ADOC Project

BRIEF OVERVIEW:

 

The APEC Digital Opportunity Centre (ADOC 2.0) Project was introduced with the main objective “to bridge the digital divide between computer literacy and computer illiteracy in Papua New Guinea”.  The project is intended to contribute to the improved skills and knowledge based training and expands people’s understanding on basic to advance computing that would support the ICT sector.  The ADOC 2.0 project is targeting everyone from all levels of computing backgrounds (beginner, intermediate, advanced and skilled levels) and classes (high, medium and low class citizens).  The current provisions of trainings to enhance the citizens of this nation acquire adequate knowledge in computing are very costly.  Consequently, this project tries to create avenues for those who can’t afford these dear fees to be given the opportunity to enhance themselves with the necessary skills that are required for today’s generation.  The trainings and courses are designed in a way suitable for all levels of expertise.  Professionals from various fields within the ICT sector have also been invited to provide voluntary assistance in the project, delivering content rich, up-to-date trainings, user friendly programs that outputs positive outcomes at the end that suits well into the industry.

BRIEF HISTORY:

The ADOC Project was established in Papua New Guinea earlier in 2006 at the University of Technology in Lae, Morobe Province (UniTech ADOC Centre).  Since its establishment the ADOC Project had trained more than 5000 participants in various sectors.  Due to the increased demand of modern technology usages in the Information Communication Technology sector, the ADOC Secretariat had extended its support to establish its second center in PNG.  This has resulted in the establishment of the UPNG ADOC Centre.The UPNG ADOC Center was established on the 1^st of July 2011 here at the University of Papua New Guinea.  The ribbon cutting was done by the Information Secretary during that time, Henao Iduhu, UPNG Vice Chancellor during that time, Professor Ross Hynes, Taiwan Trade Mission representative in PNG Daniel Chun Pu Hu and the project manager, during that time Ricky Feng.

Known as the ADOC 2.0, it is the second phase launched in July 1 of 2011 with the mission to see every person of all backgrounds acquire basic knowledge in computing that could contribute to shaping our nation.  Similar to the use of mobile phones few years ago where only the rich and those who live in the cities own them, this project aims to meet similar trend.  With the implementation of the ADOC project, there is a vision that in few years time people in the village would start owning computers and use computers to do business or communicate with just like the way mobile phones were introduced few years ago.

The need to train every individual is a driving factor that will push the extent of this project throughout the vast majority of our people in the middle and low class range who were the ones having problems understanding basic computer skills and knowledge. 

We have a database of every participant attending the training, especially their names and contact details for course improvement purposes and for further consultations and feedback that could benefit the participant and the Center.

BENEFICIARIES OF THE PROGRAM:

 

Since the project began, various groups of men, women and children attended the trainings conducted at the ADOC Center and have benefited a lot from it.  The different groups include; University Staff and Students, Women's groups, Men's groups, Children's groups, Youth groups, Religious groups and Professional group.
The participants who attended various ICT training at the ADOC Center have benefited in one way or the other by way of seeking employment, going to school, some have started their own business while others return to assist in training their peers at the Center.

Provided below are few shots of the different target groups who participated and benefited from the project.

  

UNIVERSITY STAFF MEMBERS: Members of the UPNG's Michael Somare Library attended a training conducted by the ICS Strand in October of 2011.

Children's Group: One of the group of school children who participated in the Children's category training to acquire Basics in Computing.

Men's Group: This group of elders were few of many who participated under the Men's group category of the Digitization Program doing the Basics in Computing training.

University Students:  Not only did the ADOC Project reached out to the community, it also had a lot of impact to the students of the University of Papua New Guinea who directly benefited from the project.

Women's Group:  One of the goal of the government of PNG is gender balance.  Various women's group have participated in the training and this group (pictured) were the pioneers who attended the Digitization Program.

Professional Groups:  The ADOC Project also had connections with professional groups like this Graphic Designers who participated in the 3D Modelling/ Rendering training conducted by Beboyd Animations studios from Thailand, with support from the Arts & Design division.

Religious Group:  Several Religious groups participated in the Digitization Program and this is one of the many religious groups who benefited from this program. 

Youth Groups:  The ADOC Project had initially scheduled various programs to empower youths within the city.  More number of youths participated in the program and some of those youths are now assisting in training their peers at the UPNG ADOC Center.

 The above pictures are just a few of the many groups who benefited from this collaborative program, an initiative from the Taiwan Trade Mission here in Port Moresby and facilitated by the University of Papua New Guinea; a project initiated by coordinator, Philemon Yalamu.

So far, more than 50% of those who attended have gone into doing something positive such as getting employed, starting up a business, becoming a trainer at the ADOC Center.  This is a positive story for the facilitating Institution - The University of Papua New Guinea.

There are plans to invite the People Living With Disability (PLWDs) however due to the location of the venue, we are looking at alternatives to reach out to them.

TESTIMONIES:

For testimonies of this project, please visit the Testimonies page.