Business
BrightPath and Columbus recognize Caribbean tech innovators at TechLink initiative
Bevil Wooding, Founder and Executive Director of BrightPath Foundation
Six Caribbean nationals have been recognized for their contribution to advancing technology innovation in the region at the launch of the BrightPath Foundation TechLink initiative in Grenada.
BrightPath in collaboration with its corporate partner Columbus Communications presented 2013 TechLink Caribbean Innovators Awards in 5 categories to Ingrid Riley of Jamaica, Nerissa Golden of Montserrat, Deanne Scott and Teddy Frederick of Grenada, Juma Bannister of Trinidad & Tobago, and Stephen Lee, a Jamaican-born US national.
“The launch of TechLink in Grenada is the beginning of a revolution in community based technology education for the region. The TechLink Caribbean Tech Innovation Awards celebrate the many hard-working, and often unheralded, pioneers who are advancing the tech sector in the region. We believe their stories and their achievements can serve as a powerful inspiration to others in the region,” explained BrightPath Executive Director Bevil Wooding during the launch.
“Our vision for TechLink now is to take the seed planted in Grenada and translate it into Caribbean apps, Caribbean books, Caribbean photos, Caribbean videos, and Caribbean solutions to Caribbean challenges,” Wooding declared.
Stephen Lee, the CEO of ArkiTechs Inc, a Florida-based IT consulting and services provider received the TechLink Tech Diaspora Service Award, for corporate volunteerism and for his outstanding contribution to technology training and Caribbean mobile app development.
Jamaica-born Lee, is a founding member of the Caribbean Network Operators (CaribNOG) Coordinating Team and serves as a Telecommunications Advisor to the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU). He has also developed a suite of mobile apps to promote local content and culture.
Ingrid Riley received the TechLink Game Changer’s Award for Social Entrepreneurship and her contribution to transforming the region’s approach to tech business startups. She is the founder of Connectimass, a non-profit which teaches tech entrepreneurship and innovation.
The TechLink Tech Community Service Award which recognizes individuals and organizations, making a significant impact at a community level in technology advocacy, education, public awareness and innovative solution implementation, was presented to Nerissa Golden for Outstanding Contribution to Caribbean Storytelling and Encouraging Participation Women in ICT, through her www.trulycaribbean.net web portal and entrepreneurship events.
Juma Bannister of Trinidad & Tobago received the TechLink Digital Content Award, which recognizes individuals and organizations that are making a significant to education and community mobilization in the area of local content development and preservation. He was recognized for his contributions in the area of digital photography training through his Elevate Caribbean initiative.
Two Grenadians were given special TechLink Local Innovator’s Award which recognizes individuals showing promise or who are adopting an innovative approach to developing technology solutions that meet local needs and create global opportunities.
Deanne Scott was recognized for Grassroots Innovation and her contribution to e-Health and public awareness. Teddy Frederick was awarded was for his contribution to promoting local content creation through photography.
As part of a wider Memorandum of Understanding between the two companies, Columbus and BrightPath are rolling out this initiative throughout the Caribbean following the Grenada launch.
The TechLink program will offer communities across the region training in digital content creation, targeting youth, parents, seniors, educators and small business owners.
Learn more about the TechLink program and the BrightPath Foundation at www.brightpathfoundation.org.
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