Kenya and S. Korea Sign Collaboration MOU to Enhance ICT
Press Release
The Government of the Republic Kenya through the Ministry of ICT, represented by Cabinet Secretary, Joe Mucheru and the Government of the Republic of Korea through the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, represented by Minister Choi Yanghee, have today signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning in Seoul Korea, as a follow-up to the state visit to Kenya by the Korean President earlier this year.
The purpose of the MoU is to enhance cooperation between the two counties in the field of ICT. The two countries have agreed to encourage cooperation and exchange between government ministries, agencies, research and training institutes, businesses and other organisations of the two countries. For the mutual benefit, the two countries have identified areas of cooperation in policy, institutions, technology development and service. This include but are not limited to:
- Mobile communications including 3G, 4G and 5G (next-generation)
- High-speed internet network (broadband), services and applications;
- Software
- Data protection and cyber security;
- New industries in the ICT field including cloud computing, big data and internet of things (IoT); f) Contents including digital contents;
- Internet address management and Internet governance;
- Digital convergence and application;
- Spectrum management including utilization of radio resources and radio monitoring;
- Technical standardization and certification;
- Human resource development in the field of ICT; and
- lOther areas in the ICT sector as jointly decided upon by the Sides.
The Countries have agreed to cooperate on the following areas of common interest and foster diverse ways of cooperation.
- Exchanging and sharing information including policy and technology;
- Mutual exchanges of delegates and experts;
- Jointly hosting seminars and workshops;
- Participating in ICT related conferences and events hosted by the two countries and supporting mutual visits;
- Promoting joint projects including research and development;
- Cooperating at international organizations such as International Telecommunication Union (ITU); g) Cooperating in exchanges of human resources such as training and educating programs;
- Supporting cooperation among ICT & Broadcasting-related organizations, universities and businesses of both countries; and
- Other cooperative activities agreed by the countries
This MoU cements various cooperation activities between the two countries which include setting up of the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and KONZA Technocity. KAIST took sixth place in the list of “The World’s Top 100 Most Innovative Universities.” Thomson Reuters released the list on September 28, 2016. Investing in Educational and Research Institutions is a key pillar in growing Kenya’s ICT ecosystem and the achievement of our Vision 2030 milestones. In addition, securing of Kenya’s Cyber Space through corporation of the country’s Cyber Security Agencies . Globalisation and the massive use of internet has led to increased insecurity in Kenya’s cyber space providing a safe ecosystem for all can only be done through partnerships and corporation with other countries
This MOU will lead to the realisation of the immense potential that the two countries hold in ICT recognising the importance of bilateral cooperation in various ICT sectors to meet ICT development requirements of the two countries.