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Ex-post Evaluation

Asia

1. Outline of the Project

Country:

China

Project title:

National Science Committee:Computer Software Technology Training Center

Issue/Sector:

Information/Publicity

Cooperation Scheme:

Project-Type Technical Cooperation

Division in Charge:

Industry and Mining Development

Total Cost:

Period of Cooperation

November 1993 - November 1998

Partner Country’s Implementing Organization:

Ministry of Science and Technology
Institute of Science and Technology Information of China

Supporting Organization in Japan:

Related Cooperation:

1-1 Background of the Project

After 1978, the Chinese government raised China’s modernization as its priority issue, and made computer technology development an important strategy in its 8th Five-Year Plan (1991-1995). The Chinese government planned to establish the Computer Software Technology Training Center (CSTTC) under the National Science Committee to train computer software experts, and submitted a request to the government of Japan for Project-type Technical Cooperation in November 1991.

1-2 Project Overview

To help China develop its computer software technology, Japan provided technical cooperation to support the development of computer software management, preparation of training materials, development of training courses, training of instructors and implementation of foundation courses, using CSTTC as the implementing organization.

(1) Overall Goal
Computer software management engineers in China are trained.

(2) Project Purpose
High quality computer software technology training which meets the needs of the market, is implemented at the Computer Software Technology Training Center.

(3) Outputs
1) Training of the teachers of system engineers and administrators.
2) Development of a course curriculum.
3) Improvement of facilities and equipment.
4) Preparation of textbooks and manuals.

(4) Inputs

Japanese Side:

Long-Term Experts

10

Equipment

410 Million yen

Short-Term Experts

26

Local Cost

 

Trainees Received

16

Chinese Side:

Counterparts

21

Land and Facilities

 

Local Cost

15.38 Million RMB (about 233 Million yen)

2. Evaluation Team

Members of Evaluation Team

Guo Hongyan, Beijing JP Riohua Environ Tech Co., Ltd.

Period of Evaluation

December 23, 2002- December 30, 2002

Type of Evaluation:

Ex-Post Evaluation by overseas Office

3. Results of Evaluation

3-1 Summary of Evaluation Results

(1) Impact
The implementation of training courses which meet the market needs has led to the preparation of a high-quality computer system plan and the training of management experts, and market demands are gradually being met. This is indicated by the fact that the information technology (IT) industry is rapidly expanding and the demand for computer specialists and software technicians is rising sharply, particularly in the Beijing area. CSTTC is one of the first computer software training institutions in China and has gained a positive reputation, which has helped to increase the number of training applicants.

(2) Sustainability
In order to better serve its function as a software training provider and to better accommodate the market demands, in June 1999 after the Project completion, CSTTC separated from the Institute of Scientific and Technical Information China (ISTIC) and merged with Wan Fang Data Co., Ltd., 70% shares of which are held by ISTIC. CSTTC has also been collaborating with Beijing Ruitong (a software training company), to provide basic software application training mainly in multimedia applications, and certification training programs for high-end IT professionals, and significant results have been achieved. CSTTC provided around 11-12 different types of training for nearly 10,000 trainees during the period from 1999 to 2001. In July 2002, due to the end of collaboration with Beijing Ruitong, CSTTC was reintegrated into ISTIC to establish a new training division to carry out interior and external training and training businesses through cooperation with the college graduates training center.

Regarding the system of training implementation, fifteen staff members who worked at CSTTC at the end of the Project have now been reduced to four. The main reason for this is retirement, and it has not influenced the implementation of the training. However, software technology progresses so rapidly and continuously that when CSTTC trains its own teachers of system development and to provide training, it is not possible to respond quickly to the market needs. For this reason, CSTTC invites external teachers from universities and companies. The database of external teachers is being compiled. To cope with the lack of sufficient internal trainers, CSTTC hires instructors with practical experiences from Beihang University, Tsinghua University, Peking University, and the Lotus Software Company.

The materials and manuals are also difficult to prepare within CSTTC. Therefore, training courses use commercially-available materials which are not always easy to get a hold of, but have solid content, or materials which are prepared by the teacher.

In a fast-evolving industry such as that of computer technology, the above corporate structure can not only respond quickly to changing technology, but also is economical in terms of management of CSTTC. Thus, effect of the Project is being sustained, as it is able to respond to changes in external conditions.

In terms of finance, support for CSTTC by ISTIC are being continued. Specifically, because the equipment provided during the technical support project has become obsolete, new computers were provided by ISTIC during the period of 1999 to 2000. Training was being provided in offices and classrooms at ISTIC even when CSTTC was operating under another organization. As mentioned above, CSTTC reintegrated into ISTIC in June 2002, and it is about to begin improving its training facilities, based on a new activity plan.

3-2 Factors that Promoted the Realization of Effects

(1) Factors Concerning the Planning
In the 10th Five-Year Plan, the Chinese government again gave top priority to the promotion of the IT industry and the computerization of economic data. It also addressed the need for knowledgeable, experienced computer technology experts. Therefore, computer software training is constantly expanding.

(2) Factors Concerning the Implementation Process
The growing number of software training facilities has increased competition and forced various training institutions to improve their internal management mechanisms. This has led to cost reduction caused by lower training fees, and to strengthened competitiveness.

3-3 Factors that Impeded the Realization of Effects

(1) Factors Concerning the Planning
N/A

(2) Factors Concerning the Implementation Process
1) Due to the rapid advancement and development of the computer industry, CSTIC is faced with the need to upgrade its equipment. This is becoming a financial burden on the operations of CSTTC.
2) The rapid development of computer technologies has made it difficult for teachers at CSTTC to receive internal training.

3-4 Conclusion

Since the end of the technical support project, CSTTC has revised curriculum to meet market demands, has established new training courses and has started to focus on providing training for high-end system administrators. Moreover, in training on software application, the lectures have been focusing on rapidly developing multimedia- and internet-related applications. Regarding the organization, inviting external teachers has helped in reducing cost and adapting quickly to newly developed technology.

Thus, CSTTC is further expanding the effects of the Project by responding to market demands and technological advancement.

3-5 Recommendations

Since the training plan was drawn up while CSTTC was an administrative unit under ISTIC, it strongly reflected the intensions of the higher ranking agencies, and therefore many of the items did not meet the actual needs of the market during the Project. For further development of CSTTC, the business operations of CSTTC need to become more prompt in responding to market trends. Accordingly, the database of external teachers should be improved and enhanced; securing of teachers is necessary; and relationships with related universities and training organizations should be strengthened.

3-6 Lessons Learned

(1) For technical support project in an area, such as computer technology, which develops at a high speed, the equipment should be delivered in stages to avoid wastefulness caused by quick obsolescence.

(2) The project should provide equipment manufactured in the local area in which the project is implemented. Local products have the advantages of easy use, easy maintenance, and having no language barriers. Furthermore, local products are often less expensive than imported products.

(3) Formation of techniques and capacity for business operations should be strengthened through the implementation of the project, since it is important to generate funds to cover management cost in order to sustain the effect of the project in the future.

3-7 Follow-up Situation

N/A

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