Background

The Worldwide Centre of Excellence (CoE) Network consists of regional mechanisms aimed at strengthening the capacity within each region in order to develop high-level know-how and expertise in telecommunication policy, regulatory issues, corporate management and advanced telecommunication technology.

CoE Programmes & Objectives

Since 2003, over 15,000 telecommunication/ICT professionals and executives have received top-quality training through the 6 Regional CoEs and have benefited from the continuous support of BDT Partners including Manufacturers, Operators, Regulators, Governments and Academia. These partners have contributed greatly to the creation of a recognized CoE brand.

All countries need highly developed human resources to facilitate the transition to the new telecommunication environment. The increased use of new technologies, the move towards corporatization and competition, and the separation of regulatory functions from operational services require advanced level policy, regulatory, managerial and technological expertise.

Building on the experience and infrastructure already in place as well as responding to regional needs and priorities, the BDT decided to establish CoEs in the following regions:

The Global Network of ITU CoEs

The CoEs have been designed to assist and offer training opportunities to the staff in Telecom entities, so that they may manage sector reform, including national sector priorities and regulations, as well as senior corporate managers in the management of networks and services. In addition, the centres serve as regional focal points for professional development, research and information, and provide consultancy services to government and private sector. 

CoE Implementation Methodology

The implementation of operational activities at each CoE is carried out with reference to some experience-based guidelines. They can be summarized as follows:  

• Particular role of the HOST country and its related Expertise:

• Compulsory involvement of Subject matter experts and eventual Training Experts.

• Compulsory contribution to case studies and eventual development models.

• Appropriate balance between: National expertise, Regional expertise and International expertise

• Appropriate choice of the leading expert for each step.

• Strong commitment to TEAM building.

Guarantee of the implementation of a CAPITALIZATION PROCESS: Contribution to a regional database, dissemination of best practices, support of living resources, feedback effect, dissemination and up-dating of reference plus training materials, etc.

CoE Advantages

The advantages of ITU-CoE can be summarized as follows:  

• Highly specialized in nature

• Supported by ITU information, expertise and network

• Partnership with our Members and Sector Members comprising of Policy Makers, Regulators, Industry and organizations

• Strong capability of nodes

• Cost effective training programs

Opportunity to build relationship with colleagues and peers in other organizations & countries

ASP-CoE

Asia Pacific Center of Excellence (ASP CoE) was established inline with Doha’s World Telecommunication Development Conference 2006 resolutions (WTDC, 2006) which among others emphasize the need for human capacity building initiatives especially in the developing nations.  A network of Nodes has been established for mutual benefits of the countries falling in Asia and Pacific Region. Following five Nodes have been established in 2007:-

Program Leader: Host country will act as Program Leader and will provide space and logistic support. Moreover, Program structure is to be a mix of on-line and face to face. Seminars / Trainings.

Secretariat: ITU Regional Office at Bangkok will act as Secretariat for Asia & Pacific Nodes.

Partners: countries will provide assistance to the host country in running the training program. Training Partners are linked primarily to one Node but may also support other nodes .

Financial Support: Provide financial support for external experts for first 18 months. However, the Nodes will function as self sustained entity and will charge the fee from the participants on cost basis for the subsequent years.

CoE Management: A Management Committee comprising of Member Administrations (5), Nodes, ITU and other international organizations (on invitation basis) to form the governing body.