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Governments in the region have a critical role to play in providing an appropriate environment for the development and growth of the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector, says Minster of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Michael Stern. "This is particularly important at this time when Governments throughout the Caribbean are increasingly recognising the significant...

The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is working on an Information Communication Technology (ICT) competency standard for teachers, which will provide guidelines to facilitate the effective use of ICT by both teachers and students. UNESCO Advisor for Communication and Information, Mr. Isidro Fernandez Abali, speaking yesterday (Nov. 23) at the opening of the fourth biennial International Conference...

The Government is steadfast in its thrust to develop the local biofuels industry, producing ethanol from local feedstock and boosting exports of this highly valued fuel, under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI). Minister of Energy and Mining, Hon. James Robertson, says that it is toward this end that Jamaica last year accepted an invitation to join the Memorandum of Understanding...

The Department of Local Government is turning to green technology in a major thrust to cut expenditure at the local government level. One of the areas being looked at is the use of solar-powered streetlights, and the Department is already testing one of these lights on Hagley Park Road in Kingston, just outside its offices. The Department began testing the...

Educators, administrators, tertiary students and a host of other players in the education sector will explore a broad range of issues at Eduvision 2009, at the Rose Hall Resort and Spa, Montego Bay St. James, November 23 to 24. Eduvision 2009, the fourth biennial international conference and exposition on technology in education and training, will focus on the use of...

General Manager of Petrojam, Winston Watson, has stated that the refinery is now ready to supply both grades of E10 (a blend of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline) to service stations, islandwide. In an interview Friday (October 30) with JIS News, Mr. Watson disclosed that as of November 1, both E10 87 and E10 90 (Octane) will be rolled out...

The employment forecast for Jamaica shows opportunities in education, health care and social assistance, and professional and business services, including Information Communication Technology (ICT). Hospitality, financial, scientific and technical services, construction, and creative and cultural industries, also show strong prospects. Manager of the Human Development Unit at the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Mr. Steven Kerr, made the revelation as...

For most persons, retirement is a time for relaxation, after years of contributing to the development of the country. However, for some it's a time to learn a new skill or to further their education. In an interview with JIS News, Parish Organiser for the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) in Manchester, Mrs. Estella Dyer-Crawford, says that senior citizens...

A number of communities in St. Elizabeth are benefitting from support from the Alpart bauxite company despite the closure of mining operations in the parish. The company, through its Community Council, is providing more than 300,000 gallons of water per day to residents from its St. Elizabeth wells, while maintaining a number of its social programmes in education, agriculture, sports,...

Two waste-to-energy plants are slated for early construction, which will see the country saving some US$60 million in the fuel importation bill, annually. This was announced today (October 16), by Minister of Energy and Mining, Honourable James Robertson, at a two-day Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum, being held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Montego Bay, St. James. "Jamaica is on...

World Food Day (WFD), observed on October 16 since 1979, is a worldwide event designed by the United Nation's Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) to increase awareness and understanding of year-round action to alleviate hunger. There have been tremendous advances in technology, but the world is still challenged by the scourge of hunger, with an estimated increase of 105 million...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, the Hon Audley Shaw, met Thursday (October 8) with Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) President, Luis Alberto Moreno, in Madrid, where he encouraged increased IDB support to Jamaica, particularly in the areas of agriculture and energy, in addition to policy based loans. His call came in the context of the 98th Meeting of the...