Unesco Regional Meeting of Computer Centre Directors in Africa (Arusha, Tanzania, April 14-18, 1980). Final Report

The main points on the agenda of this meeting attended by eight chief participants from seven member states of UNESCO in the African Region and several observers were: (1) presentations by participants on their experiences in the application of informatics (i.e., computer applications in information dissemination) in the region; (2) problems in education and training in informatics; (3) formal education and training in informatics; (4) advanced workshops for existing personnel and education of management and users; (5) computer procurement in the region; (6) hardware and software developments and establishment of research projects; (7) computer applications with particular relevance to the region; and (8) major issues in informatics in Africa. This report summarizes the planning and conduct of the meetings as well as reports on informatics programs and presentations by the participants, and presents 13 recommendations formulated by the participants. Extensive appended materials include the meeting agenda; addresses delivered at the inauguration ceremony; presentations made by participants (M. N. J. Lambert, Zambia; P. E. Chilambe, Malawi; O. Abass, Nigeria; P. E. Mugambi, Uganda; R. J. P. Scott, Kenya; William D. S. Magambo, Tanzania; and Signate Cheikh Oumar, Senegal); reports on UNESCO's informatics program by E. A. Owolabi and the activities of the Organization of African Unity in informatics education by O. Abass; a working document prepared for the meeting; and a participant list. (LMM)