Computer society holds seminar

THE Papua New Guinea Computer Society’s second quarter seminar in Port Moresby this week viewed the latest trends in information and communication technology.
Digitech PNG and Datec PNG,  two of the sponsors of the event, made presentations on the latest developments in cloud hosting and internet technology to IT students and society members.
The National Information and Communication Technology Authority made a presentation on the result of regulating a competitive ICT market in the country.
Society secretary Sadiq Ali said they organized three quarterly seminars and one annual seminar each year.
He said they would host an ICT exhibition for IT companies to showcase their products and services.
It will train four secondary school students to participate in the inter-school software completion in Sri Lanka sponsored by the South East Asia Regional Computer Federation.

Source:
The National, Friday 14th June 2013

http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/51394

K500m for university ICT development

By HAIVETA KIVIA

THE National Government is embarking on a K500 million information and communication technology (ICT) upgrade and development for all government run universities in the country.
The University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), Papua New Guinea University of Technology (Unitech), the University of Goroka and the University of Natural Resources and Environment (UNRE, Vudal) will be the beneficiaries.
Treasurer and Acting Minister for Higher Education, Science, Research and Technology Don Polye announced this yesterday, saying ICT infrastructures are minimal, primitive and in some instances, non-existent.
The announcement was made after Mr Polye accepted the investigation report into the Lae Unitech unrest and alleged mismanagement and maladministration from retired National and Supreme Court judge Mark Sevua, in Port Moresby.
Mr Polye said the government, particularly his Treasury Ministry is yet to decide whether the program will be done in just a year or spread over a two or three year period, starting next year and it is also dependent on surpluses and gains in the forecasts in next year’s national budget.
He said if that commitment fits into the budget framework for next year then it will be done in one year but if it can’t then it will be spread over several years.
Mr Polye said in order to improve the level of education at the universities, government must allocate the necessary funds to improve ICT.
“The government must bear some responsibility in fixing the ICT problems of the universities as we have not provided enough support in the past,” he said.
Mr Polye said between K5-K10 million will be provided to the universities this year to buy computers, laptops and other accessories but he did indicate how soon that would be.
“It is one of the very, very important tools in modern day universities and by improving the ICT capacities of our institutions, we will improve the quality levels,” he said.
While the national government is trying to improve its universities’ ICT programs and infrastructures, the Divine Word University went paper-free by providing laptops to all its students enrolled at the university since 2009.
Upon enrollment, new students are presented with a laptop which they will keep for the duration of the course program and leave with it after graduating.
Meanwhile, the National Polytechnic Institution of Papua New Guinea, formerly Lae Technical College, is also in need of ICT improvements and infrastructure developments.
Students at this institution petitioned their school board and management to improve its ICT infrastructure and they would dearly love to be included by the government its ICT improvement program.
The government will decide.

Post Courier Online
Source: http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20130614/frhome.htm

Regulating a Competitive ICT Market in PNG – the Resultant Effects by Charles Punaha, NICTA CEO [audio]

By on June 12, 2013

 

NICTA CEO, Charles Punaha

 

Fortunately, for the audience at the Papua New Guinea Computer Society (PNGCS) second quarter seminar at the Holiday Inn, a last minute change had the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Information and Communication Technology Authority (NICTA) himself, Charles Punaha, present the topic “Regulating a Competitive ICT Market in PNG – the Resultant Effects.”

 

His presentation took over an hour but the enigmatic man managed to keep the audience interested – and even took 10 extra minutes to answer questions.

 

The presentation started with a basic introduction to NICTA and then went to state its roles and responsibilities including the major changes that they have or are enforcing which may see a drastic decrease in the cost of ICT in the country within the next year or so.

 

Punaha also indicated some major changes including the introduction of LTE technology, SIM card registration, cyber-crime and the switch from analogue to digital television broadcasting.

 

Anyway, if you missed out on the seminar then I’ve included an audio recording just for you.

