This nonreimbursable technical cooperation seeks to improve the competitiveness of Costa Rica's software industry. The three program components are: a) education, to strengthen the labor supply to the industry be redefining curricula, providing appropriate training for education personnel, and designing and adapting modern training techniques; b) quality, to introduce quality management systems and strengthen the domestic market for training, technical assistance, and auditing of quality control systems; andc) providing the Chamber of Information Processing Applications (CAPROSOFT) with the tools to become a leadership institution. The education component funds five main activities: a) a study of the industry's changing human resource needs and the existing and potential supply of professional and technical education; b) a curriculum review to overcome shortcomings detected during the first activity and modernization of school programs (technical schools, para-university, graduate, and post-graduate) by drawing upon examples of best practice; c) development and implementation of a program for training trainers, especially in the area of technical training; d) design and supply of systems for implementing new teaching methods; and e) increasing women's participation in the sector by designing and introducing gender equity promotion programs for female information technology students. The quality component funds three activities: a) a training program for providers of advisory and quality control training services to the software industry; b) a program for the transfer of technology that introduces quality standards in software firms; and c) the fostering of a "quality culture" by creating a Software Process Improvement Network (SPIN) association in Costa Rica, associated with the worldwide SPIN network, to promote quality in software production. The CAPROSOFT component funds five activities: a) development of alliances among the major players in the sector, with equitable representation for firms of all sizes in the forging of a leadership capability; b) formulating a strategic plan to strengthen CAPROSOFT institutionally; c) institutional strengthening of firms in the industry through management training for individual firms; d) a technology publicity and dissemination program; and e) promoting the production of quality software, through process and product certification
Project Detail
Country
Costa Rica
Project Number
TC9811234
Approval Date
June 2, 1999
Project Status
Closed
Project Type
Technical Cooperation
Sector
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Subsector
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Lending Instrument
Multilateral Investment Fund Instrument
Lending Instrument Code
MIF
Modality
-
Facility Type
-
Environmental and Social Impact Category (ESIC)
-
Total Cost
USD 2,500,000.00
Country Counterpart Financing
USD 1,000,000.00
Original Amount Approved
USD 1,500,000.00