In 2005, ADOC Project collaborated with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) to establish the first training centre in Vietnam in order to increase competitiveness and computer literacy for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By 2010, 76 similar centres were set up in 10 ADOC member nations, providing training for 160,000 people.
The Secretariat of the APEC Digital Opportunity Centre (ADOC) decided to organise a ceremony to open ADOC digital opportunity centres in central Vietnam in Dong Ha City, Quang Tri Province on June 15, 2011 and a similar event to inaugurate the ADOC digital opportunity centres in northern region on June 16 at the Centre for Women and Development. These new facilities bring the total ADOC centres in Vietnam to 18.
To continue this effective cooperation, on June 15, 2011, the ADOC Secretariat presented the ADOC training centres to Informatics - Sci&tech Information Centre of Quang Tri and Zhi Shan Foundation in Hue City.
On June 16, the ADOC Secretariat, with the cooperation of local partner World Vision Vietnam, and the Education Department of Phuoc Son District, Quang Nam Province, opened two additional new ADOC centres in Phuoc Son District. It also donated equipment to three centres, including the Centre for Women and Development, the Vietnam E-Commerce Association, and the Dong Sai Gon Vocational School. Mr Chih-Peng Huang, Representative of Taipei Economic and Trade Office in Vietnam (TETO), and Ms Nguyen Thi Tuyet, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Women’s Confederation, signed the two agreements at the witness of Dr. Chih-Kung Lee, President of Institute for Information Industry.
In 2003, Dr Yuan Tseh Lee, representative of Taiwan at the APEC Economic Leaders in Bangkok, Thailand, proposed the ADOC Project and the initiative well received supports of its members. The project aims at assisting APEC members to develop the capability in applying information technology and narrow digital divide to upgrade the competitiveness.
In 2008, the ADOC Project concluded the first phase. In order to continue with the objective of bridging the digital gap among member economies, the second phase of ADOC Project (ADOC 2.0) was launched, using government and social funds. This year, PC manufacturer ASUS donated more than 100 PCs to ADOC projects in ADOC member countries.
ADOC centres aim at supporting countries with underdeveloped information technology to fill the digital divide with more developed ones. ADOC vision is to reduce digital divides in the APEC region by enabling people to overcome limitations due to age, gender, health, social or education status, and to enjoy the benefits of digitalization anytime and anywhere.
Luu Hiep
Vietnamese
