ECCB Deputy Governor calls for IT integration
Ministers Condor, Carty echo sentiments
By Melissa Bryant
Reporter~SKNVibes.com
~~Adz:Right~~BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TREVOR BRAITHWAITE, Deputy Governor of the ECCB, challenged Caribbean governments to integrate Information Technology into all activities in the education sector and to ensure that every individual, regardless of age, financial status or political affiliation, has access to computer training.
These remarks were rendered at the official launch of the Federation’s inaugural Information Technology Month at the Sir Cecil Jacobs Auditorium.
In his keynote address, Braithwaite spoke of “the untold opportunities that exist for all age groups within the IT sector”.
“Our citizens must be cognisant of the benefits of training in IT, and the education system must be one which promotes this theory and shows them in a practical way the myriad advantages they can gain from IT development.”
The sentiment was echoed by Wesley Wharton, a Department of Technology employee, who encouraged young people to pursue IT-related careers and to empower themselves by using IT as a learning tool through which they could contribute to economic development by delivering a wide range of information and services.
Taiwan Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Rong-Chuan Wu, acknowledged the more than 20 Kittitian and Nevisian students who are currently studying in Taiwan in areas including science and technology, management and social sciences.
He also appealed for persons to apply for scholarships, stating that the “Embassy doors are always open for IT development”.
The Hon. Nigel Carty, Minister with Responsibility for Information and Technology, and the Hon. Sam Condor, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, both support the notion that IT should become an integral part of people’s everyday lives.
According to Carty, it is the Ministry’s aim to “share their vision of a computer literate society with the public through a strategic plan that enables human resources development and employment generation, legislation that protects consumers and creates a conducive business environment and a public sector/private sector partnership that promotes economic development.”
