Georgia’s IT Experts Get ‘Networked’
Alumni of a USAID training exchange recently established the Information Technology Association of Georgia—the first of its kind—to support Georgia’s burgeoning Information Technology (IT) industry. The program, Community Connections, offers unique three- to five-week practical training and internship opportunities in the U.S. for Georgian professionals that demonstrate the day-to-day functioning of a free market system and create links between American and Georgian regions and communities. The IT delegation was hosted at the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina included representatives of government agencies, private companies, and educational institutions.
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| Georgian IT experts visit the North Carolina Technology Association in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park |
During the internship program, the alumni participated in management and strategic planning seminars given by instructors from the Small Business and Technology Development Center at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Site visits were conducted with member organizations of the Research Triangle Park.
The idea of establishing the Information Technology Association of Georgia emerged during the group’s visit to the North Carolina Technology Association. The association is comprised of representatives of leading IT companies and represents the public interest, protects IT company rights in the public sector, helps draft legislation, and provides professional development and networking opportunities for its members.
The Georgian IT experts were convinced of the need to establish an information technology association after seeing first-hand the achievements of American professional organizations. The Information Technology Association of Georgia caters to companies and individuals interested in IT field development; connects community members, companies and association resources; supports the development of the IT industry; organizes conferences, exhibitions, training and round tables; conducts research; helps draft legislation and regulations; and develops IT opportunities for the broader community.
The Information Technology Association of Georgia was officially launched in late 2006, less than four months after the alumni returned from the U.S. In early 2007, the association began to recruit members and establish programs.
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