The scientific and practical conference "Info-Communication Technologies in the Regional Development"

The Sixth annual interregional scientific and practical conference "Info-Communication Technologies in the Regional Development" organized by the Information Technology Department of the Smolensk region started its work. The conference is traditionally held in Smolensk and has already proved itself an important platform for discussion of the most relevant topics and issues in the field of regional informatization.

More than 350 participants including more than 100 representatives from other regions registered to take part in this IT-forum. The conference format includes plenary sessions, section meetings and panel discussions. The results and Awards ceremony of the annual regional competition "Information technology in education" will also be announced at the conference.

The speakers at the plenary session pointed out that information technology has long ceased to be merely a tool of automatization of different routine operations and has become a powerful support for economic growth and management modernization. With the constantly increasing rate of technological development, the opportunity for a constructive dialogue and exchange of experience among experts is extremely important.

Today much attention is paid to discussing priorities in the regional informatization. Without any doubt providing access to services which are really necessary for people is the main one. No matter who provides the service – a state, a budget or private organization - the citizens must have a convenient access to it.

As the conference participants pointed out, the active work of the sections and the panel discussions on providing electronic services, setting up multifunctional centers, using universal e-cards and other relevant issues will facilitate doing this important task.

Thus, the results of the conference will contribute to the further development of information and communication technologies, the relevant industries and the key areas of regional activities.

The highlight of the conference was the presentation of the virtual 3D-tour of the city of Smolensk: 3d.admin-smolensk.ru

The project was designed for the Administration of the Smolensk region and comprises a three-dimensional model of the historic part of the city, 167 detailed sites of the cultural heritage, spherical photopanoramas and panoramic photos of the interiors, as well as information cards of the sites in two languages - Russian and English.