2014 Digital Exhibition Participants

Information Communication Technology (ICT) has become a pressing factor in today's business everywhere across the globe.  There are still many people dragging behind in terms of their contribution to development as a result of barriers in technology.  A lot of people nowadays are caught up with the habit of "using the latest" of everything from both hardware and software applications.  Though most people in Papua New Guinea are trying their best to cope with the rapid technological changes and the demands that come with it, still majority of these people lack proper knowledge of appropriately using them.  Barriers in such can be bridged if we provide digital opportunities for all the digitally disadvantaged men, women and children so they learn how to effectively access and use various ICT services and in return would enable them to contribute to the developments.  

For this post I will share some of my many contributions in the domain of ICT in bridging the digital divide in Papua New Guinea.  
Members of communities living in Port Moresby had turned up in numbers to attend various Free computer training conducted by volunteer academics and university students at the UPNG ADOC Center (located within the University of Papua New Guinea).  The project is aimed at bridging the digital divide and provide possible digital opportunities as alternatives for those that are digitally disadvantaged.

As a requirement for the Center, every year it hosts events to showcase to the public various activities and training that benefited participants.  During these events, participants share their experiences with the public through the media interviews and encourage those that are less fortunate to look at other alternatives to find hope instead of resolving to negative solutions.  For the year 2014, the Center proposed to host different kind of event that is expected to be massive.  We have registered almost 90 participants in different categories to undergo basic to specialized training prior to an exhibition scheduled for late November or early December 2014.

Part of the UPNG ADOC 2014 - Digital Exhibition Students

This exhibition would be a collaborative effort with inputs from different strands & departments within the University of Papua New Guinea.  The areas to be covered in this event include Graphic design, Digital Music, Information Technology, Typing and PC Maintenance.

The exhibition, known as the "Digital Exhibition" intends to promote a various objectives which include;

- Engaging divisions within the facilitating institution to collaboratively participate in disseminating vital ICT knowledge as part of their community outreach.

- Provide an avenue for university students to share some of their acquired knowledge and gain confidence in delivering content (especially those intending teachers)

- Giving basic specialized skills/ knowledge to those digitally disadvantaged men, women and children

- Provide opportunities for the digitally disadvantaged people to secure employment through their showcasing of various computing skills during the digital exhibition

- Contribute to the government's various visions such as;
* Human Capital Development, Gender, Youth and people Empowerment
* Institutional Development and Service Delivery
* Spiritual, Cultural and Community Development

To work toward the exhibition, the Center organised training schedules for all participating members.  

From February to June, I sent out notices through media (Facebook) and my mobile phone to contacts in my network letting people know of the proposed training and project.  People started flooding in to register for the program. Due to limited number of volunteers to train members, I had to limit the applicants.  I registered only 96 however, 86 made it through.

Again using my contacts, I had to invite member staff withing the University to participate in this project.  A formal invitation letter was sent to various staff members within the different areas proposed for the exhibition.  A meeting was then called on Friday the 27th of June 2014 and volunteer staff members came where we discussed about this event.  Everyone thought the idea was great so the first class began on Saturday the 12th of July 2014.

Each of the proposed specialized training had their first turn and so far participating members have expressed a lot of positive comments and satisfaction.