Theophilus E. Mlaki

Theophilus E. Mlaki holds a Masters degree in Library and Information Science from Loughborough University in UK. Until his recent retirement, Theo worked for 20 years as a Director of Information at the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH). He dealt mainly with the development of scientific information systems and the promotion and popularisation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as tools for knowledge and information accessibility. He represented his country and COSTECH in international arena including organisations such as UNESCO, International Telecommunication Union, CABI International, IDRC of Canada, Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and Economic Commission of Africa. Currently Theo works as: a consultant in projects and programmes geared towards the utilisation of ICT for development especially rural development; a senior advisor in Tanzania for Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) of Canada; a national coordinator of Swedish Program for ICT for Developing Countries (SPIDER); and chairman of the Board of the Dar es Salaam ICT Incubator supported by the World Bank under the InfoDev Programme.