 

Happy listening and please leave a comment. Link to download : http://snd.sc/19tLuGW

Source: http://bernardosbagofbeans.com/2013/06/12/regulating-a-competitive-ict-market-in-png-the-resultant-effects-by-charles-punaha-nicta-ceo-audio/

Website boosts health information

 By ELIZABETH MIAE
HEALTH workers are now able to access information on reproductive health training from a new website launched in Port Moresby last Friday.
The PNG Reproductive Health Training Unit (RHTU) website: www.rhtu.org.pg has a training calendar that provides an easy and central place to find out where the unit  is operating.
The calendar also offers a comprehensive overview of the available reproductive health training programmes in PNG offered by the unit and other partners.
The RHTU is a public-private partnership between the Health Department, the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the Oil Search Health Foundation.
The website contains information about the establishment of RHTU, its partners and the history of the PPP model, profiles of its team and the steering committee, a blog with the latest stories and photos of reproductive training and a number of useful resources such as direct access to the department’s policies, standard treatment guidelines and memos from the health secretary.
According to RHTU director Dr Miriam O’Connor, the unit was being set up in phases to develop and deliver reproductive health continuing professional development in the PNG context primarily to health workers including health educators (pre-service, post-graduate and in-service).

The National Online
Source: http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/51172

SHP schools go hi-tech

HAVING access to quality education is one of the main drivers for nation building.
Southern Highlands Provincial Government is committed to build and strengthen education sector that was formulated in its strategic plan for the province.
Southern Highlands Governor William Powi yesterday presented a cheque of K500,000 to Telikom PNG Ltd to install high speed VSAT broadband internet service to 12 schools. It will be implemented through Telikom Foundation’s Clean Internet concept.
Mr Powi when presenting the cheque said his government is committed to restoring basic services and would work in partnership with State Own Enterprises to deliver much needed service to add value to the people.
“Working in partnership with Telikom, we will get all our schools connected to clean internet to enable our students and teachers to have access to online learning educational resource. My government is committed,” Mr Powi said.
Telikom CEO, Mr Charles Litau commended the Governor for taking a step in the right direction to invest in the future of young children in the province.
“We will expedite the time to implement and deliver the clean internet service so that our children can have access to quality education. Thank you for having the confidence in Telikom PNG”.
Telikom Foundation has already commenced installation work in Mendi School of Nursing and Mendi High School to provide high speed broadband clean internet solution as part of its commitment to improve and enhance learning. The projects are expected to be completed within two weeks.

Post Courier online
Source: http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20130530/thhome.htm

BSP client wins hi-tech cellphone

BUI Minig is the second recipient of a brand-new Samsung Galaxy S3 in Bank South Pacific’s mobile banking promotion.
He was chosen after successfully topping up his Digicel phone credits via BSP’s mobile banking service.
Minig received the handset yesterday in Port Moresby.
“I use mobile banking to do most of my banking transactions, and top up Digicel mobile phone credits and EasiPay units, saving me valuable time and money … banking is at my fingertips,” Minig said.
“And what’s more, I’m so excited to have a smartphone … thank you, BSP.”
The bank’s campaign aims to encourage customers to use mobile banking, which is cheaper and convenient than going to a branch.
The campaign will give away one Samsung Galaxy smartphone and ten Nokia Ashas mobile phones every week, until July 31.
To be eligible, BSP customers registered for mobile banking simply have to make a successful transaction such as a funds transfer to their own account, a third-party account, Digicel mobile phone top-up or EasiPay credits top up.

The National Daily
Source: http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/50554

Tonga to get high-speed, cheap internet

TONGA will soon enjoy a high-speed internet access at cheaper cost with the arrival of the broadband system in the next two months.
Last Friday, Tonga’s national information and communication technology (ICT) day showcased the arrival of high-speed internet in July under the first phase of the Pacific regional connectivity project backed by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
An 826km underwater fibre optic cable linking Tonga to Fiji to be commissioned in July would help increase broadband internet access and affordability for Tonga’s population of 100,000 people.
“Tonga, which currently has some of the cheapest telephone rates in the world, also charges one the highest internet costs,” Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano said.
“Lower price and more accessible internet would maximise the power and versatility of communications technology, to accelerate development and improve the lives of the Tongan community.
“High speed internet is coming and this promises significant benefits for social and economic development, and new job opportunities for the Tongan people,” World Bank senior ICT policy specialist Natasha Beschorner said.
Hundreds of people attended the event in Nuku’alofa, Tonga’s capital, which highlighted the benefits of cheaper and reliable internet for its people.

