Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, Davidson Ishmael (third from left) meeting with Director of the National Transformation Initiative, Dr. Allyson Leacock (second from left) and Coursera officials. (Photo: Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology)
Barbadians will need the requisite digital skills to navigate a digital economy. This is why the partnership between the National Transformation Initiative (NTI) and Coursera is crucial says Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, Davidson Ishmael.
He made the assertion when he met with representatives from Coursera, the online learning platform, during their recent visit here.
Mr. Ishmael explained that his Ministry was charged with building Barbados into a digital economy with a mission to create new opportunities for industry, private enterprise and entrepreneurship for citizens. However, he emphasised that in order to accomplish this, people must have “the skills to successfully navigate the digital space”.
“The partnership with NTI and Coursera will allow our citizens the tools not only to ensure their survival, but to prosper in this digital age. The Ministry can see many advantages in engaging the programme, especially as we advance with the modernisation of the Barbados public service through the Project Execution Unit, funded by the InterAmerican-Development Bank.
“We can also see how we can arm our digital ambassadors with upgraded skills for their interaction with the public as they adopt and engage with governments current and upcoming e-services. Our aim is to increase overall digital literacy among our people,” he said.
The Minister stated that MIST welcomed the strategic partnership with Coursera and NTI to help develop citizens as well as enterprises.
He pointed out that “while we seek to empower and reskill citizens, the Ministry’s focus is to modernise the public service through the building out of modern infrastructure that supports the digital reality”.