Jordan - National US-Arab Chamber of Commerce

int@j is working topromote industryinvestmentopportunities inJordan, includingVenture Capital (VC)prospects and InitialPublic Offerings(IPOs)With EduWave,students are ableto access theirlearning contentinside and outsidetheir classrooms,during and afterschool hours.int@j: Jordan’s ICT AdvocatesThe Information Technology Association of Jordan(int@j), an outgrowth of the REACH Initiative, hasbecome the premier advocacy group for expandinginformation and communications technology in Jordan.The mission of this non-profit association is to “represent,promote, and advance the Jordanian software andIT services industry in the global market.”int@j is working to fulfi ll its mission through thefollowing objectives:Advocate industry issues – represent ICT industryinterests and lobby with government and internationalgroups; propose national initiatives and conduct publicrelations efforts.Promote industry investment opportunities inJordan – promote Venture Capital (VC) and InitialPublic Offerings (IPOs); form relationships with localexport-oriented groups; represent the industry at conferencesand trade shows; set up databases and publicizemembership through web sites, newsletters, hyperlinks,promotional materials and advertising.Provide industr y research and market information– conduct market studies; disseminate local, regional andinternational opportunities; monitor market trends.Effect standardization, certification and qualitycontrol in the ICT industry – promote certificationbodies and their value; enforce an ICT industry codeof ethics; standardize employment contracts and benefitpackages.Jordanian Educational SoftwareBenefits New JerseyIn one of the first instances of Jordanian informationtechnology fi nding a niche in the U.S. market, theIntegrated Technology Group (ITG) of Jordan hasbegun selling its “EduWave” software to school districtsin New Jersey.EduWave, an innovative K-12 instructional andelectronic learning management solution, strengthensthe ability of educators, students, and administratorsto harness and enhance the learning experience of theInternet. In Jordan alone, EduWave serves over 3,000schools, nearly 1.2 million students, over 50,000 teachers,and some 5,000 administrators. The Jordanian governmenthas made the system its core national e-learningSupport humanresource development –work with educationalinstitutions to focus oncritical skills; strengthenties with local universitiesand collaborate withoverseas universities; andinitiate industry programsto benefit universitystudents.Advance industry intellectual property rights(IPR) – certify IPR compliance; update members inIPR law changes; and work toward local IPR regulationsconducive to ICT industry growth.Form international ICT industry alliances –actively seek alliances with global players; develop andattract venture capital funds; and disseminate successstories.Manage industry stakeholder relations and resolveindustry conflicts – build and reinforce bridges amongassociation members and between association membersand government, media, universities, NGOs anddonors.For more information, check out the int@j Web site atwww.intaj.net ✦platform, and other countriesin the region are beginning tomove in the same direction.EduWave got its start in1999 when ITG recognizedthe vast potential in the globale-learning industry and thecritical need for learningmanagement systems that were comprehensive enoughto handle large-scale, countrywide deployments. Thefirm won its first major deal in 2003 when it contractedwith Jordan’s Ministry of Education to serve that nation’s3,200 public schools. A few months later, EduWavereceived the UN World Summit Award after beingselected from over 800 products from 135 countries.For more information onEduWave and other ITGproducts, please visit thecompany’s website atwww.itgsolutions.com. ✦10 November/ December 2004 • US-Arab Tradeline