Call to make ICT priority
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
MASTERING the skills in information and communications technology must be made a priority, as failure to do so will result in the people being left behind in the world of ICT.
The private sector's involvement in efforts towards achieving Brunei's vision of exploiting IT to its fullest potential, is critical as it will reduce the burden on the government in strengthening the nation's human resources.
Dr Mataim Bakar, director of the Language and Literature Bureau, praised the efforts of Bitex Sdn Bhd in building a society that is knowleadgeable and informative during the closing ceremony of a workshop on international computer driving licence (ICDL) yesterday.
"This is a positive contribution that is most welcomed especially in the new public management era that is now regarded as a new administration paradigm that stresses good governance," he said.
Mohd Fadhihullah Tudun, an associate consultant of Bitex Sdn Bhd, meanwhile, lauded participants' efforts as they were "brave enough to admit that they need to improve their ICT skills".
He explained that while obtaining hardware in Brunei Darussalam is financially possible, human resources lack the know-how in operating the systems.
"The digital divide is more commonly known as the gap between the people who have access to computers and those who don't. But in Brunei, this is a matter of efficiency and competency," he said.
He said studies showed that the digital divide in Brunei was an issue and must be resolved by educating more people about ICT.
He gave a presentation and evaluation of the Bitex workshop held during the Book Fair at the Indoor Stadium in Berakas.
Mohd Fadhihullah stressed that ICT literacy was "necessary to justify the government spending" on ICT infrastructure.
In an interview with The Brunei Times, information communications technology (ICT) student Yusdi Mahmud from Kemuda Institute said he found that there were more people keen on learning computer skills.
He said: "The Bitex project promoted ICT and it's a really useful skill to have especially for job applications."
Nowadays, government and private sectors both need people with these skills," he added.
Another ICT student at the seminar concurred that school-leavers find the course useful in terms of practical application of knowledge.
Another participant, Sharif Azizi Hj Ismail, said "We also learned about animation and creating presentations. These are marketable skills. I find the best thing about Bitex is that it is offered to everybody."
Speaking on overcoming the obstacles in his task, Yusdi said, "We found it challenging, not difficult."
Both students were involved in a committee that created the official Kemuda Institute website.
Twenty-two-year-old Malaysian, Liana Arman said that she was interested in participating in the workshop as it would open up more employment opportunities.
The college student who is spending her holidays in Brunei, said that the ICDL course would polish up her computer skills.
Seven participants from the Women's Council, students and members of the public attended the seminar.
The Brunei Times
The private sector's involvement in efforts towards achieving Brunei's vision of exploiting IT to its fullest potential, is critical as it will reduce the burden on the government in strengthening the nation's human resources.
Dr Mataim Bakar, director of the Language and Literature Bureau, praised the efforts of Bitex Sdn Bhd in building a society that is knowleadgeable and informative during the closing ceremony of a workshop on international computer driving licence (ICDL) yesterday.
"This is a positive contribution that is most welcomed especially in the new public management era that is now regarded as a new administration paradigm that stresses good governance," he said.
Mohd Fadhihullah Tudun, an associate consultant of Bitex Sdn Bhd, meanwhile, lauded participants' efforts as they were "brave enough to admit that they need to improve their ICT skills".
He explained that while obtaining hardware in Brunei Darussalam is financially possible, human resources lack the know-how in operating the systems.
"The digital divide is more commonly known as the gap between the people who have access to computers and those who don't. But in Brunei, this is a matter of efficiency and competency," he said.
He said studies showed that the digital divide in Brunei was an issue and must be resolved by educating more people about ICT.
He gave a presentation and evaluation of the Bitex workshop held during the Book Fair at the Indoor Stadium in Berakas.
Mohd Fadhihullah stressed that ICT literacy was "necessary to justify the government spending" on ICT infrastructure.
In an interview with The Brunei Times, information communications technology (ICT) student Yusdi Mahmud from Kemuda Institute said he found that there were more people keen on learning computer skills.
He said: "The Bitex project promoted ICT and it's a really useful skill to have especially for job applications."
Nowadays, government and private sectors both need people with these skills," he added.
Another ICT student at the seminar concurred that school-leavers find the course useful in terms of practical application of knowledge.
Another participant, Sharif Azizi Hj Ismail, said "We also learned about animation and creating presentations. These are marketable skills. I find the best thing about Bitex is that it is offered to everybody."
Speaking on overcoming the obstacles in his task, Yusdi said, "We found it challenging, not difficult."
Both students were involved in a committee that created the official Kemuda Institute website.
Twenty-two-year-old Malaysian, Liana Arman said that she was interested in participating in the workshop as it would open up more employment opportunities.
The college student who is spending her holidays in Brunei, said that the ICDL course would polish up her computer skills.
Seven participants from the Women's Council, students and members of the public attended the seminar.
The Brunei Times
Business Besides Oil
