Dr. Baugh Welcomes New ICT Training Centre

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr. Kenneth Baugh, has said that an Information Communication Technology (ICT) Training Centre, created at the Excelsior Community College, Kingston, should produce a cadre of persons capable of transferring their skills to others within their communities.

“This initiative is important, as it represents progress, consistent with the development of Jamaica’s information and communication technology sector plan, as well as vision 2030, Jamaica’s national development plan,” Dr. Baugh said.

The Minister was speaking at the official opening of the centre on the Excelsior Community College campus, Mountain View Avenue, today (Feb.10).

“We recognize the importance of the development of information technology, its contribution to the economy, as well as its impact on the community and country as a whole,” Dr. Baugh said.

He also expressed his appreciation to the Government of India for the role they played in the establishment of the centre.

“India is an important player in the global information technology industry, and we appreciate their help in lending expertise and technical cooperation as we also strive to achieve similar technology-driven growth here in Jamaica,” he remarked.

Dr. Baugh also encouraged the teachers to view the training centre as an investment in the future, which is invaluable in monetary terms and its potential to provide the youth with opportunities which were otherwise unavailable.

The High Commissioner of India, His Excellency Mohinder Grover, pointed out that information technology is a catalyst and not an end in itself.

“It is a catalyst, an engine of growth in diverse sectors, and I can visualise that this sector is going to be a prime mover,” Mr Grover said.

He also explained that the information technology centre will “lay the seeds” for future growth, which will “flourish and blossom and enrich lives of many people.”

The Centre seeks to build local ICT capacity, targeting high level learners to be trained as trainers, as well as at risk and unattached youth.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Government of India and Jamaica on September 3, 2008, to set up the centre in Jamaica. The MoU, which falls under the Indian Technical Co-operation Programme, includes a US$1million grant to the Government of Jamaica.

The training laboratory, which is equipped with two classrooms for 25 students each, will be provided with courseware to cover 400-600 students per year. In addition, trainers from India will conduct the classes. The Heart Trust/NTA will act as the implementing agency.