2018 IFIP WG 9.4 European Regional Conference on the Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries
Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development
Organised by IFIP WG 9.4, the UNESCO Chair in ICT4D at Royal Holloway University of London, The European University of Tirana and the University of Tirana.
22nd to 24th June 2018, Tirana, Albania
The aim of the Regional Conference is to provide an engaging space for researchers and practitioners to share their work and participate, developing capabilities in working in multidisciplinary research projects, getting published in leading international journals, impacting policy and practice.
Online registration is now closed. A draft of the proceedings can be downloaded here:
Draft Programme
Day 1: 22 June 2018
10:30: Registration opens (First floor foyer for the breaks and Blue Room for all sessions)
11:00 – 11:15: Opening: Endrit Kromidha, Conference Chair
11:15 – 13:00: Keynote workshop: Publishing in International Journals and Paper Development Workshop
Key Speaker and Chair: Robert Davison, IFIP WG 9.4 Chair and Professor of Information Systems at the City University of Hong Kong
Agent Provocateur: Tim Unwin, UNESCO Chair in ICT4D at Royal Holloway, University of London, Programme Co-Chair.
13:00 – 14:00: Lunch
14:00 – 15:45: Paper session: Policy and ICT infrastructure for empowerment
Chair: Kozeta Sevrani, Professor of CS and MIS, Head of the Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Informatics at Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana, Albania
Abdulrashid Iliya: Mobile Phone Use for Empowerment – A Critical Realist Ethnography Study of Women with Disabilities in Nigeria
Kondwani Thangalimodzi: E-transactions and cyber security reform in Malawi: Implications for e-government
Mari Iversen: Comparison and Evaluation of two mHealth apps CommCare and DHIS2 Tracker Capture in Malawi
Priyanka Pandey: mHealth outcomes for community health workers – A capability perspective
15:45 – 16:15: Coffee break
16:15 – 17:45: Paper session: Digital innovations for development
Chair: Petter Nielsen, Associate Professor in Information Systems, University of Oslo
Boikobo Tlhobogang: Review and Analysis of ICT4D Project – A Case of Telecentres in Botswana
Magnus Li: Mediators to Advocate and Facilitate End-User Participation in Digital Innovation
Terje Sanner & Petter Nielsen: Digital Innovation and the Development Dynamics of ICT4D Projects
17:45 – 19:00: Free time
19:00 – 20:30: Networking reception – Tirana International Hotel hall
Day 2: 23 June 2018
09:00: Registration and Opening
09:30 – 11:00: Keynote Panel: EU Integration and ICT Challenges in Albania and South-East Europe
Mirlinda Karcanaj, General Director, National Agency for Information Society in Albania
Irena Malolli, Director of Infrastructure Projects, Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy
Erton Graceni, Executive Director of PROTIK – ICT Resource Centre Albania
11:00 – 11:30: Coffee break
11:30 – 13:00: Paper session: Education for Development – New Approaches Tools and Models
Chairs: Valentina Ndou, University of Salento; Mirjeta Beqiri, Gonzaga University; Blerta Dragusha, University of Shkoder
Agim Kasaj: Students behaviour intention and continuous use of Moodle in Albania
Valentina Ndou: Entrepreneurial Education for Boosting Local Innovation
13:00 – 14:00: Lunch
14:00 – 15:30: Paper and demo session: Equality and safety issues with digital innovations
Chairs: Tim Unwin, UNESCO Chair in ICT4D and Paul Spiesberger, Technische Universität Wien
Paul Spiesberger: Engineering Consequences of Mobile Systems Technological Constraints in Developing Countries Exemplifed by Mozambique
Kutoma Wakunuma: Hey women can play dirty too! Social media Building and Construction – A tale of empowerment in the developing world
Sirkku Männikkö Barbutiu: A Facebook Account of Ones Own
15:30 – 16:30: Free time
16:30 – 21:30: Tirana tour and gala dinner – Visit Bunkart 2, an underground bunker made to protect the Ministry of Interior staff during communism. Traditional Albanian dinner at restaurant Era Vila.
