The University of Information and Communications Technology organized the Seventh Iraqi Information Society Forum, which came under the slogan (Empowering Least Developed Countries through Information and Communication Technology) under the auspices of Digital Link Company.

The President of the University, Prof. Dr. Abbas Mohsen Al-Bakri, confirmed in his opening speech to the forum: “The reliance on information technology has been in various fields for many years, where the belief in the importance of technology in facing the challenges facing the world in the digital age has increased, This has made global cooperation essential to reduce the digital divide between developing countries and the rest of the world, thus making access to new technology and connectivity easy.”

Al-Bakri pointed out that “the vast majority of the people of developing countries are still far from using information technology, as Internet users in these countries, according to statistics in 2022, reached approximately 407 million people. That is, 36% of the world’s population, Therefore, one of the objectives of the celebration of World Telecommunication Day is to provide developing countries with the opportunity to use this technology.”

In his speech, ITU Secretary-General António Guterres said: “The way we think has changed in telecommunications and human communication. Digital technology is about connecting us, One-third of the population in the least developed countries enjoys it, That is why ITU is dedicated to empowering LDCs by pledging to partner to connect the Digital Alliance.”

For his part, a member of the Board of Commissioners at the Media and Communications Commission, Dr. Abdul Azim Mohammed Al-Saleh, congratulated the university on its keenness to hold and organize the activities of the forum in its seventh edition. He pointed out that the Media and Communications Commission was keen to participate and be present in such forums in order to see the rapid developments in the world of digitization and to open channels of communication and communication with all concerned authorities working in this sector.

Al-Saleh pointed to the endeavor of the Electronic Governance Committee in the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers to simplify administrative procedures in daily transactions and provide the best services to citizens. The National Data Center was established, the OR e-Services portal was activated, as well as the electronic document management project was completed.

An introductory film was also shown about the digital transformation efforts at the university through the launch of the digital system for fast low-coding automation at the Institute of Informatics for Graduate Studies and the provision of services for graduate students at the Institute of Informatics for Graduate Studies. In addition to displaying a number of video clips of international and Arab personalities specialized in the field of digital technology that talked about this topic.

The forum included several sessions on various topics by professors specialized in the field of informatics and communications, where Mr. Yasser Al-Mimar participated with a research paper on digital transformation policies: Successful practices, Mr. Ali Anwar addressed digital transformation and enhancing citizen confidence in the government, While Dr. Fouad Al-Azzawi spoke about the work portal platform project for vocational rehabilitation and entrepreneurship, Mr. Laith Tariq presented a paper on algorithms and development, And Mr. Muhammad Qasim on the development and qualification of human cadres in the field of information and communication technology, The session was subject to interventions and scientific discussions by specialists from the attendees.

At the end of the forum, the President of the University presented certificates of appreciation to the participants for their active role in the success of the Seventh Iraqi Information Society Forum.