CHARLESTOWN (September 14, 2016) “Now we must prepare a new generation to understand not just computers, but how to program, build and network them” says Global Chief Information Officer (CIO), Mr. Larry Quinlan BSC. MBA. The statement was made during the Annual Prime Minister’s Independence Lecture Series under the theme “Promoting Prosperity through Sustainability and National Unity. The event was hosted at Nevis Performing Arts Centre (NEPAC) at Pinneys’ Industrial Site, on September12, 2016.
In his discussion of the theme, Mr. Quinlan focused on the role of technology in promoting prosperity through sustainability and national unity. He sought to promote partnership between educational institutions and businesses in the hope of preparing the next generation for a technology enabled life, “The business world is constantly looking for key technology skills in the next generation leaders and often there is a skills gap between what our students are prepared to contribute to the workplace and what it actually needs” he said.
In light of this, Quinlan put forward some recommendations that may be used as a possible framework to steer the country to the way forward to Computer Science or Technology as a field of study, “There is data driven evidence that Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education supports economic growth and builds critical skills gap”. In light of this, he therefore advocates that the nation “Invest in STEM Education”.
In his speech, Quinlan outlined technological trends that can be tapped to improve world economies and the quality of life.
He sees the Social Media Platform combined with ubiquitous connectivity as touching all facets of society’s existence, “I am constantly amazed by the power of technology. My ability, for example, to make a car rental or hotel reservation in St. Kitts and Nevis from my phone while sitting in a plane 35000 feet above the Pacific Ocean.”
He continued that this trend has also significantly impacted digital government and banking institutions.
Quinlan describes cloud computing as a phenomenon “that is here to stay”. He sees this trend as, “Allowing us to reduce the investment in computer infrastructure, to take advantage of world wide networks to make our goods and services far more visible throughout the world with a speed that was previously unimaginable”.
In his continued discussion of technological trends, the expansion of mobile structure came to the forefront. He looked at the efficiency of the Nation in its adoption of technology but warned of threats to “unfettered computer” as indicated in the 2016 Cyber Security Report that the Caribbean Region is highly vulnerable to Cyber Attacks.
Quinlan, nonetheless sought to encourage investments in Technology in spite of ongoing associated challenges.
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