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New format GovTech set to engage delegates

By Tracy Burrows, ITWeb contributor.
Johannesburg, 04 Oct 2016
GovTech Programme and Content Manager, Dr Daniel Mashao.
GovTech Programme and Content Manager, Dr Daniel Mashao.

Along with moving GovTech to Gauteng for the first time this year, the organisers of SITA's flagship event are introducing engaging new conference formats designed to stimulate debate and networking.

GovTech 2016, to be staged at Gallagher Estate from 30 October - 2 November, will focus on the 'T - technology in ICT', with the main theme 'ICT for Development, Access and Growth' and a sub theme of 'How Technology improves Service Delivery for Citizen Empowerment'.

GovTech Programme and Content Manager Dr Daniel Mashao reports that GovTech, now in its 11th year, is breaking with tradition and introducing a far more interactive programme format this year. "The days of 'death by PowerPoint' are over, and international trends are for shorter presentations with more interaction," he says. "In line with this, most of the sessions at GovTech 2016 will include panel discussions, short presentations, and a great deal of delegate participation."

With sessions across four tracks focused on access, growth, development and technology, GovTech will seek to showcase all the highly visible public sector ICT projects, highlighting their progress and learnings. Key presentations will include the SITA Executive briefing, Ministerial briefing, World Economic Forum briefing, Universal Access Panel and a Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services session. Always topical, the National Treasury will also present on the state of and the future of government procurement.

"The new technology track is particularly exciting," says Dr Mashao. "Instead of just looking at the business of government as underpinned by IT, this track will focus on the latest and future technologies that may impact on public service delivery. Developments like virtual currency and disruptive business models like Uber, for example, may hold opportunities for future service delivery."


Another innovation coming to GovTech this year will be speed networking and round table discussions, in which delegates can pre-book ten-minute meetings with key executives throughout the three-day event. "This round table format is proving very popular elsewhere in the world, as it guarantees delegates networking time with people they hope to meet during GovTech," says Dr Mashao.

Highlights of GovTech 2016 also include an ICT Solutions Expo, gala dinner and the 2016 GovTech and Public Service ICT Awards.
To register for GovTech 2016, please go to https://www.govtech.co.za/registration.

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