ECTEL Launches Graphic Design Competition Following Successful Virtual Event

Castries – Saint Lucia – 12 th May 2023 – Scores of students, mostly girls from across the five
Member States of the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL)
participated in the Directorate’s Girls in ICT 2023 Virtual Tech Talk and Training. The event
was held on May 9 th under the theme ‘Digital Skills for Life’. Since 2011, the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) has been coordinating Girls in ICT Day annually to inspire
and encourage girls to pursue a future in ICTs towards bridging the digital gender divide. The
ITU and its partners from around the world use the observance to encourage young women
and girls to pursue their studies and careers in science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM) and other fields.

In her opening remarks, ECTEL’s Acting Managing Director, Ms. Cheryl Hector Fontenelle
said, “The theme for the event is important because currently the governments of the ECTEL
Member States, are implementing policies designed to digitally transform the economies
making it more efficient to perform a number of tasks, therefore, new digital skills will be
required by all citizens.” She went on to say, “For our part, ECTEL will be promoting
affordable access to high quality and reliable broadband service, and as young ladies, you
must avail yourselves of new skills and take advantage of the opportunities to become
accomplished entrepreneurs in this digital sphere.”

Thereafter, the participants were in for a treat as the two guest speakers and two trainers
shared their stories about why they chose ICT careers, the struggles they encountered, how
they overcame them and the many benefits they have experienced over the years. In her brief
yet impactful presentation, Ms. Michele Marius, ICT Pulse Director (Saint Lucia),
encouraged the female participants to not be intimidated by the STEM subjects. Instead, she
told them to be confident, have a positive attitude and be prepared to prod through the
subjects. She noted that a lot of the inventions and strides made in science have come from
women, giving the example that the Chief Technical Officer for the company that created the
ChatGPT Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot, is a woman, therefore pointing to the fact that
girls have a place the ICT field. According to Ms. Marius, “STEM subjects give you more
options especially in a world that has become more digital. STEM positions you for success
in the long term, so ensure that you are equipped with skills that will allow you to have many
choices to succeed in the future.”

Meanwhile, in an engaging presentation, the second speaker, Ms. Simone Joseph-Ollivierre,
the Assistant Director, EGovernment Unit, Information Technology Services Division (St.
Vincent and the Grenadines) encouraged participants to do what they are passionate about
and find a creative way to incorporate ICT in their career. She explained how traditional
careers can take on a new twist when merged with ICT. For example, she told the students
who had an interest in medicine that they don’t have to set up a brick and mortar business,

instead they can explore telemedicine. Those who might be interested in real estate can offer
virtual tours to prospective buyers, both local and overseas, without being in the physical
space. She ended her presentation by allowing participants a moment to say positive ‘I am…’
affirmations about who they would like to be in the future.

Following the insightful talks, participants were then given an opportunity to acquire
practical digital skills from our two trainers. Ms. Suean Benoire, Graphic Designer at the
OECS Commission (Saint Lucia) delivered a comprehensive presentation on ‘Graphic
Designs that Wow!’ using any design software or platform. She also carried out a live
demonstration of how to create a design using Adobe Illustrator. Additionally, Ms. Medisha
Augustine-Casimir, Digital Marketer & Brand Strategist, Apachy Solutions (Commonwealth
of Dominica) gave participants a thorough overview of how to create stunning designs using
Canva, she also carried out live demonstrations using the platform.
Following the presentations, a follow up Graphic Design Competition was launched. The
competition runs from May 9 th to June 6 th , and the winners will be announced on June 28,

The competition is open to girls from ECTEL’s Member States ages 11 to 14 and 15 to

Each category will be awarded with a first prize of EC$500, 2 nd – EC$300 and a US$50
Amazon Gift card for the most likes attained on social media.
Subsequently, the vote of thanks was delivered by Ms. Janelle Augustin-Henry, ECTEL’s
Information Systems Manager who wrapped up by saying, “To borrow some indisputable
words from an educator and IT Proponent, David Warlick, technology is ‘the pen and paper
of our time, and it is the lens through which we experience much of our world.’ As we end,
we truly hope that after this morning’s session you don’t simply see the world through the
lens of technology, but instead, you see the lens itself and grasp the opportunities it offers.”
The entire event including the talks and trainings can be accessed on our Facebook page:
https://fb.watch/ksJQX4yN4-/ and https://fb.watch/ksR4IKDGCE/.
Since 4 th May 2000, ECTEL has been the regional regulatory body advising the National
Telecommunications Regulatory Commissions (NTRCs) on electronic communications
matters in its five (5) Member States, namely: the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St.
Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In simple terms, ECTEL
works with the NTRCs to promote consumer rights and harmonised benefits in the electronic
communications sector in its Member States.
Visit www.ectel.int or follow us @ectel on Facebook and YouTube and @ectelauthority on
Instagram and Twitter for more information about ECTEL’s work.
The post ECTEL Launches Graphic Design Competition Following Successful Virtual Event first appeared on SKNIS.