In the October 2021 Community Chat, and with members of the Caribbean tech community, Kerrie-Ann Vassall-Richards and Steven Williams, the panel discusses: Has the shrinking of the global marketplace made digital transformation mandatory in the Caribbean; and Have Caribbean businesses become overly dependent on social media for their business presence online?   The episode and show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at ICT Pulse Podcast Page (www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/) Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez Artwork

ICT Pulse Podcast

ICTP 177: Digital transformation in the global marketplace and businesses overdependence on social media

Girls In Tech Guyana is a chapter of the global non-profit, Girls in Tech, which is dedicated to eliminating the gender gap in tech. In this a new episode in our conversations with tech-based social enterprises, we speak with Evie Kanhai-Gurchuran, the Managing Director of Girls In Tech Guyana, on among other things: her journey to lead a tech non-profit; the sustainability of Girls in Tech Guyana, and what it will take to truly move the needle on eliminating the gender gap in tech.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

ICTP 176: Growing a culture of women in tech, with Evie Kanhai-Gurchuran of Girls In Tech Guyana

Over the past several years, Caribbean governments have been engaged in public sector transformation programmes and initiatives to better leverage ICT. However, in many instances, the effort seems open-ended with few concrete outcomes, and the speed of change appears to lag behind that of the society. An exception appears to be the digital transformation programme of the Government the Bahamas, which has been realising a number of successes and milestone achievements. Michael Hamilton, the Programme Coordinator of the Digital Transformation to Strengthen Competitiveness programme for the Government the Bahamas discusses: the programme and what it hopes to achieve; some of its successes to date; how the success of the programme will be measured; and what new developments we should expect in the no-too-distant future.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

ICTP 175: Delving into the Government of the Bahamas Digital Transformation Programme, with Michael Hamilton

In the August 2021 Community Chat, and with members of the Caribbean tech community, Carolyn Ferguson and Liselle Yorke, the panel discusses: Using technology to enhance accessibility to online education for persons with learning impairments, for discussion; and Expanding horizons: how technology is building new connections and opportunities for Caribbean youth.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman

ICTP 174: Online education for persons with learning impairments and using technology to build new connections and opportunities for Caribbean youth

Launching or growing a business is challenging at the best of times, but during a pandemic, it may be unfathomable. Melarka Williams, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ingenuity Technologies and TheHive Freelancing, discusses his entrepreneurial journey to date, including: how Ingenuity Technologies has fared over the past 18 months; why he decided to launch a new venture in the middle of the pandemic; and how he is able to manage two very distinct tech businesses.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

ICTP 173: Leveraging people, process and technology to grow a business and to start a new one, with Melarka Williams

Although digital transformation has been widely discussed and encouraged, there still seems to be a lot of misinformation on the subject, which affects the way organisations approach the process. Nadia Byer-Thomas, of 800 TECH, seeks to dispel key myths around digital transformation. In this episode, seven myths are tackled.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez  

ICTP 172: Debunking digital transformation myths, with Nadia Byer-Thomas, of 800 TECH

Can true digital natives thrive in our traditional education system of the Caribbean? The short answer is no. The technology-based social enterprise, WE CODE CARIBBEAN, seeks to give Caribbean youth the requisite tools to be absolutely disruptive. In our conversation with WE CODE CARIBBEAN’s Founder and CEO, Safiya Olugbala, she discusses: her journey to start WE CODE CARIBBEAN; the ways in which the organisation is leveraging technology; how as an NGO WE CODE CARIBBEAN is addressing profitability/sustainability; and what she hopes the organisation will achieve.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

ICTP 171: Fostering innovation among our youth to swing for the fences, with Safiya Olugbala, of WE CODE CARIBBEAN

In mid-August, Haiti experienced a devastating earthquake, which was quickly followed by a tropical depression. Buildings and infrastructure, including that for telecoms, were severely damaged, but are critical to support relief efforts. Gregory Domond, an ICT Consultant based in Haiti, and Sylvester Cadette, the Programme Officer of the ITU Area Office for the Caribbean, discuss the state of telecoms in Haiti from a local and international perspective.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman

ICTP 170: Telecoms response and recovery in Haiti, post the 2021 earthquake

In the August 2021 Community Chat, and with members of the Caribbean tech community, Genelle Lake and Chad Fraser, the panel discusses: Is the Caribbean taking full advantage of the real opportunities presented by the technology revolution; and Social media and cyber security – navigating the risks.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

ICTP 169: Capitalising on the real opportunities of the technology revolution, and navigating cybersecurity risks in social media

In our second Expert Insights update for 2021, Cybersecurity Consultant, David Gittens shares his thoughts on, among other things: key trends in the current threat landscape; whether individuals or organisations should pay ransom demands;  whether cybersecurity insurance is a worthwhile investment; and three (3) questions organisations should ask when looking to hire a security expert.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

ICTP 168: 2021 Expert Insights update on cyber threats and security in the Caribbean, with David Gittens, of ISSA Barbados

The Innovation Hub that is being established at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC), in Saint Lucia, is expected to improve the competitiveness of College graduates along with the wider economy, by transforming how education is delivered. SALCC Principal/President Dr. Keith Nurse, and Brent St Catherine, Head of the Innovation Hub and the Gateways to Global Careers Programme, discuss: this new initiative; how it has been designed; and why it is likely to achieve its objectives over the long term.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

ICTP 167: Innovation and entrepreneurship in a formal academic institution, with Dr Keith Nurse and Brent St Catherine

Youth, particularly those in developing countries, such in the Caribbean region, are especially vulnerable to a broad range of social ills, but in many instances, they are not properly equipped to navigate those challenges. Elizabeth Terry, Project Lead for UNUH, a mobile gaming app that is currently under development, discusses: why develop a game app directed at youth and what is the problem UNUH is trying to address; why “it takes cash to care”; and why she and her team will be playing ‘the long game’ when assessing the impact of UNUH.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

ICTP 166: Leveraging gaming to change the lives of our youth, with Elizabeth Terry of UNUH

The National Transformation Initiative (NTI) in Barbados is seeking to equip every Barbadian with the knowledge, skills and values to be citizens of good character and competence in a digital world. NTI Director, Dr Allyson Leacock, shares some insights on: how the NTI was established: what it hopes to achieve; and the recent partnership between the NTI and Coursera.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

ICTP 165: Retooling, empowering, retraining and enfranchising Barbadians for the future global workplace, with Dr Allyson Leacock, of the National Transformation Initiative

In the July 2021 Community Chat, and with members of the Caribbean tech community, Nerissa Golden and Dr Lyndell St Ville, the panel discusses: leveraging technology to start, grow and thrive as a Caribbean entrepreneur; and united we stand: raising opportunities for collaboration to achieve success despite uncertainties.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

ICTP 164: Leveraging technology to start, grow and thrive as a Caribbean entrepreneur, and raising opportunities for collaboration

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) is in the process of piloting DCash, the Central Bank Digital Currency for the countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Sharmyn Powell Chief Risk Officer of the ECCB, and Chairperson of the Bank's Fintech Working Group, which is leading the implementation of the DCash Pilot Project, discusses, among other things: DCash and some of the results of the pilot; some of the plans the Bank has for the currency in the future; and key trends that have been emerging in the OECS fintech space.    Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

ICTP 163: Piloting the very first regional digital currency in the world, with Sharmyn Powell of the ECCB

A deep dive into topical Information and Communication Technology (ICT) issues from a Caribbean perspective, through interviews and group discussions with specialists, experts and people trying to make a difference in the tech space. New episodes are released every Wednesday. Show notes are available at ict-pulse.com

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ICT Pulse Podcast

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