The European Union (EU) and the Authorities of Jamaica have launched a 9.5 million EUR Digital Transitioning Programme for Jamaica (DIGITAL JAMAICA). That is the primary concrete grant-funded multi-sector initiative to help Jamaica’s digital transformation agenda.
Digital Jamaica can be the primary bilateral EU World Gateway Flagship Programme to be signed within the Caribbean, and is strategically designed to handle Jamaica’s urgent digitalization challenges referring to entry and capability, over the following 4 years. This system will concentrate on constructing the competence of educators and academics in digital abilities, bringing Wi-Fi connectivity to public colleges and youngsters’s houses, and supporting Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in adoption and use of expertise for effectivity beneficial properties.
Helena König, Deputy Secretary Common for Financial & World Affairs, European Exterior Motion Service, who was on the official hand-over of paperwork ceremony, mentioned a serious facet of the initiative might be to convey Wi-Fi connectivity to over 1000 public colleges, together with youngsters’s houses.
“It’s going to contribute in direction of on-going authorities efforts to scale back social vulnerability to the digital divide, significantly amongst college students, together with particular wants college students in unserved and under-served areas.”
König additionally shared that the initiative will help the combination of Jamaica’s nationwide ICT competency framework for academics into the curricula of all publicly funded teacher-training establishments.
“This can construct the digital competency of pre-service, new and in-service academics. This strategic focusing on of the inspiration of training is important for Jamaica to realize its aim of a knowledge-based society and a digitally competent labour drive,” she said.
World Gateway, the EU’s cooperation with accomplice international locations in help of their very own strategic autonomy, mobilises investments through a Group Europe method to drive transformation in digital, local weather, vitality, transport, well being, and training sectors worldwide.
Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, Minister with out Portfolio (Abilities & Digital Transformation) highlighted the transformative worth of the programme.
“This initiative goals not solely to remodel the technological panorama of Jamaica however to empower our residents by enhancing entry to data, selling digital literacy, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
She confused that: “Nations with a digitally literate populace are extra aggressive within the world enviornment, attracting investments, fostering technological developments, and driving financial development. In essence, digital abilities usually are not merely instruments for particular person development; they’re foundational to a nation’s resilience, adaptability, and prosperity in an interconnected world.”
Digital Jamaica might be carried out by the Workplace of the Prime Minister in collaboration with the Ministry of Training and Youth and the Ministry of Trade Funding and Commerce.
The launch occasion was hosted on the Ministry of International Affairs and International Commerce on Tuesday, (October 10), within the presence of a number of high-level authorities officers. Amongst them had been Fayval Williams, Minister of Training and Youth; Alando Terrelonge, State Minister within the Ministry of International Affairs and International Commerce; Sancia Bennett Templer, Everlasting Secretary, representing Senator Aubyn Hill, Minister of Trade, Funding and Commerce. Marianne Van Steen and Ambassadors of the 4 EU Member States having an Embassy in Jamaica: Spain, France, Germany and Belgium had been additionally current.
