National symposium sheds light on benefits of open data

Muscat: The three-day National Open Data Symposium, organised by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) in cooperation with Information Technology Authority (ITA), opened on Monday under the auspices of His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture.
A number of their excellencies and open data professionals were present at the meeting being held at Kempinski Al Mouj Hotel.
The symposium aims to create a platform for dialogue between private and public sectors to expand such data. “The symposium will shed light on the open data in terms of concept, importance, uses and the effect of the same on the Sultanate’s ranking in the international indices systems.
“The symposium will present some successful applications in this field, said Dr. Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Barwani, Chairman of NCSI.
“The open data is one of the basics to provide the best services. Many of the decisions taken rely on the available data for such public and private organisations. The decisions taken are thus based on such data’, said Dr. Salim bin Sultan Al Ruzaiqi, Chairman of ITA’.
On his part, Arthur Mickoleit is a Principal Research analyst in Gartner’s CIO Research and Advisory group said that open data provides higher level of transparency, enhance citizen confidence, improve public services and helps in developing more effective
policies.
He highlighted the efforts made by many governments to get tangible benefits from these sectors and provide necessary reports
on them.
Dr. Ahmed bin Salim Al Hosani, CEO Takween Technology made a presentation on the open data in the Sultanate between reality and aspirations.
He pointed out that the data created by the different public organisations are the main source for the knowledge society and one of the key drivers for commercial and economic growth.
The first session of the symposium included a number of working papers on the ‘Concept and Benefits of Open Data’ and the ‘Open Data in International Reports’.
The second session titled ‘Experiences in Open Data ‘included two working papers on ‘Open Data in Health Sector’, ‘Open Data in Transport and Logistics Sector’, ‘Open Data in Labour Sector’ and ‘Open Data in Environment Sector.’
The third session titled ‘Policies, Frameworks and Laws Regulating Open Data’ included two working papers on ‘Measuring the Charter of Open Data and the Most Recent Trends and Effects in the Field of Open Data’.
The fourth working paper tilted ‘The National and International Impact of Open Data’ included two working papers on ‘How can Open Data Assist in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals? and ‘Horizons of Partnership between the Public and Private Sectors in Respect to Open Data Initiatives.
The symposium included a documentary on open data. The video shed light on the importance of open data in daily lives and the benefits that will be reaped by every one for availing such data in easy to use and process formats.