ICT Open Week kicks off today

By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE general public has been invited to learn more about Information Technology (IT) during the first-ever Open Week at the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Centre, located at the C. A. Paul Southwell Industrial Site.

The five-day event begins today (Nov. 24) and will be open 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. for the duration of the event. Various technological goods and services offered by local vendors are expected to be displayed. Also featured would be the latest electronic devices from Taiwan along with high-end offers from several lap top providers.  The ICT Centre will also take the opportunity to provide information on training opportunities for 2009 in various computer software programmes.

During the open week, telecommunications company LIME is expected to preview its NetSpeak Internet phone service and The Cable will display its various products and services to the general public with the aim of educating the public on enhancing communication through Information Technology.    

According to Pierre Bowin, IT Administrator at the ICT Centre, the open week is one of the major highlights of Information Technology Month and serves to heighten the awareness of Information Technology by granting the public an opportunity to view various goods and services in that area.  ~~Adz:Right~~

“Many persons have seen the building and they may know a bit about Information Technology, but this provides the chance for them to fully see and understand our facility. We want them to get the chance to interact with the material and learn more about the latest electronic gadgets that are available.

“The government hopes for the Information Technology sector to grow, and challenges the general public to get onboard with the new wave of technology. This is one definite way of ensuring that everyone is empowered as they may be able, through Information Technology education, to have greater access to information,” Bowin stated.

He also expressed his hope for more people to know that the centre exists and become more aware of the many avenues for Information Technology training offered there.

Bowin acknowledged that the Centre still has a lot of work to do in relation to increasing awareness of the general public, but he encouraged everyone to visit the facility as he expects the event to be of a  very high quality and projected that next year’s event would be bigger and better.