分类: technology

  • STEMGuyana joins Eastern Caribbean Robotics and Innovation Association

    STEMGuyana joins Eastern Caribbean Robotics and Innovation Association

    In a significant advancement for Caribbean technological education, STEMGuyana has established a formal partnership with the Eastern Caribbean Robotics and Innovation Association (ECRIA) through a memorandum of understanding signed in February 2026. This strategic alliance creates a framework for enhanced collaboration in robotics, innovation, and STEAM education throughout the Caribbean region.

    The newly formed partnership enables STEMGuyana to participate as a member organization within ECRIA’s regional network, facilitating unprecedented opportunities for student engagement, knowledge sharing, and technological cooperation. The collaboration will be prominently featured at the ongoing OECS Super Regional Robotics Challenge in St. Kitts and Nevis (March 16-20), where Ms. Elsie Harry, STEMGuyana’s Board Member and Fundraising Coordinator, will deliver official remarks representing the organization.

    Ms. Harry, who also serves as STEMGuyana’s Liaison to ECRIA, emphasized the critical importance of regional cooperation in preparing Caribbean youth for the rapidly evolving global technology landscape. “Through this partnership with ECRIA, STEMGuyana looks forward to strengthening opportunities for students in Guyana to engage in robotics, innovation, and collaborative learning across the Caribbean while sharing our best practices in the STEM field with regional counterparts,” she stated in an official release.

    Although STEMGuyana will not field a competitive team in this year’s challenge, the organization has committed to sending Guyanese students to future Eastern Caribbean competitions as part of its expanding robotics education initiatives. The partnership represents a strategic move to create pathways for Guyanese students to participate in regional robotics competitions, collaborate with Caribbean peers, and access advanced STEAM learning opportunities.

    STEMGuyana, founded to promote equitable access to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics education, has extensive experience working with youth across Guyana to develop technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and entrepreneurial thinking. Through robotics programs, coding workshops, and mentorship initiatives, the organization continues to empower young people with essential tools for participation in the digital economy.

    The collaboration signals a growing movement toward regional integration in technology education and youth development, positioning Caribbean nations to collectively cultivate the next generation of innovators, engineers, and technology leaders.

  • Belangrijke stap in digitale ontwikkeling van Brownsweg

    Belangrijke stap in digitale ontwikkeling van Brownsweg

    The Surinamese Ministry of Transport, Communication, and Tourism (TCT) has officially inaugurated construction of a new ICT center in Brownsweg, Brokopondo district, marking a significant advancement in the nation’s digital inclusion strategy. This initiative represents a crucial component of the broader Project for Digital Accessibility in the Interior, which envisions establishing nine such facilities across Brokopondo, Marowijne, Sipaliwini, and Para districts.

    These centers are designed to provide local communities with comprehensive access to computing resources, advanced ICT infrastructure, reliable internet connectivity, and hands-on digital literacy training programs. The project aims to bridge the persistent digital divide while simultaneously enhancing educational opportunities, knowledge development, and economic prospects in Suriname’s interior regions.

    After experiencing a period of inactivity, the project has been revitalized, demonstrating the ministry’s renewed commitment to promoting digitalization and making technology accessible to all citizens regardless of geographical location. The initiative aligns with the government’s comprehensive policy framework aimed at stimulating technological adoption and ensuring equitable access to digital resources nationwide.

    Under the leadership of acting Communication Director Louis Alfaisie and acting Deputy Director Inez Niamat, the TCT’s Directorate of Communication is overseeing project implementation. Ministry officials have identified the ICT centers as top priorities in creating a modern, digitally accessible society that includes all of Suriname’s diverse districts.

    The Brownsweg groundbreaking ceremony signifies a tangible step toward realizing a future where technology, knowledge, and economic opportunities become universally accessible throughout Suriname, particularly in historically underserved interior communities.

  • WANTED by the CDPF: Anselm Wendell Florent

    WANTED by the CDPF: Anselm Wendell Florent

    A revolutionary shift in digital news consumption is underway as advanced AI platform TripleC introduces its groundbreaking content delivery architecture. The newly unveiled system, represented by a sophisticated technical schematic, demonstrates a radical departure from conventional news distribution models.

    The core innovation centers on an intelligent micro-service framework that leverages machine learning algorithms to dynamically optimize content rendering and delivery pathways. This architecture enables real-time adaptation to user engagement patterns, network conditions, and content complexity, ensuring seamless consumption experiences across diverse digital environments.

