HRH Crown Prince in high-tech world
Friday, November 5, 2010
THE inaugural TechXpo was launched yesterday, with His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) beginning the proceedings.
The technology theme was immediately emphasised when a robot walked up to present a "Pesambah" to HRH the Crown Prince which also signaled the opening of the event.
The robot, Dinsow, is the first human robot invented by Thailand. Its development was to help the hearing impaired with speech problems, and is designed to read in Thai. Brought to Brunei in collaborationwith the Asia Pacific Info-Communication Technology Awards and CT Asia Robotics, Dinsow will be developed further to add helping senior citizens and disabled people to its repertoire of capabilities.
Brunei's first ever Technology Expo or the 2010 Techxpo, has been touted as a platform for consumers and businesses to discuss global technology trends, developments and ideas.
After launching the event, HRH Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah was later taken on a tour of the expo's showcase area. There, he was able to take in some of the latest technology developments that are available and being used in Brunei Darussalam.
These technology ranged from the latest developments in High Definition teleconferencing being showcased by DST communications to the High Definition television services being provided by Kristal-Astro, its subsidiary.
The Crown Prince also had the opportunity to view Brunei's own technology talents with students efforts in robotics.
Supported by the Prime Minister's Office and various ministries, the exhibition highlights alternative technology, domestic technology and high-end technology and also the research technology industry.
On hand to accompany the Crown Prince on the tour was Abd Ghani Pg Hj Metusin, chairman of the InfoCom Federation Brunei; the Education Minister, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Doctor Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong; Communications Minister, Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdullah Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar; and Deputy Minister at PMO, Dato Paduka Hj Abdul Wahab Juned.
Following the launch, the TechXpo is open to the public until November 7, from 10am to 10pm.The Brunei Times
Courtesy of- The Brunei Times
Initiative to bridge digital divide
Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah (R), Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, viewing the video conferencing technology during the TechXpo 2010, at the International Convention Centre, Berakas. Picture:BT/Rudolf Portillo
Izam Said Ya'akub
Friday, November 5, 2010
MICROSOFT Corporation will make its way to rural communities to train and equip Bruneians with IT skills in bridging the digital divide and support Brunei's e-government initiative.
The multinational company is collaborating with non-profit organisation Infocom Federation of Brunei to bring IT training and assessment to the doorsteps of those in rural areas.
Microsoft Country Manager Azizah Ali said that they will start the training sessions in January next year to improve digital literacy in Brunei.
"If you look at what the government is doing around e-government, in the future, they will be enabling online services," she told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the first TechXpo at the International Convention Centre (ICC) yesterday.
The country manager said that if a citizen does not know how to use the computer or access the Internet, they will lose out on whatever government initiative is introduced online.
"It will not be used by the citizens," said Azizah.
Microsoft will also be looking to see who will collaborate with them on the training programme, and provide the content for free.
"We will provide the trainers and encourage the people to really get used to this digital world and digital lifestyle that's coming," she said. The company is also conducting a number of tests and training for four days at the inaugural TechXpo 2010, where individuals can determine whether they know how to use computers and are aware of the risks of going online.
A total of 50 computers have been set up for the training at ICC. Those who drop by the ICC will also be able to learn about the ethics of using the Internet, an aspect that is particularly important for first time users, especially the younger generation. "These are the various curriculum that we actually have, and over the next four days we will be running this curriculum, and we would like to encourage the citizens, from the younger to the elder generations," said Azizah.
courtesy of- The Brunei Times
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