The principal aim for the Society is to play an active role in the development of Internet culture in Egypt leading to the development of an Egyptian information society. The Chapter includes six standing committees which aim at achieving the Society objectives.

1.1: Conferences and Seminars

Conferences and seminars will keep the members regularly on top of new trends and events. They will also serve as a forum for sharing ideas, developments and concepts amongst the members and the community. These conferences and events extend beyond Greater Cairo and reach out to the 26 governorates.

A conferences’ committee is to take over the responsibility of administering awareness and promotional conferences and meetings.

Committee Tasks

• Identify conference themes and topics that might be of interest to the Egyptian community professionals.
• Set the general outline and the structure of conference events.
• Determine conference speakers, and attendees.
• Prepare executive reports on conferences (attendance, topics, speakers, location).
• Decide on administrative side-issues such as budget, location, receptions, exhibitions, …etc.

Resource Guides (Publications)

Create resource guides for the Internet and its on-line services, including its wide array of potential applications and uses. The guides should be tailored to serve the Egyptian community taking international models into consideration. This also entails making available presentations, brochures, conference papers and reports. Innovations and trends are to be published and distributed to Society members on a monthly basis in order for them to be up to date with current events.

Committee Tasks

• Identify and plan the user needs for publications and guides.
• Set a publications program to be adopted and reviewed regularly.
• Develop and monitor the Society's publications program.
• Encourage members of the Society to participate in the publications program.

Committee Chair:

Saeed Sonbol ssonbol@idsc.gov.eg

Committee Co-Chair:

Nadia Hegazy nhegazy@idsc.gov.eg

Promoting the goals of the Society on an international level as well as serving as a liaison between Egypt and the International society. Collaboration and cooperation with other international bodies is to be realized through contacts and exchange of ideas about common issues of concern such as standards, research and education, and other applied disciplines.

International Conferences & Exhibitions

Participation in international conferences that the Internet society holds worldwide is to develop contacts with affiliations with international organizations. This will extend the opportunities for expansion and promotion of the Society's activities.

In addition, participating in the international exhibitions will keep the members at pace with innovations and trends. It will also provide them with the opportunity to update and enhance their skills and capabilities.

Committee Chair:

Hisham El Sherif hsherif@idsc.gov.eg

Committee Co-Chair

Tarek Kamel tkamel@idsc.gov.eg

 

Code of Ethics

A committee should be formed to deal with issues pertaining to the code of ethics of the Internet use. Internet resources are to be used in a responsible manner, consistent with the informational purposes for which they are provided and to follow the rules and regulations of proper management of information.

The code of ethics includes the following:

• Users must not use the internet for illegal, unauthorized, and/or unethical purposes.
• Users must not attempt to browse and/or access data and/or files of other users.
• Users must not attempt to damage or modify files or data belonging to other users without their permission.
• Users must not send obscene, harassing, and/or threatening messages to other users.
• sers must not distribute or use the login names and/or passwords of other users.

Internet Service Providers -ISP's

A subcommittee including representatives of the Internet service providers of Egypt is formed and shall be the respresentative body of the ISP's in Egypt. It shall set the code of practice for internet usage.

Society By-Laws (Guidelines)

a) Membership

b) Meetings of Members

c) Board of Directors

d) Committees

e) Annual Dues for membership

f) Financial Administration

g) Amendments to bylaws

 

Committee Chair:

Samir Hamza samir.m.hamza@bakernet.com

Committee Co-Chair:

Hossam Loutfy

4.1. Education of Opportunities

Because of the rapidly changing nature of the Internet and the continuous introduction of new developments, professional development and educational programs should be part of a lifelong process of members of the Internet community.

Tasks

• Set and maintain standards and strategies for all aspects of training and educational programs.
• Plan and monitor instructional programs for individuals and organizations focusing on the internet and related disciplines and applied fields.
• Identify available international workshops and seminars of potential interest to the members;
• Collaborate with other Internet Society chapters involved in development of training workshops and instructional programs, and/or set the successful ones as models for initiating local programs.

