Introduction
The Information Society Institute (ISI), one of the subprogrammes
of the eTampere programme to be implemented between 2001 and 2005,
is a joint effort by the University of Tampere and Tampere
University of Technology. The University of Tampere carries the main
responsibility for the operations of the unit.
The central function of the Institute is to conduct and promote
research on the information society in the two universities in
Tampere. The main responsibility for the research work itself
remains with the research groups working in different departments
and representing different disciplines and fields
of expertise.
A contract concerning the establishment of the Institute was
signed between the University of Tampere and the City of Tampere in
spring 2001. At the same time, a Board of
Directors consisting of eleven members was nominated for the
Institute. Dr. Sami Borg was made Chairman of the Board, and
Research Director Antti
Kasvio is in charge of the operative functions of the
Institute.
The founding of the Institute can be justified by the constantly
strengthening position of new information and communication
technologies in society, economy and culture. The changes and
transitions effected by the powerful presence of new technologies
have been studied in nearly all of the disciplines represented at
the University of Tampere and Tampere University of Technology. The
launch of the eTampere programme and the establishment of the
Information Society Institute as a part of it both aim to better
enable researchers to make use of the real-life test environment
that is constantly in operation in their surroundings. Fresh
initiatives for research into areas that, as the information society
development is still in progress, are only just emerging as central
points of interest will be afforded special
priority.
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