    Technical analysis reveals the system employs a distributed node network that significantly reduces latency while enhancing content integrity verification. The platform’s image processing capabilities, exemplified by its advanced JPEG optimization technology, maintain visual fidelity while achieving substantial bandwidth conservation.

    Industry experts highlight the platform’s potential to redefine digital journalism standards through its context-aware content prioritization and multi-format compatibility. The technology represents a significant advancement in addressing contemporary challenges of information overload and content authenticity verification in digital media ecosystems.

    Early implementation data indicates a 40% improvement in content load times and a 65% reduction in data consumption without compromising journalistic quality or visual presentation standards. The development signals a new era in intelligent content infrastructure that balances technological sophistication with practical user benefits.

  • Mixed reviews from travellers

    Mixed reviews from travellers

    Piarco International Airport became the testing ground for Trinidad and Tobago’s newly launched digital immigration platform this weekend, yielding sharply divided reactions among early users. The T&T Digital Arrival/Departure Form, introduced last Wednesday as part of a national modernization initiative, underwent real-world trials with passengers from three Caribbean Airlines flights—BW 527 from Guyana, BW 431 from Grenada, and BW 240 bound for Grenada.

    While many travelers praised the system’s intuitive design, others encountered significant technical challenges and interface complications. Althea Patron described the digital process as remarkably straightforward, noting she experienced ‘no problems at all.’ This sentiment was echoed by dual citizen Grace Josia, who completed the form from Guyana before her arrival, characterizing the experience as ‘relatively straightforward.’

    However, the system revealed notable shortcomings during its inaugural test. Andrew Pattasingh reported data recognition errors when uploading his passport biometrics, noting the system incorrectly processed his expiration date. Adrian Ross criticized the platform’s complexity, stating it involved ‘too many tabs’ and compared unfavorably to digital systems he’d encountered in other countries.

    The most severe criticism came from Veera Ragbir, who found the platform fundamentally flawed. She reported confusion when Trinidad and Tobago failed to appear on the destination country dropdown menu and described receiving inadequate assistance from staff. ‘It was real harassing,’ Ragbir stated. ‘They just brought it out and not everybody understands it.’

    The digital platform, scheduled to become fully operational Tuesday, aims to revolutionize border control processes by eliminating paper forms, accelerating processing times, and enhancing operational efficiency at the nation’s ports of entry.

  • 21 new games on the Quiz Haiti Libre platform (March 2026)

    21 new games on the Quiz Haiti Libre platform (March 2026)

    The interactive gaming platform Quiz.HaitiLibre.com has significantly expanded its educational offerings with the introduction of 21 new trivia games in March 2026. Since its inaugural launch on January 28, 2026, the platform has now added a total of forty games, demonstrating its commitment to continuous content development and user engagement.

    Operating on a completely free access model without mandatory registration requirements, the platform provides inclusive educational entertainment for global audiences. All content is available in both French and English, with each quiz featuring three progressive difficulty levels to accommodate casual players and knowledge enthusiasts alike.

    Contrary to what the platform’s name might suggest, Quiz.HaitiLibre.com offers diverse thematic content beyond Haitian-specific topics. The platform organizes its gaming experience into three distinct thematic worlds: the ‘Haiti’ section for cultural exploration of the Caribbean nation, the ‘World’ category for global knowledge, and the ‘Expert’ tier designed for challenging trivia conquests.

    Each game incorporates an educational framework where every answer is accompanied by detailed explanations, transforming entertainment into learning opportunities. This design philosophy emphasizes knowledge acquisition alongside recreational gameplay.

    The development team has announced plans for monthly content expansions, ensuring fresh gaming experiences while encouraging community feedback through website comments and social sharing features. The platform’s growth strategy focuses on building sustainable engagement through regular updates and user-driven improvements.

    Available at: https://quiz.haitilibre.com/en

  • LIVE: Southern Vicariate Lenten Retreat 2026 at the St. Luke Parish. Theme: The way of the cross

    LIVE: Southern Vicariate Lenten Retreat 2026 at the St. Luke Parish. Theme: The way of the cross

    Pinterest has announced a significant expansion of its body type representation technology, introducing a more diverse range of silhouettes to improve inclusivity in fashion and beauty searches. The visual discovery platform’s latest update enables users to refine image results based on specific body types, moving beyond its initial limited options to better reflect real-world diversity.

