In an era where smartphones are vibrating in the pockets of every other person you run into, most of us are no strangers to mobile applications - - apps for short. And while many Belizeans use apps, very few of us create them. The Public Utilities Commission hopes to change this by hosting its first installment of the Annual Innovation Competition which will feature a Mobile Application Development workshop and competition. 45 teenagers from the ages of 12 to 18 will be selected to attend a 4 day workshop where they will be taught how to develop a mobile app. In a country with the slowest, most expensive internet in the Caribbean, this competition can be an important stepping stone to a growing IT industry. That's what the PUC explained today:
John Avery, Chairman - PUC
"What we are hoping basically is to scour Belizeans particularly young people to think outside the traditional boundaries that are placed on young people growing up in Belize, but we are simply to go to school and hope to land a good job after we finished school. Why can't the next Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg come from Belize? We don't think we should limit ourselves with respect to what we can accomplish."
Carla Maheia-Hart, Commissioner - PUC
"The idea is to promote innovation that will assist our economy and we are hoping to pull out the talent that's through Belize from north to south by engaging the young people in the program and tying that competitive element to get them out in force."
John Avery, Chairman - PUC
"Really the purpose of this thing is to engage our young people particularly those who have the drive, who have the wherewithal and who wants to innovate and be creative and to contribute to the long term development of our country and our people."
Those interested in participating can visit the PUC website for more information.?The workshop will be held from August 18 to the 22nd at the Ramada Princess Hotel & Casino in Belize City. Each member of the winning group will receive 1 tablet and 1 year's internet service.
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