FIRST »

The second workshop organized in by the FIRST Project was held today, 6th of December, in the Science and Technology Ministry of Argentina (MinCyT). This project is supported by the European Commission as part of the Seventh Framework Programme(7FP). The main objective of this meeting was creating a Steering Council and the different Working Groups of the Argentinean Technology Platform, which was given the name of PLATA.

PLATA is a network that connects the different stakeholders of Argentinean ICT sector in order to boost international cooperation in R&D&i activities. In Argentina, there are already organizations that took part of initiatives of this kind: Pragma, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Universidad Isalud and more. PLATA aims to increase the number of associations between national Universities, Research Centers, Companies and other kind of organizations involved in R&D&i activities able to received funds and experience of European level.

Over 40 representatives from public, academic and private sector attended the meeting: CESSI, CEIL, FAN, MRECIC, CONAE, Innova-RED, Distrito Tecnológico Ciudad de Buenos Aires, UIA, Gobierno Ciudad de Buenos Aires, ITS Argentina, ILCE, INTI, G&L, LIFIA, U. Nacional de La Plata, CNEA, U Tecnológica Nacional, Universidad de Palermo, Grupo Emprender, Open Solutions, Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero, Physis Informática, ADD SA, U. Nacional de La Matanza, Cuencas del Sur, SIU, AA2000, AADS, Levin Software, Universidad Nacional del Luján, ORT, and more.

These entities are focused on different R&D&I topics embraced by Future Internet, and that’s why the creation of the different Working Groups was a key moment in the meeting. Three main categories were defined in order to advance towards the creation of the working groups: 1) Networks, Contents and Services; 2) ICT Components and 3) Integrated and Embedded Systems. These groups include different areas of Future Internet, such as Software and Systems, Photonics, Nanoelectronics, Embedded Software, Smart Systems Integrated, Network Electronic Media, Mobility and Satellite Technologies.

Rosa Wachenchauzer, FONSOFT coordinator and ICT National Contact Point – Liason Office ARG-UE – MINCYT International Relations Department- welcomed on behalf of MINCYT and expressed interest in developing a Future Internet Technology Platform in Argentina.

ICT is a transverse sector and in the conformation of the different working groups, it is essential to consider the need of collaborative networks based on large areas more than in many small niche groups, said Javier Orozco, researcher of the Universidad Nacional del Sur. Although these areas are neither homogeneous nor static groups it is necessary classifying them in order to set clear objectives.

Jose María Louzao, president of G&L Group and vicepresident of CESSI shared his experience with the European Technology Platforms, especially with the ones in the País Vasco, Spain: The key for the success of the Spanish Platforms is that their R&D&i objectives are clearly defined. First they focus on finding local problems, and then designing the projects that helps the country development.

The president of the National Nanotechnology Foundation (FAN), Daniel Luppi, said that the platform might be thought in two different ways: One is understand it as a network that connects the different academic and private actors. But, it also can be understood as an engine that creates qualified work and other social benefits for the country.

Gabriel Baum, researcher of the LIFIA (Universidad Nacional de la Plata) and international consultant for the regional strategy of the FIRST project shared his vision and experience to the group and the conformation of the PLATA.

By the end of the meeting, Norberto Szerman, of Physis Informática Company, proposed to baptize the platform as PLATA. PLATA is the acronym of Plataforma Tecnológica Argentina (Argentinean Technology Platform in spanish).

Silvia Bidart, Regional Coordinator of FIRST project and coordinator of the meeting, was very happy with the results and the group was successfully conformed.
Press Contact for FIRST Project: Lic. Luz Ledesma Clavell , (rrpp@aleti.org)
General Coordination of the FIRST Project: Julián Seseña, President of Rose Vision; Tony Velin (tvelin@rose.es ).