Internet, Communication & Networking Program

In 1992, RITSEC launched the Communications and Networking program to support the region's initiatives in developing an information technology infrastructure. Since its inception, RITSEC has played a vital role as a key partner in advancing networking capabilities and content across the region.

RITSEC had the leadership in partnering with the Cabinet’s Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) to establish one of the first Internet service providers in both Egypt and the broader region.

Through a large number of projects under this program, RITSEC has been able to mobilize various resources to work on improving the ICT infrastructure in the Arab region.

Partnership Agreements

In 1994, RITSEC expanded its international collaboration efforts by partnering with leading global organizations.

It established an affiliate in Silicon Valley through an agreement with Advanced Computer Communication Company (ACC), resulting in two key projects: the development of advanced OSI routing protocol software and the automation of testing tools for various network protocols.

The project teams also provided technical support for ACC’s La Poste project in France.

Additionally, RITSEC partnered with the BBC of Bahrain to promote IT development in the Gulf and Middle East, focusing on networking, communications, and industrial process control

Distance Learning Program Infrastructure

In 1998, RITSEC set up a distance learning infrastructure featuring a dedicated LAN linked directly to Egypt’s Internet gateway to ensure stable connectivity. The project also included videoconferencing capabilities via ISDN and VSAT.

The Information Highway Unit

Established in 1995, RITSEC’s Information Highway Unit aimed to enhance regional information infrastructure by developing interconnectivity, offering basic network services, and incubating specialized networks. Its goal was to deliver value-added services to a growing user base. The Unit launched several networks to support these networks:

1-Arabic/Latin Email System

RITSEC customized a widely used system to serve its Arab region clients, offering email, file transfer, and bulletin board services over Novell and GE carrier networks.

2-Trade Information Systems

This program builds a generic trade information system based on RITSEC’s TradeNet, adapted to meet specific client requirements.

3- Trade Net

TradeNet is a trade information system developed to promote investment and trade by delivering accurate, reliable, and effective information to governments, businesses, and individuals. It facilitates the collection, analysis, and dissemination of trade, investment, and technology data globally.

4-Presidential Web Site

In 1997, RITSEC developed the official website for the Egyptian presidency, launched by President Hosni Mubarak at C@inet ’97. The site features biographies of the president and first lady, presidential news, and detailed information about Egypt’s history, geography, political system, economy, and investment opportunities. The site also features an interactive tour of Abdeen Palace, the residence of Egypt’s president.

5-RITSEC Business Online

RITSEC Business Online is an online trading network that offers corporations and individuals access to information on investment opportunities.

6-TourismNet

RITSEC’s TourismNet is a website featuring eight online databases of tourist attractions and services in Egypt. It has earned international recognition with the "Top 5% Award." RITSEC has also submitted proposals to donor agencies to expand the site to include other Arab countries.

7-HealthNet

HealthNet is a website offering links to six online databases in English and Arabic, covering hospitals, physicians, medical companies, and pharmaceuticals in Egypt. RITSEC also provided training, workshops, and seminars to help healthcare providers use the Internet and established an email list server to encourage interaction among healthcare professionals.

8-CultureNet

RITSEC developed a website for the Arab Region chapter of the International Council of Museums, detailing its mission and regional activities.

Environmental Information Technology Solutions (EITS)

RITSEC’s EITS project supports sustainable development by providing:

* IT tools for environmental studies and program management
* GIS and remote sensing technologies
* Training, consulting, and custom Internet applications

Key Milestones & Partnerships:

* 1992 – CEDARE Collaboration:

* Established an Information Service Unit
* Created regional environmental databases, a documentation center, and a GIS lab
* Developed tools for water quality, irrigation, salinity, and soil degradation across six Arab countries
* Hosted an email conference on salinity and created smaller systems like contact databases and data spreadsheets

* 1994 – Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR):

Chosen over international competitors to build an environmental information system in partnership with UNDP and Kuwait’s Ministry of Planning
Project executed in two phases:
Phase 1: System design and implementation
Phase 2: Developed a national GIS database, decision-support tools, and reporting systems
Outputs included environmental indicators databases, system documentation, and capacity-building

Impact and Expansion:

