CDD Completes Robotics Course

Chief Community Development Officer, John Hollingsworth says the Community Development Department, CDD, is willing to empower Barbadians and help strengthen communities to play a meaningful role in the new rapidly evolving digital economy.

He made the remarks at the CDD’s inaugural robotics programme graduation ceremony at the Courtyard Marriotts Hotel on Thursday, July 23rd.

Twenty students, including persons living with disabilities graduated from that programme.

Mr. Hollingsworth is hoping that “the success of the programme will inspire others to explore the STEM subjects, science, technology, english and mathematics, thereby developing the skills needed to help shape Barbados’ future.”

The CDD Chief says “learning robotics is no simple undertaking because it requires patience, curiosity, critical thinking, creativity and resilience.”

Mr. Hollingsworth says the acquisition of these attributes will serve the students well throughout their life.

In this regard he lauded the tutors and staff of the CDD for staying the course with the 12 weeks robotics course to ensure its success.

“This evening was a celebration of achievement and recognition of excellence and an affirmation that talent is in every community in Barbados and will be showcased when opportunities are made available,” Mr Hollingsworth posited.

Acting Permanent Secretary, Cleviston Hunte suggested that “if Barbados is to transition into innovation and the technological environment, it needs all of its citizens to be on board.”

Mr. Hunte says a lot of traditional jobs are becoming obsolete as machines and artificial technology replace human beings in the workforce.

He indicated that Barbadians must immerse themselves in technological commitment to ensure they are full global citizens through mastering the technology and performing better than those in the industrialised societies.

“What we have is our brain power to create and make products to put Barbados on the world map,” Mr. Hunte remarked.

The Acting Permanent Secretary noted that whilst the island is building some apps at present, “citizens must place themselves on the world market with products that can earn and monetise the technology.”

He also lauded the engagement of disabled persons in the robotics programme stressing that it’s all about the work and product being created.

“Nobody would know that the creator has a disability and is in a wheelchair, ” Mr. Hunte emphasised.

He also indicated that the Ministry will be doing all in its power to ensure an advanced robotics course also becomes a reality shortly, as well as engaging in study tours for persons involved in the robotics programme.

“Continue with what you are doing and this Ministry will fully support you in your endeavours,” Mr. Hunte suggested.

Tutor, Shawn Hoyte said the persons that took part in the CDD’s inaugural robotics course at the Ivy and Grazettes Community Centres, can compete with any on the world stage.

He says the complex part about robotics and coding is getting the two to work together, where the individual is able to merge the hardware and software.

“That is where the greatness is because even though robotics is about programming it’s also a language,” Mr. Hoyte disclosed.

He says a Barbados team recently took part in a Robotics Competition in Missouri in the United States and placed 72 out of over 800 teams on show.

“I have been to the world stage and I coach the Barbados Robotics team and there’s nothing they can do that we can’t do in Barbados,” Mr Hoyte indicated.

Mr. Hoyte also lauded the disabled students in the inaugural programme, stating that they embodied robotics and didn’t have to be treated differently to the other participants.

“These young men and women can compete with any in the world and I am looking forward to seeing them on the world stage,” Mr. Hoyte pointed out.

Technology continues to transform the way people live and work, the Community Development Department is helping Barbadians to keep pace by providing training for the careers of the future. Twenty individuals, including persons living with disabilities, have graduated from the Community Development Department’s inaugural robotics programme.