History was made when over sixty youth launched software applications for mobile phones delivering local content for government services, community news and agriculture alerts, as part of the first-ever Mobile Apps Development workshop in Roseau, Dominica.
The National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) sponsored the one week event, facilitated by the international non-profit organization BrightPath Foundation, and hosted and supported by the Dominica State College.
Local organizer for the week-long event and Executive Director of the NTRC, Craig Nesty, said the workshop exceed his expectations.
“This was a truly inspirational and rewarding experience for everyone. The resounding success of this initiative presents a world of opportunities for youth in Dominica and, I believe, throughout the Caribbean,” he noted.
The NTRC, which is responsible for the regulation and development of the telecommunications market in Dominica, views the development of local applications for local mobile users as vital to the development of the local telecommunications sector.
“The expert presenters from BrightPath Foundation and the team at the Dominica State College had laid a solid platform for us to build on. We are already in talks with both organizations to continue this program and to extend its reach,” Nesty stated.
Workshop attendees got to interact with industry practitioners and real-world innovators. The BrightPath approach surprisingly deemphasized the technical aspects of mobile app creation and instead placed heavy emphasis on social responsibility, collaboration and life lessons. Their unique approach connected well with participants.
One attendee, Hallie Bruney, a student at the Portsmouth Secondary School described the experience as life changing.
“I never really saw myself as a software developer. But now I know that I definitely contributed to creating local content and building the local mobile ecosystem,” she remarked. “I only just learnt those terms, but I understand what they mean to me!”
Participants, most of whom had little or no development experience, formed mock companies, pitched their app ideas, and then broke into small groups comprised of content teams, developers and designers to develop their apps.
Veronne Nicholas, a lecturer at the Dominica State College, was appointed CEO of one of the mock companies, DTrips. Nicholas’ team came up with a mobile pitch to create an app that would capture news and events from around the island.
“I was very impressed with the emphasis that was placed on the value of local content, and the importance of team work to create solutions with local and global appeal. The enthusiasm, and engagement of the participants were sustained from start to finish. We definitely need more programs like this in Dominica,” Nicholas shared.
Bevil Wooding, the founder and Executive Director of BrightPath Foundation, was responsible for the program design. His organization has run similar programs across the Caribbean but he described the Dominica workshop as particularly special.
“I was very impressed with the high levels of collaboration on display throughout this event. In particular, I was particularly pleased to see the determination and perseverance of the young men and women to complete the challenge to produce local apps in such a short time frame,” Wooding said.
Wooding explained that BrightPath uses the appeal of mobile apps to draw out the talent and creativity of people. He shared that the BrightPath programs blend technical learning with essential values and life skills. Participants developed three mobile apps from initial concept to software coding and launch. The mobile apps, Crop Circles, Ask Me and DTrips, were designed to address specific local needs. The apps were launched at the end of the workshop and will be made freely available on Android devices via the Google Play store.
The NTRC has committed to follow up on the success of the BrightPath Mobile App Development Workshop by providing support for the participants to continue building their app ideas.
DNO there is a typo. The name of the last app is called DBuzz, not DTrips. DTrips was the name of one of the companies that made DBuzz
Hey.. That’s me!! lol
Love to read news like this. Kudos to the organizers and participants. I’ll be definitely looking out for these apps. We have so much talent in Dominica, we just need the avenues and opportunities to exploit and develop it.
lol…amateurs
Yay Veronne!!
This is very heartening to read. As one who is passionate about technology, one can only wish the particiapnts more success as they broaden their knowledge on all things digital.
The scope for user participation in the internet revolution since the introduction of web 2.0 has made it possible for anyone with the right skills to contribute, in either a professional way, as a developer, or as a layman, in blogs, podcasts etc to the continually eveloving sphere which is the internet.
The fact too, that they were able to leave the workshop with finished apps and a taste of what real-life collaboration is like, no doubt will inspire them to fullfill their fullest potential.
Hat off to The National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission and BrightPath Foundation.
I look forward to downloading the apps from Google play.https://play.google.com/store/apps?hl=en_GB
Albert Williams Cert IT and Comp(Open)
Way to go guys. Tremendous news.
As an educator, this makes me very happy. I ve always subscribed to the view that our students need to be encouraged to be producers of technology and not only consumers. It s quite possible if they have the enabling environment. Hats off to the organizers. on that note, this could be push that young people need to curb the unemployment rate.
I agree with your comments 100%. We currently have a culture of being consumers of technology. Everyone using the buzz word ‘ICT’; however we need to producers of technology. This is a step in the right direction
Way to go! This is exciting information on digical innovation that should really form part of the country’s development strategy. I trust it will receive the support needed. Great work – NTRC, Brightpath foundation and DSC.
That is super news! I mean this is landscape changing vibes. Good luck guys and I look forward to checking out these apps!
thats great i applaud the NTRC Brightpath foundation and DSC
Great news