University of Sindh unveils Sindhi language SMS and Multilingual online dictionary

While it is true that Lahore is the coolest city on the planet, this post proves that good work is happening elsewhere as well The University of Sindh at Hyderabad recently unveiled a number of interesting projects developed by its faculty and students. The projects were showcased at an exhibition inaugurated by Dr. Rabia Sheikh, the Pro Vice Chancellor of the University. Three of our favourites were:

1) A multilingual software dictionary that includes English, Urdu and Sindhi translations; this is a good addition to online tools that are relevant for millions of Pakistanis. We need more of them. We talked about street maps in a recent post, well, we need them all. Multilingual email, better Pakistan-centric VoIP services, multinlingual dictionaries… bring ‘em on!!

2) Sindhi language SMS applications for mobile phones; this one is particularly important now that the mobile phone penetration has reached over 55 million users in Pakistan. Local language support will greatly enhance the usability and usefulness of technology.

3) Digital display boards with embedded GSM/GPRS control modules; this again shows how inexpensive technology can be used to solve what were previously pretty substantial problems. You can plop one of these billboards anywhere in the city and remotely manage the content it displays… without laying any physical wires or bothering to connect the system up to a copper phone line.

The event got some good press pickup. Read on to see some of the coverage…

HiPakistan reports:

Software projects exhibition at Sindh University in Pakistan

Thursday, 24 January 2008

The final year students of the Institute of Information Technology (IIT), University of Sindh, have developed different software projects, including a multi language online dictionary, which was displayed in an exhibition. The Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Sindh, Prof Dr. Rafia Ahmed Shaikh, inaugurated the exhibition.

Business Recorder says:

IN SHORT: multi-lingual online dictionary software

HYDERABAD (January 28, 2008): The Final year students of the Institute of Information Technology (IIT) University of Sindh (SU) have developed different software projects including multi-language Online Dictionary, which was displayed in the exhibition on Wednesday at IIT Multimedia Centre, Jamshoro Campus.