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18. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN
News
NTRC/I Squared Competition commended
THE DECISION by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) to start the Ideas and Innovations (I Squared) Competition, has come in for high praises from two previous participants. Speaking at the launch of the 2016 competition at the Community College last week Friday, September 16, Cenus Hinds, the creator/manager of Konservi App and an assistant Technician at the University of West
Indies Open Campus here, said that he was happy the Competition was aimed at encouraging private sector initiatives. Hinds, who was a member of a team in the first competition in 2013, encouraged young people to “Press on” in pursuit of bringing their ideas to life, and to dismiss persons who tended to be shortsighted. The competition, according to Hinds, serves as a springboard for students. Nyron Collis, a third
form student of the Petit Bordel Secondary School, also commended the competition. He presented a Zip Line to La Soufriere as part of a team project last year and was among the winners. Collis reflected on his previous attempt in the NTRC competition and how that exposure spurred him on to success. The young man reminded students present at the launch, that they have the ability to succeed, but that they
must take charge of their situation. “Don’t stand in the way of your dream,” Collis urged. NTRC’s Director Apollo Knights also addressed the gathering. He encouraged the students present to make the most of the competition, and expressed a desire to see more indigenous technology taking root. “We want to develop more apps for Vincentians by Vincentians,” Knights said, as he pointed to how participation in the Competition could help to open the door to lucrative opportunities in the future. Carlton Browne, Business Solutions Manager Digicel SVG, in his address, endorsed Knights’ sentiments, highlighting that “Apps are big business in today’s world,” and encouraged the students to push the boundaries. The Ideas and Innovations (I Squared) Competition is open to students from secondary schools, technical institutes and the various divisions of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College.
Former participant Nyron Collis spoke of the Competition spurring on to further success. According to the NTRC, the prize for the first place winner would be EC$3500 for the mobile app, and $2000 for innovative ideas. Second place will receive EC$2500 for the mobile app and $1500 for innovative ideas, and third place will receive $1500 for the mobile app and $1000 for innovative ideas. Other prizes include $1000 for the school with the most entries, and mentors from the winning team will receive prizes ranging from $500-$700. Registration for the competition closes on
Cenus Hinds, featured speaker, recognised the I Squared Competition as a meaningful springboard for aspiring innovators.
Apollo Knights, NTRC Director, wants to see a culture of ‘indigenous technology’ taking root. Friday, November 4 this year, with the grand finale taking place on Thursday, January 19th, 2017.
Watch out for poisoned crayfish THE FORESTRY DEPARTMENT in the Ministry of Agriculture has a warning for all those who are regular consumers of the fresh water aquatic life such as CRAYFISH. The warning: You are advised to desist from purchasing and consuming all such products originating from the rivers and streams, unless the origin and method of harvesting can be ascertained and proven. Please be reminded Poisoned (dead) crayfish floating in the waters of the Rabacca (Dry River), Tuesday 13th that the consumption of September, 2016. these animals caught under these conditions is a crayfish from several persons offering health hazard that can lead to death. these items for sale. The warning follows on information In addition, the Department is (later verified) reaching the Forestry appealing to all persons involved in Department that on Tuesday harvesting of these animals, to abide by 13th September, there was an incident the legal methods of harvesting, since to of poisoning of the Rabacca (Dry do otherwise contravenes section 29D of River). Following these reports, the Wildlife Protection Act of 1991. quantities of crayfish were observed to This Act stipulates, inter alia, that be available for sale in the immediate any person who permits the deposit of communities, which led to the any poisonous substance in the waters intervention of the police, who are now being assisted in their investigations by frequented by fish, shrimps or crabs in any place, is guilty of an open offence seven persons. liable to a fine of $2000 and In fact, the police in their investigation, confiscated about 10lbs of imprisonment for six (6) months.