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Vanuatu Girls in ICT Celebration 28th April 2016

Introduction

The Girls in ICT initiative of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is a global effort to raise awareness on empowering and encouraging girls and young women to consider studies and careers in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The initiative is committed to celebrate and commemorate the International Girls in ICT Day on the fourth Thursday of every April as established by the ITU membership.
The 2016 Girls in ICT Day celebrations in Vanuatu was coordinated by Women and Girls in ICT Association is a Charitable Association based in Vanuatu.
The event is celebrated for the first time in Vanuatu this year 2016 and it was celebrated at two locations, one at Eles School in Nguna island and one in Port Vila.

 

Eles School Celebration


The Eles school celebration was coordinated by Shannon Tomlinson a Peace Corp volunteer. Eles is located in a remote village at a Computer Lab and Internet Community Center (CLICC) that was installed under the Universal Access Policy managed by the Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR)’s office. 18 mothers and 5 year 8 girls participated in the basic training to create email and Facebook accounts.

Eles participants watching the video speech by Dalsie Baniala, Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulator 28 April 2016

They were addressed by Ms. Dalsie Baniala the Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) through a pre-recorded video message that was downloaded from YouTube - Click to view the video message Vanuatu, joining the rest of the world celebrating Women and Girls in ICT

 

Mothers and girls learn to use email and facebook for the first time at Eles School lab

 

Port Vila Celebration

The event started at 9.30am at the SHEFA Education conference room in Port Vila. It was attended by the following women leaders of Vanuatu;

- Dalsie Baniala – Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR)
- Dorosday Kenneth Watson – Director of Women’s Affairs
- Leimara Malachi – Deputy Lady Mayor of Port Vila
- Soletia Christie - Deputy Country Director of Peace corps
- Two Port Vila market vendor Presidents
- Representative of the Vanuatu Women’s Center.

The Key Note address was delivered by the Vanuatu Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) Dalsie Baniala that focused on the need for empowering women and girls with ICT tools. The Director of Womens Affairs Department Mrs. Dorosday Kenneth Watson also delivered a speech encouraging women to positively use ICT to promote their daily living including their business operations.

Mr. Joseph Tamata owner of a local Computer Network Services also delivered a short speech encouraging women to make use of technology in a positive way. At the end of his speech, he offered to develop and host the Women and Girls in ICT website for free. Before morning tea break, the Deputy Lady Mayor officially launched the Women and Girls in ICT constitution and those who were present signed the constitution as first members of the Association.

Mothers and girls interacting to learn

 

Doreen Lango who is Chairperson of the Women and Girls in ICT day event, later presented the vision of Women and Girls in ICT followed by the Smart Sistas ICT Girls Camp presentation by Rodney Philemon of Peace Corps.

The SMART Sistas ICT Girls Camp Committee is a strong collaboration between US Peace Corps Volunteers, US Peace Corps Staff, ICT Association Professionals (VITUS), the Vanuatu Government and other partners in the ICT industry. The committee began preparations in November 2014 and they hope to expand the program in future years. The 10 girls who were selected from over 60 applicants for the Smart Sistas ICT camp in May joined the sessions with their guardians at 11am and their names were announced for the first time. The Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulator also addressed the 10 girls and congratulate them they were fortunate to have been selected from the many applicants and encouraged them to take this opportunity seriously and that in the next 15 years they will be experts in their specific areas of interest in the development of ICT programs.

The ten girls selected to participate in the SMART Sistas Girls ICT Camp

Training

The training session started with a brief introduction then a hands-on training creating email addresses and personal websites. There was a mixture of young girls and women who interacted to learn how to create their own email address and websites. Some managed to complete the creation of their websites. It is anticipated that a follow-up training for the same group will take place in the next three months. The participants were overwhelmed by the training and wished there was more time.

Outcome

The outcome of the celebrations is as follows;

- Over 100 people attended the celebrations and learned for the first time how to create their email accounts and personal websites.
- 10 Girls aged between 9 and 14 were selection out of over 60 applicants to attend a one week basic training on different programming languages as part of the       Pacific ICT Days Celebrations.
- 30 women and over 20 young girls attended the one day training and were able to created their own email addresses and personal websites and start to use them immediately.
- A quarterly program was established for a follow up training.
- A free offer for creation and host of the women and Girls in ICT by the local owner for Computer Network services.

Details

New Interconnection Agreement Between TVL and DIGICEL 2016 - 2018

On the 5th of May 2016 TVL and Digicel agreed on an amended schedule of prices for their 2014 interconnection agreement. These rates will be in effect until 2018 when the existing agreement expires and another will be re-negotiated.

Details

TRBR consumer survey

Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) is running a general survey for telecommunication users or consumers to provide feedback on various questions that target the use of mobile phones and internet.

The overall aim of the Survey is to comprehensively examine and fully understand consumer experiences   in the current telecommunications market, and to examine the impact of these experiences on the behavior of a consumer.

In addition, the survey will assist the TRBR to be better informed when establishing a Regulatory Framework that is fair and beneficial to all stakeholders including users of the services.

On that note TRBR is Kindly inviting you to participant in responding to the questions provided in the survey. The valuable time you have spent on the survey will help impact the development of telecommunications in Vanuatu and assist TRBR on ways to provide an appropriate and fair framework to promote telecommunication services in Vanuatu.

Click to take the survey .

Details

TRBR releases UAP Stakeholders Update Report No.5

This Fifth Universal Access Policy (UAP) Update Report provides an update to stakeholders on the progress made in Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR)’s implementation of the Government’s UAP up to June 2016. It builds on TRBR’s Fourth UAP Update Report of 5 December 2015. The Report highlights the significant progress that has been made in respect of UAP implementation and, particularly, to building on to the secured industry commitment and cooperation in meeting the UAP requirements and objectives, to bring benefit to the people of Vanuatu – as per the intention of the UAP, as well as the economy of Vanuatu.

TRBR recognizes and acknowledges the commitment of the Players and industry at large for the achievements presented through this Report. It also recognizes the valuable assistance, cooperation and support from the Australian Government through its Governance for Growth Program, which has significantly contributed, through financial support, to the deployment of telecommunications access into remote and underserved areas of Vanuatu particularly on Computer Lab and Internet Community Centres (CLICC) programs. The significant milestones achieved over the last six months by the industry and the stimulus arrangements funded from the UAP Fund, have enabled TRBR to make some very important additional and progressive steps towards meeting the UAP objectives.

Details

Order 3 of 2016 Gazetted

Orders relating to the wholesale international internet services market and speedcast's complaint against ICL notice no.80 of 2016.

Details
  1. 2016 and onwards work plan (Revised - 22 July 2016)
  2. Determination and findings relating to the wholesale international internet services market and speedcast's complaint against intercahnge Ltd
  3. Decision 1 of 2016
  4. Invitations for Expression of Interest Financial Audit Services 2016-2018
  5. Consumer Fact Sheets and Posters
  6. TRR website online feedback survey
  7. Vacancies
  8. Consultation on Draft Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Type Approval and Conformity to Standards Regulation
  9. .VU ccTLD Domain Name Development, Management and Administration Specialist
  10. Pacific IGF (17-18 May) Update held at PITA conference

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