* Success of CEDARE and KISR projects led to the formal establishment of the EITS unit
* EITS assisted Egypt’s Ministry of Environment by:
* Providing office automation, networking, and online platforms
* Helping secure funding from national and international donors
* EITS has also implemented systems for:
* Coastal and air pollution monitoring (with DANIDA and USAID)
* National parks support (through EU funding)
* Raising awareness and promoting IT use in environmental protection

Projects

1. The Regional Environmental Meta-Database

Established in 1995 in partnership with CIESIN, the Regional Environmental Meta-Database stores satellite imagery and various data types—raster, vector, and numerical—for use by the environment ministries of Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco

2. Environmental Law Expert System

Developed in 1995, the Environmental Law Expert System is based on Egypt’s Environmental Law 4 and offers legal reasoning through questions and answers and case evaluation, helping users ensure compliance with national regulations.

3. Environmental Information Highway Project

✓ It aims to connect all departments, centers, and institutes involved in environmental work to enhance collaboration, streamline communication, and improve the management of environmental data and information.
✓ The system offers access to organizational websites, value-added services, project databases, events, and news, promoting integrated networking among environmental stakeholders.
✓ So far, the project has launched three websites for government, NGO, and private sector organizations, including an electronic shopping service. It has also developed a weather forecast GIS, a “Green Ideas” newsgroup, an environmental law database, and a contacts database.
✓ Additionally, EITS created a comprehensive database documenting all environmental monitoring, protection, and awareness projects carried out in Egypt.

4. Environment Workstation

The Environment Workstation is a robust knowledge-based system that integrates hardware, software, communication utilities, and data interfaces for processing both national and international environmental data.

5. Environment Information System

EITS developed a generic framework for creating environmental information systems, either as standalone systems or centers. The program produces a detailed study on system requirements, information gathering methods, and necessary resources.

6.Clean Air Multimedia Program

Through its EITS project, RITSEC developed a CD-ROM aimed at Arab youth, featuring educational and entertaining content about air pollution. The CD, with an Arabic interface, uses photos, videos, animated graphics, text narration, and games to engage and educate the audience.

7.Environmental Education and Awareness Programs

✓ EITS has developed educational and awareness programs focused on the environment, providing tools for creating educational content and multimedia interactive courses.
✓ RITSEC has organized regional conferences and workshops to promote environmental themes and raise awareness. In 1996, it conducted an "Environment Infobahn" Internet training course for environmentalists, in collaboration with the Regional Information Technology Institute (RITI). The course, covering major environmental issues, was held six times throughout the year.
✓ In 1996, RITSEC organized a regional workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, titled "Planning in an Uncertain and Complex Environment: Phase V of the NLTPS Process – Building Africa’s Information Highway." The workshop, held from April 30 to May 8, aimed to develop an action framework for building Africa's information and communication infrastructure.
✓ RITSEC and EITS have pioneered the use of information technology in environmental protection and sustainable development. As environmental issues grow in importance, RITSEC is focused on developing effective tools to process, analyze, and retrieve data on Earth’s resources, making them accessible to the region.

Other Projects

✓ The Regional Environmental Meta-Database- stores various data types, including satellite images, raster, vector, and numerical data, for the environmental ministries of Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco.

✓ The Environmental Law Expert System- offers legal reasoning through question-andanswer generation and case evaluation, helping users navigate environmental laws.

✓ Environment Information Highway – provides access to web sites, value-added services, projects databases, events, and news .

✓ Environment Workstation – software, hardware, communication utilities and data interfaces for the processing of national and international environmental data.

✓ Environmental Information System (EIS)- provides a generic framework for establishing an EIS as either a system or a center. It includes outputs such as a comprehensive study of system requirements, information gathering methods, and necessary resources.

✓ Environmental Education and Awareness Programs- provide tools to assist in creating educational programs and developing multimedia training courses.

✓ Clean Air Multimedia Program – A CD-ROM was developed for youth, featuring educational and entertaining content about air pollution. It includes an Arabic interface and utilizes photos, videos, animated graphics, and narration.