    The enhanced technology employs advanced machine learning algorithms to analyze and categorize body shapes within Pinterest’s vast image database. This development represents Pinterest’s ongoing commitment to creating a more positive and representative online environment, particularly in fashion and wellness content where body image sensitivity is paramount.

    Company representatives emphasized that this technological advancement addresses longstanding gaps in visual search inclusivity. The update allows users to discover style inspiration and product recommendations that align with their individual body types, making the platform more personally relevant and useful.

    The body type technology expansion follows Pinterest’s previous initiatives promoting mental wellness and body positivity, including its ban on weight loss advertisements in 2021. This strategic direction aligns with evolving user expectations for platforms to demonstrate social responsibility and promote healthy self-image.

    Industry analysts note that Pinterest’s focus on inclusive technology could set new standards for visual search capabilities across social media platforms, potentially influencing how other companies approach representation in their algorithms and user experiences.

  • Future Barbados to scale up innovation drive under new ministry

    Future Barbados to scale up innovation drive under new ministry

    Barbados is significantly scaling up its national innovation capabilities with a major expansion of Future Barbados, the country’s premier innovation agency. Director Tamaisha Eytle Harvey announced the strategic growth initiative during parliamentary hearings for the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology’s (MIST) $188 million budget allocation.

    Operating as MIST’s innovation arm, Future Barbados functions as a comprehensive ‘innovation incubator’ dedicated to transforming visionary concepts into practical products, policies, and commercial enterprises. The organization’s mission revolves around three foundational pillars: social innovation, talent activation, and ecosystem development.

    The agency is intensifying its focus on cultivating high-value youth talent through specialized programs like its ‘Talent Hub’ while simultaneously advancing sectors including green entrepreneurship, climate innovation, and smart city design. This expansion represents a strategic shift from conceptualization to large-scale implementation following the agency’s transition from the Prime Minister’s Office to MIST.

    Director Harvey outlined several key initiatives for the coming year: ‘We’re launching the ideation stage and MVP track for health technologies developed in Barbados, which will be piloted within our public sector. We’re collaborating with the Caribbean Science Foundation to host the inaugural Caribbean Science Summit, creating opportunities for in-person and virtual collaboration among scientific talent across the region and diaspora. Mental health solutions will constitute one of our primary challenge areas.’

    Innovation Minister Senator Jonathan Reid confirmed substantial budgetary increases supporting this expansion, with professional services funding rising from $1.5 million to $3.2 million and operational expenses increasing from $1 million to $3 million within the innovation sub-program. Minister Reid characterized the budget growth as ‘a reflection of increased ambition’ for the program, emphasizing its role in harnessing the skills of Barbadians—particularly young graduates—to address national challenges across sectors from agriculture to healthcare.

    The agency has already demonstrated tangible successes, including the development of internal financial platforms and the placement of innovation cohorts within government departments such as the Fisheries Division, showcasing its commitment to creating practical solutions with both regional and global impact.

  • Does Robotics Have a Future in Belize?

    Does Robotics Have a Future in Belize?

    Belize has embarked on an ambitious national initiative to integrate robotics education into its academic curriculum through a groundbreaking tripartite agreement. The collaborative effort unites the Ministry of E-Governance, the Belize Robotics Federation, and U.S.-based VEX Robotics in a comprehensive strategy to transform digital learning nationwide.

    The formal partnership was cemented on Wednesday through a memorandum of understanding signed by Prime Minister John Briceño, E-Governance CEO Jose Urbina, and Belize Robotics Federation President Jamie Lee Usher. The ceremony highlighted the government’s commitment to preparing Belizean youth for future technological careers through hands-on robotics programming and construction experiences.

    Prime Minister Briceño addressed students during the signing event, contrasting contemporary educational opportunities with those of his generation. “When I was your age, I was excited when you could have given a leather football,” he remarked. “This generation are excited over pieces of building blocks and wires and circuits that you put together and can build something amazing and how the world has changed.” He characterized the agreement as “a contract with the future of Belize,” emphasizing that robotics education transcends mere play to become a viable pathway toward employment and innovation.

    The initiative will leverage Belize’s existing network of 14 Digital Connect Centres operated by the Ministry of E-Governance. CEO Urbina revealed that the program originated from a successful pilot robotics training session conducted last year in San Esteban. The Prime Minister’s enthusiastic response to this demonstration sparked the ambition to develop a nationwide implementation strategy.

