ISTeC Research Retreat – Emerging Economies

I enjoyed facilitating the 2007 Information Science & Technology Center's (ISTeC) – research retreat breakout on "information technology (IT) to benefit emerging economies." The discussion was lively and interesting and in part has motivated me to author this blog – titled "Switchspace." There was interest from those in attendance to continue the discussion and I am hoping that those who read "Switchspace" will comment and think about future collaboration.

Of interest to those in attendance were projects like MIT's One Laptop per Child initiative and other open source educational concepts. There are many other examples such as Rice University's Connexions, a collaborative environment for freely publishing and sharing educational content over the internet, and MIT's OpenCourseWare a free and open source for educators and students from around the world.

We talked about how we are all experiencing shifts in our thinking, opening up to global opportunities and challenges. However, our discussion seemed to return to our current paradigm – that of how to work within the confines of the university. The discussion turned toward finding funding to support student and faculty exchanges, identifying university expertise and connecting that expertise to emerging economies (all fine goals). I think that this is what we currently do, but I feel that we may be missing the "mindshift." If we follow this model, do we not remain the "center of the universe" (the University), and does this stifle creativity and innovation on a global level? I argue that we currently make our identity by controlling content? Is this identity sustainable in a future where information is so readily available? Do we need to "Switchspace?"

To me Switchspace is the need to think and act "open" – releasing ideas and content. We are at the forefront of this "mindshift" but others (Rice, MIT, provide other examples if you have them) are creating "hubs" out of this of activity.