Information & Software Engineering Program

RITSEC supported Arab countries in developing their IT and Software Engineering sectors by leveraging state-of-the-art tools and techniques from international alliances. It trained a team of internationally certified software engineers and applied this expertise to implement various projects across multiple Arab countries using the latest tools and techniques

Among these tools that RITSEC utilized are the following:

• Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE), which RITSEC gained through an agreement with Texas Instruments (TI), enabling it to acquire 13 copies of the CASE software and to receive training for 25 engineers.
• Information Engineering (IE)
• Information Strategy Planning (ISP)
• Structured Methodologies:
1. 1. Information Architecture: Defines organizational functions and aligns them with information needs.
2. 2. Business Architecture: Identifies control of activities and groups similar functions and data.
3. 3. Technical Architecture: Specifies hardware and networking requirements.

RITSEC trained a team of internationally certified software engineers by leveraging advanced tools and international alliances. This specialized team successfully implemented projects in several Arab countries and later expanded to other regions. The outcomes of RITSEC's work include implemented projects, developed products, consulting and technical assistance services, and organized events.

Projects

Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD)
The project developed executive and management information systems to support strategic planning, monitoring, control, and efficient information dissemination, particularly for top management. RITSEC provided AFESD with services including information systems development, training, consultancy, project management, and technical support.

Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The project developed JETNET, an integrated business information network, utilizing advanced technology platforms to ensure effective and efficient dissemination of business information among beneficiaries.

General Secretariat of the Development Council of Oman
The project aimed to develop key socioeconomic information systems and databases to support government decision-making. It focused on enhancing the Council's information capabilities by establishing socioeconomic databases and reporting tools to aid in decision-making and activities.

National Committee for M & POWs Affairs (Prisoners of War)
The project developed and further institutionalized information services and their use within the Committee, strengthening its ability to leverage data for decision-making and operational efficiency.

TradeNet
The project aimed to promote investment, trade, and technology by providing accurate, timely, and reliable information to government organizations and individuals. It focused on establishing a prototype Trade Information Network using existing communications resources at member agencies.

Operational Unit for Development Assistance (OUDA)
The project developed a Consultant and Expert Roster, featuring a data entry and modification subsystem, a reporting system, mailing label functionality, and a data maintenance facility for efficient management and updates.

TCDC – INRES
The project involved updating the compendium of training programs and the expertise capacities of Egyptian institutions listed in the TCDC-INRES database, ensuring accurate and current information.

Institutes for Arabic Studies and Researches – Leagues of Arab States
The project designed and implemented a system to create a database for storing and retrieving students' personal data.

Information Technology Incubation Program

Recognizing the potential of IT growth in the 21st century, RITSEC has played a key role in supporting the establishment and investment in several IT companies. These companies operate on business terms and provide value-added IT and communication services. As part of its mission to drive socio-economic development through IT, RITSEC has actively contributed to the creation of ICT companies.

Projects

Regional Information Technology Enterprise (RITE)
In 1995, RITE was established as a limited liability company offering services in:
✓ Developing information networks for business, trade, and investment sectors.
✓ Providing interconnectivity and networking facilities for various information sources
✓ Advancing the use of information and networking technologies in trading and marketing
• Egyptian Banks Company for Technological Advancement
• Legislation & Development Information Services Co. (LADIS)
• LADIS is an Egyptian Shareholding company, established in 1996, under law 230/ 1989

e-Knowledge
Founded in 2001, e-Knowledge originated as the development arm of RITSEC's knowledge program, aiming to become the e-learning hub of the Middle East. Recognizing the growing role of e-learning in education and knowledge acquisition, eKnowledge strives to enrich the region's knowledge economy. Its solutions offer the right training tools in both English and Arabic, creating an ideal e-learning environment that combines current methodologies with innovative strategies for transitioning to the new knowledge age.

Arab Cyber Education “ace”
ACE, a new company established and incubated by RITSEC, offers internationally accredited IT and management online training to thousands of Arab professionals. Its mission is to bridge the digital gap in the Arab World and accelerate the region's transition to a knowledge-based society.

International Plant Genetic Resource Institute “IPGRI”
IPGRI, an international organization focused on conserving and utilizing genetic diversity, partnered with RITSEC to support IT-related activities through the incubation of the Genetic Resources Information System (GRIS). The collaboration includes a broad range of technical support services.s