The Mongolian Information Development Application Scheme (MIDAS-1) was funded and established by UNDP's Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme (APDIP) and the Mongolian Foundation for Open Society (MFOS) in line with the adoption of a policy paper entitled "ICT Vision 2010" by the Mongolian government in 2000.

The two main objectives of MIDAS are:

• To jump-start the creation of information industries in Mongolia by providing small grants to fund "best examples" which will ultimately encourage others to follow;
• To strengthen the capacity and status of Mongolia's national ICT council that represents ICT stakeholders and professionals, and consists of government, NGOs, civil societies and the private sector.

MIDAS NGO, as it is known today, was formed the purpose of working from the grassroots up to the policy-making level and of mobilizing key ICT stakeholders in Mongolia. Among the initiatives that have been implemented or are supported by MIDAS are:

• The development of the creative and functional RENOR-2.0 software designed to assist schoolchildren with reading, writing and arithmetic. Developed with the help of various specialists, Mongolian companies have begun to use this software for their own teaching purposes.
• E-textbooks which contain multimedia training materials using a Microsoft Windows platform and the Internet. This has provided an opportunity for capacity building with its low price structure and high product quality, to a wide range of end-users. It also covers a wide range of subjects.
• Software for the automation of library activities from user registration to the creation of a searchable online catalogue. This software has been localized for Mongolian users, using Mongolian fonts and menus, simple bar codes and printer configurations, and the availability of a searchable online catalogue. (http://opac.must.edu.mn)
• Online mathematics learning and practice for secondary school students (http://www.elearning.mn/mathematic), which has been adopted for online distance learning websites providing education on gender and health, by using the testing system and registration modules as models.
• A trade and business development portal for the country (http://www.mongoliamarket.mn) providing trade and business information, market information, legislation, statistics and a searchable database of registered Mongolian companies. This site ideally opens a line of communication between Mongolian and international counterparts, allowing the development of trade cooperation through e-commerce and e-business, despite Mongolia's geographic isolation.
• A Virtual Stock Exchange coupled with a cultural website displaying everyday Mongolian life for interested parties. The Virtual Stock Exchange provides an opportunity for Mongolians to learn about stock exchanges, shareholding and how to participate in the stock exchange.
• Development of a keyboard driver for the conversion of Mongolian fonts and a conversion software for Unicode.
  
• Online enrolment exam materials for prospective university students (http://www.csms.edu.mn/uni) that provides information to those seeking information on student loans, entrance examination materials and academic programmes. For those without Internet access, the site is published on CD and distributed to them.

The MIDAS NGO

Funded by UNDP's Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme (APDIP) and the Mongolian Foundation for Open Society (MFOS), the MIDAS NGO was formed with the objective of working from the grassroots up to policy-making level, and mobilizing key ICT stakeholders in Mongolia. Its aim is to support the Mongolian government in creating an intellectually-geared society, and developing information and communications technology (ICT) in Mongolia.

The MIDAS NGO facilitates the selection of sub-projects for grant services in order to support the implementation of ICT Vision 2010, the 'blueprint' for ICT development in Mongolia. It operates the www.ict.mn/midas website, which hosts an e-mail list of over 270 subscribers, providing a platform for the exchange of ideas, thoughts and information among the ICT community.

Contact Details:

Mongolian Information Development Association
4th Floor, Room 423, Baga Toiruu-49,
Center for Scientific & Technological Information,
Ulaanbaatar-46, Mongolia
Tel: (976-11)-329902
Fax: (976-11)-329902
E-mail: secretary@ict.mn