Day 3: 24 June 2018
09:15 – 09:30: Opening
09:30 – 11:30: Paper session: Digital Technologies and International Crisis
Chairs: Silvia Masiero and M. N. Ravishankar, School of Business and Economics, Loughborough University, UK
Faheem Hussain: Beyond Bullets Challenges and Aspirations of Rohingya Refugees in the Digital Space
Mette Von-Deden: Hopeful lives in uncertain spaces Exploring information practices of undocumented migrants living on the margins of society
PJ Wall: Mobile Health Innovation in Sierra Leone – A Critical Realist Study
Silvia Masiero: Reducing Information Poverty under Crisis – A Study of Ushahidi
11:30 – 12:00: Coffee break
12:00 – 13:00: Closing panel: Robert Davison, Kozeta Sevrani and Tim Unwin: Future vision for sustainable innovation and regional development
13:00 – 14:00: Lunch
Keynote Speakers
Professor Robert Davison
Professor of Information Systems at the City University of Hong Kong
Robert is currently researching on Knowledge Management and Collaboration in Chinese firms, and the Chair of the IFIP WG 9.4. He has published over 200 articles in a variety of journals and conferences, and his work has been cited in excess of 6500 times (H=41).
In a Publishing in International Journals keynote Robert will open up the black box of publishing from the perspective of an Editor in Chief of two very different journals: the AIS Basket of 8 “Information Systems Journal” and the niche “Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries”.
Dr. Mirlinda Karçanaj
General Director of the National Agency of Information Society (NAIS) in Albania
Mirlinda graduated the Faculty of Natural Sciences, in the Department of Computer Sciences, where she also completed her Master of Science and PhD in Informatics. Her research fields include: digitalization, systems interoperability, centralized online services, concerns and solutions regarding information infrastructure, electronic payment and electronic governance in Albania. Her work has been presented in a number of national and international conferences, as well as Albanian and foreign scientific journals.
Mirlinda will talk about ICT innovations: e-Albania, the unique e-government portal. The portal currently provides more than 570 electronic services, out of which 120 e-services bear legal value due to the e-seal or e-signature. The portal has acted as a robust catalyst in decreasing queues in public agencies’ front desks, reducing corruption and bureaucracy, providing citizen equality, decreasing service obtainment time and promoting government transparency.
Erton Graceni
Executive Director at Protik Innovation Center in Albania
Erton holds a master’s degree in Business Management & Technology from the Sheffield University, UK and a bachelor degree in Information Technology. He has completed an Executive MBA in General Management & Leadership Development at the Harvard Business School. During his professional experience he worked as a consultant for several governmental and international organizations such as the World Bank, the World Health Organization, UNDP, the Office of the Prime Minister of Albania, etc.
Erton is very much involved in activities which aim to improve business and social performance of young entrepreneurs in Albania. He will discuss about Challenges for Young Entrepreneurs in Albania: The role of Society, Universities, the Government and the Private Sector on the Development of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Albania.
Irena Malolli
Director of Infrastructure Projects, Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy in Albania
Irena graduated as an Electronic Engineer in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Tirana Polytechnic University in 1991. She holds a Master degree in Telecommunication and Information Engineering, as well as an MBA degree. Actually she is a PhD student in the Faculty of Economic. She has a long experience in the telecommunication and ICT field contributing in the regulatory and policy-making topics and also in the development of e-government and ICT strategy and legislation. Her research fields include data traffic management and pricing policies, ICT developments, e-government etc. Her work has been presented in a number of national and international conferences, as well as Albanian and foreign scientific journals.
Irena will talk about Digital Integration in the South Eastern Europe Countries. Digital infrastructure, broadband development, harmonization of spectrum policies for 5G networks are part of common commitments under Multiannual action plan of Western Balkan Countries adopted in Trieste Summit on July 2017. Speaking about innovation through ICT she will focus on Internet of Things and 5G networks challenges in Albania and in the region.
