Economic Aspects of Development of the Black Sea Countries’ Network Academies

Giuli Keshelashviliu Assistant Professor Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Candidate of Economic Sciences

In result of opening of the way to the west to the energy resources of Caspian Sea and Central Asia, expansion of the European Union and NATO the Black Sea Region acquired the transit corridor function and it became the European sea.

Through it Georgia realizes its Euro-Atlantic aspirations and actively participates in Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC) and organization for democracy and economic development GUAM (Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Moldova).
As early as on 25th June 1992, heads of 11 countries of the Black Sea Basin: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Turkey and Ukraine (Serbia joined in 2004), through adoption of Bosporus Declaration and signing of Istanbul Protocol have established BSEC, which relied on the generally accepted principles of the international law. Its main goals include economic development of the region and its stability, welfare of the populations of the member countries and support to development of the democratic processes in the Black Sea space. In this respect, support to use of the new technologies, tools and innovative products, as well as implementation of the new practices and work techniques is of great significance, with respect of expansion of the area of activities, entry to the world market, sharing of knowledge and experience, processes acceleration and costs reduction.
Currently, regarding the electronic commerce, the workers, managers, instructors and organizations can acquire new methods of work, providing basis for creation of new jobs. In the countries of Caucasian Region, development of the information and communication infrastructure is of critical significance for employment, economic growth, competitiveness of the enterprises and welfare of the population. It promotes collaboration between the eastern and western countries and achievement of comparable economic conditions. In this respect, preparation, support and promotion of rapid introduction process of the experience achieved in electronic economy and know-how.
Grena, the association of Georgian scientific-education computer networks plays significant role in expansion of the information and communication infrastructure in Georgia.
Association Grena was founded on 26th July 1999 and its founders are: Academy of Sciences of Georgia, Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgian State Technical University, Tbilisi State Pedagogical University, Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgian State Agrarian University, Institute of High Energy Physics of Tbilisi State University, fund Open Society – Georgia. Professor Ramaz Kvatadze, doctor of physical;-mathematical sciences is the head (Executive Director) of Grena from the date of its establishment.
Regarding the specific nature of work with the Association, information and communication services provided by Grena include delivery of rigorous internet services and are intended for the staff and the students.
Currently, Grena network covers the leading Georgian universities, education and research centers, international organizations, foundations, ministries – over 80 entities in aggregate. Association’s work expanded beyond Tbilisi and covered Kutaisi, Batumi, Telavi. In implementation of the stated goals, Association Grena, through use of the advanced information technologies, develops the infrastructure of computer network connecting Georgian educational and scientific institutions, the libraries, museums and other non-profit institutions, into single aggregate system. It promotes development of the information centers and local networks in Georgian educational and scientific institutions connecting them to the international telecommunication network.
At the international arena, Grena extensively collaborates with the respective structures of NATO and EU. Currently it is involved in such significant international projects as “SEE-GRID Infrastructure for Regional Science”; “Black Sea Union”; “Organization of the Communication Centers in the Southern Caucasus Countries”; “Improvement of Security and Development of Grena Network Infrastructure”; “Functioning and Further Development of Georgian Scientific-Educational Computer Networks” etc.
Grena creates not only information and communication infrastructure but also takes care about training of the relevant professionals. Professional training and education in the information and communication technologies sphere is provided on the basis of Grena Regional Cisco Network Academy.
Grena offers to the users two-step education, based on CCNA and Network Security certified programs. CCNA course is the first step in formation of professionals in planning, installation and administration of the small and medium networks. It provides basis for all Cisco certificates. After completion of Network Security course the student will be able to reasonably plan the general system of network security, introduce and manage functional components of the network security, provide timely and competent response to the accidents. This course includes theoretical and practical training with network hardware of Cisco systems. Upon successful completion of the course the student receive the relevant certificate.
From its independence up to present, Georgia has made over 360 international agreements with the NATO member countries and 140 of them deal with the sphere of economics. Well developed international economic relations with NATO member countries are one of the preconditions for NATO membership. International trade relations should be particularly mentioned. Currently, large trade partners of Georgia are turkey, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, USA and Bulgaria. Significant share of the NATO and EU projects implemented in Georgia involves Grena, Association of Georgian scientific-educational computer networks. Grena implements the educational projects in close collaboration with the universities and scientific institutes, with the support from NATO scientific program, EU and fund Open Society – Georgia. Funding provided by them was EURO 1460500; 145700 and 410000, in the period 1999-2009, respectively.
Role of the software professionals in development of project management programs allowing management of several projects at one time is indeed significant. Programs provide application of such methods of project planning, as grant graphs, network diagrams, responsibility matrices etc. This software package is related to the internet technologies, which provides access to the critical information. Use of the website program improves the work and allows information exchange between the teams working on one and the same projects in different regions. Project virtual teams communicate via electronic means. Currently information exchange, with respect of the project is possible via e-mail, telecommunications, fax and videoconferences. Association Grena has the professional equipment of the videoconferences allowing conducting of the high quality videoconferences via internet. it is included into the EveNetwork world videoconferences network. Project teams can arrange the meetings; e-mails are accompanied with the video messages. Individual programs of project management are related to the information systems of greater complexity providing coordination of several projects. These systems are connected to the central information system of the organization. There are applied stimulating evaluation systems promoting effective project management. There is applied the project monitoring system: long-term projects are subjected to the planned inspection showing project progress and determining corrections as required. These projects are closely related to the strategic requirements of the organization; relation between the strategic goals and projects are clear for each member of the organization.
Grena Project Manager is always oriented towards development of the global perspectives. Therefore, its representatives always work successfully in different countries at one time together with their partners.
It is clear that in implementation of the integration projects the financial-credit system is of special significance. Its main purpose is providing financial resources to the projects. Therefore, the issue of investment attractiveness of Georgia is prioritized.
Support to development of information and communication infrastructure in Black Sea Countries implies better awareness in the most recent communication practices, new methods of work and trade, new forms of education and leisure, to allow people to be innovators, work with higher effectiveness and productivity to provide basis for improvement of life quality, what is a precondition for creation of the society aware in the digital systems. Education projects implemented by Grena with the funding from NATO, EU, Open Society – Georgia, International Center of Science and Technologies and Center of Science and technologies of Ukraine promote introduction of know-how in the Black Sea Countries, provides to the people the opportunity to acquire the necessary knowledge of new technologies, improves the level of their competence.
Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation has great potential for implementation of mutually beneficial regional projects though contradictions between the member countries often hinder development of actual cooperation. Example of this is aggressive politics of Russia against Georgia in August 2008 what is completely against the principles of the Organization, undermines its effectiveness and calls for reformation of BSEC with respect of improvement of its effectiveness.
Tel: 899-324515; 822-226539
E-mail: giuli777@gmail.com