News Releases

UWI and the Netherlands Antilles discuss ICT Policy

For Release Upon Receipt - May 26, 2008

St. Augustine


On Monday 5th May, 2008 The University of the West Indies (UWI) was visited by the Minister of Transport and Communications of the Netherlands Antilles, Minister Maurice Adriaens. This visit drew on the Trinidad and Tobago experience in the crafting of an Information Communication Technology (ICT) policy for Curacao, and, in particular, to explore the ways in which UWI is contributing to ICTs in development.

Minister Maurice Adriaens and his party paid a courtesy call on the Campus Principal and the Deputy Principal at the Office of the Campus Principal, where they reviewed possibilities for future collaboration. They also met with the Dean of the Engineering Faculty, Professor Brian Copeland at a meeting hosted by the Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering where they shared in candid discussions. Invited academic staff of the Faculty of Engineering and other colleagues, also joined in the discussion on the University’s role in ICT policy development. Minister Adriaens and his party were also provided with information on UWI’s diverse use of ICTs.

The Curaçao ICT sector faces the challenge to develop and utilize the wealth of information that countries such as Trinidad and Tobago have of the ICT sector. While the sector is diverse, there are beliefs that the development of the sector requires a number of common factors which are best achieved through cooperation. As the world becomes increasingly integrated through the application of ICT, it is imperative that Curaçao adopts and implements the competitive practices that ICT enables.

The development of the ICT sector is one of the most important factors in Caribbean integration, particularly that of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). Such is the importance of ICT regional development that the CARICOM Heads of Government have mandated the creation of a CARICOM ICT Strategy. The focus of this strategy is to utilize ICT as a medium through which connections can be made regionally as well as with the rest of the world.

For more information please contact Ms Candice Simonta, UWI Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at 662 2002 Ext. 2637

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