There has been a tremendous response from the international IT experts and public as well as private sector organisations to the upcoming Bahrain IT Society's (BITS) two-day Smart Card conference, said Hussain Naimi, Chairman of conference organising committee.
"Registrations are pouring in for the BITS Smart Card conference to be held in the Kingdom on January 31 and February 1," Naimi said.
The conference is being organised in co-operation with the Central Informatics Organisation (CIO), the Government entity which is implementing a smart card (CIO) project in Bahrain.
"Last week the CIO announced that the issuing of Smart Cards to the citizens will start from middle of this year. Therefore, the theme of the conference showcasing both Smart Card technology and solutions is apt and will help to spread the awareness about smart cards," Naimi said.
A Smart Card is of the size of a credit card, which bears a small microprocessor. The microprocessor makes the card "smart" and differentiates it from other plastic cards.
The card can process instructions, just like a Personal Computer rather than just store information. The card can be programmed, and new applications could be added after its issue. It can also store comparatively large amounts of information and can control access to its stored information.
The conference will shed light on the use of Smart Card for various industry applications.
"The Smart Card implementation in Bahrain is helping to build a new infrastructure to facilitate the creation of more efficient and secure processes for government, business and administration in Bahrain. The new card will become the standard identification card for the purposes of interaction with Government ministries," Naimi said.
The conference will discuss and deliberate on how this powerful technology will change and influence the social and the business environment in the region
"Expert speakers from USA, Germany. UK, Malaysia, UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia will address the conference which will cover both technology and business aspects of smart cards," said Mohammed Nass, the President of BITS.
Dr Jerry Brightman, the President of the Leadership Group, USA, will be the keynote speaker on the opening day.
Dr Brightman speech will be entitled "Technology & Change Leadership in the Smart Society".
On the second day Hussain Redha, the General Manager HR and Admin of Bapco, and Dato Wan Ibrahim bin wan Ahmed, the Director the National Registration Department, Home Affairs, Malaysia, will take the stage as keynote speakers addressing the audience on "Critical HR Competencies Required to Meet the Challenges of Smart Society and Mykad - The Journey Of Possibilities" respectively.
There will be eighteen speakers deliberating on issues such as Smart Card applications, real life case studies, biometrics, Smart Card security, etc.
The conference will conclude with a panel discussion entitled "Towards a Smart Future: What should be done?" which will be moderated by Jorge Sebastiao, Director of BITS Board and CEO of E-Security Gulf.
The opening ceremony will be held at the Bahrain Conference Centre of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Manama. A pre-conference work-shop on Smart Card and Biometrics will also be held on Sunday January 30.
© Bahrain Tribune 2005