Source: The National Daily
Link: http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/50049

Samsung Galaxy S4 handset on sale

SAMSUNG Galaxy S4. the latest in handset technology, is now available at all Digicel stores from today.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 has hit shelves in stores across the globe and Papua New Guinea is among the first countries in the South Pacific to receive the new handset.
Digicel PNG chief executive officer John Mangos said: “We are happy to bring to our customers the newly released Samsung Galaxy S4, which is now available at Digicel outlets.
He said Digicel was  dedicated to delivering the latest technology in PNG so customers could feel assured that they were on par with what was happening in the rest of the world.
With Digicel’s high speed 3G+ network on hand to boost the use of the Samsung Galaxy S4, customers will be better able to do more and experience a whole new world on their S4.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 is the top choice for anyone who is looking for a big-screen, do-everything smartphone.
Some of the S4 features are the 13-megapixel camera, Android 4.2.2, a powerful quad-core processor, and software solutions for just about every scenario, including working as a TV/DVR remote.
It is also comfortable in hand and has a user-replaceable battery and a microSD storage slot.

The National Daily
Source: http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/50128

BSP encourages mobile banking

BANK South Pacific will be giving away one Samsung Galaxy smartphone and 10 Nokia Ashas mobiles away, per week for the next 12 weeks starting May 21 as part of its latest mobile banking campaign.
The campaign which started yesterday aims to encourage customers to use mobile banking, which is cheaper and convenient, instead of visiting a branch.
To be eligible, BSP customers registered for mobile banking simply have to make a successful transaction, such as a funds transfer, to their own account, a 3rd party account, Digicel mobile phone top up or Easipay credits top up.
The first winner of the Samsung Galaxy smartphone and 10 complimentary winners of Nokia Ashas mobiles will be announced on the 21st of May. In total, 12 customers will win a Samsung Galaxy, while 120 customers will win a Nokia Ashes mobile phone.
BSP’s Head of EChannels Bram Peters when announcing this campaign explained that the idea is to continually encourage
customers to use Mobile Banking.
“The use of mobile banking is cheaper, convenient and easy, and its available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Today we have a lot of people coming into branches instead of using these cheaper and convenient services.
“If we get most of our customers out of branches, our branches can be focused on serving our customers better. In our view, 40% of the customers don’t need to come into the branch, and they can utilise mobile banking and other electronic channels,” he explained. He urged BSP customers who are not registered for mobile banking to do so.
“BSP mobile banking is the new smarter way of banking”.
To sign up call BSP customer service centre on 320 1212 or 7030 1212 or email servicebsp@bsp.com.pg

Post Courier Daily
Source: http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20130516/thhome.htm

AROB endorses electronic identification card system

y WINTERFORD TOREAS

THE Autonomous Region of Bougainville is the latest place in the country to endorse the electronic identification card system. Support for the project was expressed last week at a one day workshop, held at the Kuri Village Resort in Buka on Tuesday.
Organised by the National Statistical Office (NSO), the workshop on the national e-ID card – proposed by the O’Neil-Dion government as a priority project – was attended by various organisations including churches, non-governmental organisations, council of elders, council of chiefs, media, government and the general public. It will establish a centralised population database system capable of producing daily, monthly or annual population counts for government policy, planning, monitoring and evaluating developments at all levels of administration.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Bougainville’s acting deputy administrator in-charge of operations, Paul Kebori said this project is destined to bring positive changes in the country.
He explained that implementation of this project was important because “it will help the country to be able to have reliable data that it can use in its planning processes, that it can use to focus its development throughout the country, the provinces, the LLGs. “I must emphasise that the e-ID Card project is the way forward for PNG,” adding that this project will be “very beneficial to PNG”.
Mr Kebori also assured those present that there was no need to be afraid as it’s already been successful in other countries. Some participants had feared this system might somehow go against their Christian principles and beliefs. However, after reassurances and explanations of the positive outcome of the system, they were won over.

Online Daily: Post Courier
Source: http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20130521/tuhome.htm