BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - On Wednesday morning Jan. 24th an historical workshop on Mobile Application Development opened at the Marriott Resort. It was historical because it was the first of its kind; it represented the cutting edge of technology development and it was all-embracing.
It was all-embracing in that it sought to empower the youth and convince them that they had the ability to step on to the global stage and participate in the fastest growing market in technology.
In addition, the youth were invited to think beyond the production of an “app” but also to envisage how they could change things and use the information as a means of ‘securing the future’ in the drive for National Development.
The facilitators and speakers at the Opening Ceremony tried to persuade them to go beyond being mere consumers of the technology world but they should also strive to become producers of technology products.
“What kind of society are we seeking to produce and what kind of processes and systems will facilitate it?” asked Mr. Bevil Wooding, Executive Director of BrightPath Foundation that is providing the facilitators at the Workshop.
In painting a picture of the Mobile Ecosystem, he beseeched the participants to become part of the ‘developer, innovator, creator paradigm’ and to write software ‘that will change the way we do things’. “Mobile Apps can change the mobile environment”, he informed.
The Opening Ceremony was attended by not one but two Government ministers. Hon. Nigel Carty, Minister of Education and Information also spoke on behalf of the Prime Minister.
He highly commended BrightPath Foundation, the facilitators, on their role and involvement in ICT in the region and concluded by saying “Let us put knowledge into action and work for a brighter future.”
Hon. Glen Phillip, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports, Information Technology, Technology and Posts, gave the feature address on ‘Technology as a Driver for National Development. He also commended BrightPath Foundation, stating that we were ‘in the best hands’. He bade them welcome and encouraged all to embrace the opportunity.
The BrightPath Foundation is a non-profit organization established to help individuals and communities use technology to create applications, content and services that address indigenous needs. (http://www.brightpathfoundation.org/ )
In his talk on Technology and Values, Mr. Bevil Wooding of BrightPath spoke of the potential – yet unfulfilled - indigenous needs of this country and of the imperative of St. Kitts to sustain development of local content. “We want to see our communities empowered... and that is the power of technology”, he said. “An App can be created for just about anything,” he emphasized.
During the workshop, the participants will also have the benefit of assistance from local Mentors drawn from those versed in technology in both the private and public sectors. Personnel from private sector companies like eCaribbean, IT Facility, Caribbean Credit Card Corp, SKNVibes, Social Security Board, K. Blackman & Associates and ZIZ Broadcasting were available to assist the participants as they carried out Team Exercises prior to the development of a local App.
Sponsorship of the workshop came from Digicel, who further promised to donate 11 android handsets to participants showing interest and skill throughout the workshop.
SKNVibes was also named as a sponsor, who, in addition provided a Mentor in the person of Stachio Williams, Chief Technical and Financial officer.
Over the next three days, participants will be broadening their knowledge of Mobile Apps, their global appeal, their marketplace and above all how to build their first mobile application.
Apart from Mr. Bevil Wooding, three other BrightPath facilitators, Mr, Mark Headley, Mr. Stephen Lee and Mr. Khyron Danclair will be assisting in conducting the workshop which ends on Friday 27th January.
