The Minister of Telecommunications and E-Commerce, the Hon. Michael J. Scott, JP, MP today announced that Government is planning to host its very first Technology Week next May. The week will run from May 7 -12, 2007, with the theme, “Everyday, Everywhere, Everyone”. Activities during the week will be designed to encourage greater use of technology, to encourage the development of technology skills; to raise awareness of how technology connects the island with the world and to show how it improves the lives and lifestyles of Bermuda’s residents.
Minister Scott and private sector partners, unveiled the project this morning at a news conference at the Chamber of Commerce. The Minister said he was excited by the initiative and that he is confident that the public and private sectors, institutions, associations, students and the general public will all be motivated to participate by the opportunities that Technology Week will present. “It is an opportunity for us to explore the many dimensions of technology,” he said. “We want to show that while technology is necessary and has emerged to impact every aspect of our lives from the workplace to our homes and schools, technology can also be fun and educational for all ages. We also want to display Bermudian talent and expertise in technology.”
Minister Scott said that while the Department of E-Commerce is spearheading the initiative, the department has partnered with B.TEC (Bermuda Technology Education Collaborative) who will serve as managers for the program. Technology Week is truly a public-private partnership with partners represented by Bermuda College, Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation (BSBDC); Bermuda International Business Association (BIBA); Computer Society of Bermuda (CSB); Association of Bermuda International Companies (ABIC); Chamber of Commerce – Bermuda Technology Division; Ewan Sampson Scholarship Trust and the Bermuda Employers Council (BEC) and by B.TEC who are project managing the initiative.
During Technology Week, there will be opportunities to increase technology skills for a variety of age groups. Some other some specific activities are already in the planning stages. These include:
• An Island-wide Scavenger Hunt using GIS technology on the Government website
• Senior To Seniors initiative matching senior school students with senior to provide information technology training
• Technology Innovation Awards to recognize those who use technology in unique and beneficial ways
• Technology Tours of companies on the island
• Lunch n’ Learn Sessions focusing on using technology, and
• After-School Workshops in computer animation and robotics
More information on Technology Week, including sponsorship opportunities, will be posted on the Ministry website www.techtime.bm which is now live. The Department has also published a guide to Careers in Technology that will be available on the techtime website and distributed at the Careers Fair this week.
