguyen has worked in Russia and Australia, and currently supervises the provision of services and information to Members of Parliament of Vietnam.