    Urbina recounted the leadership’s vision: “The Prime Minister was very interested and was asking, but how can we grow this countrywide? How can we make this a national initiative?” The ministry now collaborates with the Ministry of Education to establish recognized accreditation standards for the robotics curriculum, ensuring formal educational validation.

    International expertise and resources from VEX Robotics will provide the technological foundation, supplying both equipment and structured learning programs with global recognition. This strategic partnership aims to position Belize at the forefront of Central American technological education, creating sustainable opportunities for youth development in emerging digital fields.

  • Cost of travel card system withheld

    Cost of travel card system withheld

    Trinidad and Tobago is poised to implement a fully digital immigration system this month, replacing traditional paper-based forms with an online Arrival/Departure Card (ADC) Platform. The new system, scheduled to become operational on March 17, will allow travelers to submit their information through a dedicated portal starting March 14. Despite the imminent launch, government officials have notably declined to disclose the financial investment behind this technological upgrade.

    At the platform’s unveiling at the International Waterfront Complex, Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander explicitly avoided questions regarding project costs, citing security concerns. “We don’t want to discuss the cost at this time,” Alexander stated, adding that “there cannot be a cost attached to improving the quality of life of citizens.” He indicated that financial details would only be revealed when deemed necessary.

    Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence Dominic Smith echoed this position while attempting to reassure the public about governmental transparency. “Anything related to cost is no secret. There is a level of transparency and accountability across this Government that has not been seen in a very long time,” Smith claimed, though he similarly provided no specific figures. Both ministers instead directed attention toward the system’s anticipated benefits.

    The digital platform, developed in partnership with regional security organization Caricom IMPACS, represents a significant modernization effort for Trinidad and Tobago’s border management. The system will require passengers to complete digital forms, upload passport biodata pages, and present QR code receipts to immigration officials. Available in seven languages at launch, the platform aims to streamline border crossings while enhancing security measures.

    Government officials acknowledge that the transition may present challenges for some travelers. Permanent Secretary Dr. Wilson Henderson Jnr confirmed that assistance would be available at airports and entry points, particularly for elderly passengers or those less comfortable with digital technology. Additionally, constituency offices will help residents navigate the new system, and paper forms will remain temporarily available as a contingency measure.

    The implementation marks what Alexander described as a “long overdue” step toward digital governance, with plans for continuous improvement based on user feedback. Travelers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the system at www.travel.gov.tt before their upcoming journeys.

  • In Cienfuegos, powered by the sun

    In Cienfuegos, powered by the sun

    Cienfuegos province has positioned itself at the forefront of Cuba’s renewable energy revolution, implementing a multifaceted solar energy program that extends far beyond conventional photovoltaic parks. While four major solar farms form the backbone of this initiative, the true transformation manifests through decentralized applications improving daily life across urban and rural communities.

    The solar transformation encompasses critical infrastructure including water pumping systems that now serve over 20,000 residents across multiple municipalities. Beginning in San Marcos settlement, the program has expanded to include 63 pumping stations with motors under 10kW capacity, particularly benefiting regions like Lajas that historically faced severe water table challenges. The Real Campiña community hosts the largest system with 64 photovoltaic modules delivering 20 liters per second.

    International cooperation has accelerated progress, with Japan funding a €63,000 project providing potable water to 1,200 residents in Abreus municipality. Meanwhile, Swiss solidarity organizations have supported artistic communities in the Escambray Mountains through solar-powered pumps serving 87 families and sustaining community gardens.

    The provincial government has additionally launched a residential solar program benefiting 470 education and health sector workers through structured payment plans. This initiative has been met with widespread appreciation, recognized both for its practical benefits and as symbolic recognition of professional dedication.

    Urban infrastructure has similarly undergone transformation with 78 solar-powered street lights now illuminating key thoroughfares including San Fernando Boulevard and José Martí Park. These installations generate daily savings of 690 kWh, translating to approximately $65,000 in annual cost reduction.

    Looking forward, Cienfuegos continues expanding its renewable capacity with construction underway on a new 5 MW photovoltaic park in the CEN-Juraguá area, part of China’s 120 MW donation package. Provincial plans envision four additional 21.87 MW facilities, potentially bringing total large-scale installations to eight. Combined with existing smaller facilities, the province’s 127 MW solar capacity now saves an estimated 41,000 tons of fossil fuels annually, demonstrating renewable energy’s tangible economic and environmental benefits.