Submissions
Abstracts, panel and workshop proposals should be sent in PDF format, by email to ifip94euro2018@gmail.com
Panel or workshop sessions (1 page long excluding references) on topical issues bridging across multidisciplinary theory and practice, and professional development training workshop sessions on research impact, methods, fieldwork or publishing.
Extended abstract submissions for research papers (2 pages long excluding references) for presentation at the conference.
Work-in-progress abstract submissions (1 page long excluding references) can be submitted for presentation as posters or demo installations. They will be displayed at the conference.
Submissions should follow the formatting guidelines for the IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology (IFIP AICT). Submissions should include: Title, Author names, Address, Email/URL, Keywords, the main body of the extended abstract and references, if required. It is not necessary to include an abstract section in the extended abstract. A submission template is available HERE, and detailed information is available from:
http://www.springer.com/gb/computer-science/lncs/conference-proceedings-guidelines
Registration fees
|
Early bird Before 30 Apr 2018 EUROS |
Full price From 1 May 2018 EUROS |
|
| Academics and professionals: Developed countries | 290 | 330 |
| Academics and professionals: Developing countries* | 200 | 230 |
| PhD students: Developed countries** | 150 | 170 |
| PhD students: Developing countries*,** | 100 | 120 |
| Distance participation: All*** | 50 | 60 |
| Gala dinner | 40 | 40 |
The full registration tickets include the conference participation fee, a reception on the 22nd of June 2018, coffee breaks and lunches on the 23rd and 24th of June 2018. These fees include a discount of at least 10% for participants from all IFIP member societies. The gala and networking dinner on the 23rd or June 2018 has to be paid separately.
*Developing countries are considered those in the OECD DAC List of ODA Recipients: http://www.oecd.org/dac/stats/daclist.htm Participants from developing countries can apply for a bursary by sending a cover letter along with their submission. Decision will be made based on merit and need.
** PhD Students willing to volunteer for facilitating the event can apply for a bursary by sending a cover letter along with their submission. Decision will be made based on merit and need. Priority will be given to local PhD students.
*** Online participation is for those who want to submit an extended abstract, but who cannot participate in person in the conference. They will have a chance to interact with the participants at the session when their presentation is scheduled and their contribution will be included in the proceedings.
Accommodation, Visa and Transfers
The conference will be hosted at Hotel Tirana International located in the Main Square of Tirana, combining a truly strategic location and breath-taking view of the capital city.
Any visitor who holds a valid, multiple entry and previously used visa issued by a Schengen area country, United States, or the United Kingdom, or a residence permit in these countries can enter Albania without a visa for 90 days. Detailed information about the visa policy of Albania for foreign nationals can be accessed here.
Tirana International Airport Mother Teresa is about 30 min drive from the hotel.
Call for Participation and Bursaries
We plan to offer a number of bursaries to attract Graduate Students from universities in developing countries in Europe or outside, researching on topics of interest for the conference that may have difficulty obtaining support from their host institution to attend the conference.
Bursaries will be allocated on a merit and need basis. If you wish to apply for a bursary, with your submission, please include a cover letter (1 page) demonstrating your need for financial support.
Conference Committee
Conference Chair: Endrit Kromidha, University of Birmingham
Programme Co-Chairs:
Kozeta Sevrani, University of Tirana
Tim Unwin, Royal Holloway University of London
Agim Kasaj, European University of Tirana
Programme Committee
| Jyoti Choudrie | University of Hertfordshire, UK |
| Betim Cico | South East European University, Macedonia |
| Jose-Rodrigo Cordoba-Pachon | Royal Holloway, University of London, UK |
| Robert Davison | City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong |
| Gentian Elezi | Agenda Institute, Albania |
| Neki Frasheri | Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania |
| G Hari Harindranath | Royal Holloway, University of London, UK |
| Richard Heeks | University of Manchester, UK |
| Ravishankar Mayasandra-Nagaraja | Loughborough University, UK |
| Irena Malolli | Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, Albania |
| Silvia Masiero | Loughborough University, UK |
| Petter Neilsen | University of Oslo, Norway |
| Devinder Thapa | University of Agder, Norway |