4.2. Awards & Contests

Awards programs and contests are to be organized to motivate and stimulate individuals and institutions to participate in the events and to honor those who have contributed and added value to the use of internet in Egypt. A sub-committee can be elected to take the responsibility of administering such events.

Tasks

• Nominate criteria for awards’ selection such as adding a significant impact on a certain area, offering innovative solutions, or addressing basic problems.
• Identify members with special interests and potential for leadership roles
• Organize competitions and award programs.
• Identify internet applications that can improve effectiveness and quality of various disciplines and directions.
• Create award publicity programs such as outreach workshops, training opportunities,…etc.

4.3. Information Building

Today’s Internet information services and applications are overwhelmed by international presence. Building information contents that will serve and promote the Egyptian community is a primary responsibility.

Tasks

• Identify and structure the required content that will serve the Egyptian community and address its needs.
• Develop an action plan for the Arabization of Egypt-based Internet services and applications.
• Build Egyptian databases for different fields and applications.

Committee Chair:

Osman Badr obadr@frcu.eun.eg

Committee Co-Chair:

 

Nadia Hegazy nhegazy@idsc.gov.eg

 

5.1. Membership Administration

A committee is to be responsible for the administration of membership for the Society for both individuals and corporations.

Tasks:

• Set the criteria and necessary conditions for membership
• Promote the activities of the society to encourage membership
• Set payment rates for different membership categorie Initiative

5.2. Members’ Network

An electronic network for the society members is to be created to facilitate focal communication and dissemination of information. The network shall include the following services:

• Facilitate member-to-member interactions through electronic mail.
• Provide an opportunity for each member to broadcast messages to other members through bulletin board.
• Discuss specific issues with other members through special interest discussion groups.
• Build databases providing access to valuable information on chapter administration, international chapters, conference information, publications, professional development and research projects.

Tasks

• Identify types of information and databases to be available for the board, for members, and for the public.
• Plan for additional information and/or communication services according to the board and members suggestions and needs.
• Decide on information and communication security levels

Committee Chair:

Dr. Nagui Anis nanis@starnet.com.eg

Committee Co-Chair:

Dr. Abou El Foutouh Salama asalama@idsc.gov.eg

6.1.Objectives

The Electronic Commerce Committee was founded in October 1997 by a member of the Internet Society of Egypt with the objectives of:

1. Building e-commerce awareness in Egypt;
2. Investigating e-commerce activities and initiatives taken by the various key players in e-commerce;
3. Putting forth to the public the key steps to be taken in order to practically implement e-commerce; and
4. Catalyzing the development of a national initiative of e-commerce.

6.2.Activities - 1998

• Approached the following entities to explore their agendas for e-commerce and to gain awareness on their vision:

- Banks - Tax authorities- Legal authorities - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• Presented a paper “Towards Electronic Commerce in Egypt, A Certificate Authority for Egypt” at the CAINET ’98 Internet Conference in Cairo. This paper presented several models for the establishment of a certificate authority in Egypt.
• Workshops conducted and participated in several workshops on electronic commerce:

  - Giza Systems Seminar on E-commerce

  - Association for Graduates and Trainees from Britain and Egypt

• Attended international conferences to explore the current global status of e-commerce:

  • Africa Telecom ’98

  • INET ‘98
  • G8 Global Marketplace for SME’s
  • UNCTAD - Partnerships for Development
• Developed a draft of a discussion paper for e-commerce in Egypt, which will evolve into Egypt’s National Initiative for E-commerce.
• Organized and presented most of the papers at the National Workshop on Electronic Commerce – September 29-30^th, 1998 in Cairo, Egypt. The purpose of the workshop was to hold discussions on the four main controversial issues requiring resolution:

• Government Role

• Legal and Regulatory Issues

• Financial Issues

• Market Access Issues

• Organized the e-commerce track for CAINET’98 and will do the same for the business track of CAINET’99.The committee intends to continue on its endeavor to build e-commerce awareness in the country through roadshows and awareness sessions in various industrial areas and governorates and in actively participating in the Egyptian National Committee on E-commerce.

Committee Chair:

Mr. Wafik Ezzeldin wafik@usa.net

Committee Co-Chair:

Magda Ismail magdam@idsc1.gov.eg