Antigua & Barbuda’s Prime Minister declares September as Technology Month in Antigua & Barbuda
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Antigua and Barbuda is continuing to make significant strides in the development of the Information Communications Technology Sector. With the rapid expansion of the use of computerized and wireless technologies in the twin-island nation, Prime Minister, Hon. Baldwin Spencer has declared September as TECHNOLOGY MONTH.
“The technology revolution that is currently underway in Antigua & Barbuda is a manifestation of my Government’s promise to make substantial investments in equipping our young people with the skills and competence necessary for them to successfully meet the challenges of the 21st century”, Prime Minister Spencer said shortly after signing the declaration.
Prime Minister Spencer says that Antigua & Barbuda is exploiting the virtues of ICTs to spur economic, social and cultural development so that persons from all walks of life can benefit in a positive manner.
Minister of State with responsibility for Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Hon. Dr. Edmond Mansoor, says that the declaration of September as Technology Month is strongly indicative of Antigua and Barbuda’s leading position in the CARICOM region both in the deployment and the utilization of cutting-edge computerized technology.
According to Minister Mansoor, Technology Month will be marked by several programmes and activities which will contribute to strengthening the twin-island nation’s position in order to take full advantage of the explosion in wireless and other technologies.
“ICTFEST 2007 on September 19 and 20 is the premier technology showcase in the OECS Region. We are expanding around this premier technology showcase to leverage on our Country’s competitive advantage in ICTs” Minister Mansoor declared.
The activities marking Technology Month will include the launch of the e-Learning Advantage Programme on Monday, September 10, 2007. Under this component of the Community Technology Programme, four thousand (4000) on-line courses in different subject areas will be made available to one thousand (1000) people.
In addition, a seminar on the “Economics of Telecommunications” will be held in Antigua from September 10-13. Some fifty delegates from across the Caribbean Region will gather at the Jolly Beach Resort to examine the impact that the telecommunications sector has on Caribbean economies.
On September 17, the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organisations (CANTO) will host a two day workshop in Antigua focusing on changes and transformation in management approaches in the telecommunications sector.
Other activities during Technology Month will include the announcement of the winner of the Digicel/Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications Annual IT Scholarship, the opening of additional Community Computer Access Centres (including one at the Holy Trinity School in Barbuda) and an ICT interactive roundtable forum.
