The Government of Dominica has began works on the refurbishment on a section of the Dominica State College (DSC) to house a Center for Excellence and Innovation for ICT.
The $292,000 project is a collaborative effort between the Government of Dominica and the Republic of India.
The contract was signed at a ceremony at the DSC on Monday.
Minister for Information, Science, Telecommunications and Technology Kelver Darroux said the ceremony captures the significance of the government of Dominica’s policy direction to provide greater access to technology throughout the country and ensure citizens are properly trained and competent in the use and management ICT tools.
According to him, the signing of the contract signifies the beginning of what will be a long lasting and “much admired technological feat in the history of Dominica.”
“Government is therefore convinced that the educational, intellectual and entrepreneurial development of people is most critical for the enhanced socio-economic development of the country,” he said.
He noted further that cyber security has become a major economic threat to all nations and it is even more threatening to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Dominica which is so vulnerable to cyber attacks on the financial, telecommunications and health infrastructure.
Consequently, he stated, that the Centre of Excellence and Innovation will have the following objectives: “To generate ICT knowledge and awareness among citizens of the latest technologies, to generate direct and indirect employment through ICT, to develop and train government officials in ICT, to upgrade the skills of the ICT Faculty in all schools and the DSC…”
He revealed that the Center is expected to deliver the following certified courses including, but not limited to, “developing with Java- basic and advance, software business processes, basic and advanced Linux, project management, communication and networking, web designing and application…”
Darroux explained that the Centre will continue to respond to the changing needs of the sector and will offer appropriate training in subject areas relevant to meet the needs of Dominica and the technological advancement in a constantly changing world of technology.
“This centre will complement the existing IT Programme at the college and provide advanced training to enable our citizens to be ready for new and emerging jobs within the industry,” he explained.
On October 14, 2011 the government of the Republic of India and the Commonwealth of Dominica signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the development of the center and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Science, Telecommunications and Technology, Lucien Blackmoore, said the key considered measures under the MOU was the setting up of an information and community application laboratory.
“The Center of Excellence is well on its way to become a reality and we will see with that the development of a cadre of highly trained ICT practitioners, innovators, developers, producers and young entrepreneurs whose responsibility would be to transform and modernize our society in order to enhance the quality of life for all of us,” he said.
Blackmoore mentioned also that work on the project will be done in the evening to avoid any inconvenience to students.
The project will begin this week and is expected to be completed in April, 2015.
$292 000 to deliver these objectives – for how long?
what about the olympic stadium at stock farm.
Kelvar please technology with no jobs.
Can government provide jobs for the entire Dominican population? Dominica has a Hugh wilderness, Gr-ell you should advise our young people to utilize the land by going into agriculture and farming. Mr. Darroux cannot solve your problem SIR!
How can the utilize the farm fool,have you seen the Carholm road,go back to Monday’s article.Kelvar is a waste.
Grell it is so obvious of your resentments and hatred for Kleve, something is eating you like a cancer.. Please run a program to help the youths in agriculture, land in DA is plenty full.
@ Example , i don’t think anything is eating Grell away , i just think Grell is telling it like it is, and he is not hiding for the truth like most of you all are . Like the lady said “it doesn’t matter” that’s how all you think.
Kelvar Kelvar Kelvar.