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Thank you, ADOC at Unitech

My name is Miriam Suma. My husband and I live in Morobe, Papua New Guinea. I am a nurse and my husband is a head teacher at the Taraka Primary School.

I have been trained as a nurse since 1975. To assist the doctors to examine Tuberculosis (TB), I also received training in using microscope. Therefore, I am a nurse and also a TB Microscopicist Specialist at the Angua Memorial Hospital. Part of my job responsibilities is to prepare reports with statistical results. But I did not know how to prepare a report electronically. It made my work harder because I could not keep the files and documents electronically. I thought that I was too old to learn how to use an advanced technology, such as a computer, or study an advanced degree. It was possible that I would live without using computers in the rest of my life.

One evening, my husband went home after work. As the head teacher at the Taraka Primary School, he was planning a one-week basic computer training course in the ADOC at Unitech for his teachers. My husband has knowledge and basic skills in computers. He asked me if I could be his substitute in the upcoming training course. I was so excited and willing to attend the course because it would be an opportunity to learn something new about computers!

On the first day of the course, everything was new to me. It was hard because we were learning the parts and the functions within a computer. Frankly speaking, the functions were complicated to me. But my instructor was nice and made me feel comfortable to use the machine.

In the one-week course, I have learnt the basic knowledge about a computer – the windows, the fundamentals of a desktop, the programs running in the computer, the files and folders, MS Word, how to insert pictures when I am editing a document, … etc.  And I learnt how to use MS Excel to prepare for my statistical reports!!

I am thankful for having the opportunity to be trained in the APEC Digital Opportunity Center. I especially thanks to my husband, the head teacher at the Taraka Primary School, and those teachers who make the basic computer training course happened in the ADOC at Unitech. In the near future, I believe that I am able to manage my official documents well.

Now, after taking the course in ADOC, I am considering to purchasing computers for myself, my family and my work.

Thank you very much, APEC Digital Opportunity Center.

Softlink upgrades library

By Mary Destiny Tulasoi

THE Papua New Guinea Institute of Public Administration (PNGIPA) – School of Government Library, has gone a step further with the installation of a Library Management System, Liberty version 5 (v5) that manages a diverse range of collections in an efficient and cost effective manner.
The Software, Liberty v5, is a product by Softlink, a leading global provider of Integrated Library Management Software solutions (ILMS) for a wide range of sectors including: Schools, Specials, Academic and Public libraries. Designed by librarians for libraries, Softlink offers tailored, web-based solutions, that have assisted more than 10, 000 libraries, across 108 nations to achieve their individual goals.
PNGIPA, under the Management of its Acting Director Mr Yala Yatu, has engaged two (2) Softlink consultants, who were recently in the country to set-up and install the software for the PNGIPA library, at the same time conducting two weeks software (Liberty v5) hands-on training for its (PNGIPA) librarians, from the 13th – 25th August, 2012.
Softlink consultant, who is a librarian by profession, Lyn Walker said that Liberty v5 is user friendly – a solution developed for Special Libraries that suits the needs of a wide diversity of users and is capable of managing the most unique collections.
“Once the software is up and running, it will give the PNGIPA Library more prestige. The PNGIPA Liberty system (s) will in the near future, go on the web for the world to see,” she said.
Librarian with the PNGIPA library, Mr Eric Nandoma said that he finds the system (Liberty v5) very simple and easy to use, and thus provides consistency with circulation, cataloguing, and database keeping. We, the librarians, only need to familiarize ourselves with getting to know and using the system.
Other Softlink Liberty users in PNG include: UPNG Medical Faculty Library, University of Goroka Library, Bank of PNG Library, National Research Institute, Divine Word University Wewak campus, and PNG Forest Authority, to name a few.
Softlink was established in Brisbane, Australia in 1983.

Source: Post Courier Online 
                http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120830/thhome.htm

Modern technology and its effect in PNG

Concerned stakeholders gathered at the Institute of Public Administration Hall
on the 14th and 15th May to look at the advantages and disadvantages of modern technology and find ways to address this important issue. Presence was the church representatives, Censorship Office [host], CHM and Pacific Gold Studios, Labor, Customs, IPA/IPO, Education, Justice and others. Organized by the Censorship Office, the consultation workshop came about from the concern of this office about it not being able to control the random streaming of  harmful material through modern technology, especially through satellite, internet and gadgets like the mobile telephone with features that enable owners to key directly into websites to download porno, uncensored music and video and other harmful material. The main concern of churches was the random allowance by parents for their children under the age of 18 to have excess to these. Apart from the censorship of illicit material, the music industry was also at stake through music piracy. As artists’ works were also downloaded onto flash drives, mp3, ipods, mobile phones and SD cards for free consumption and file sharing. This has deprived musicians of their right to royalty earnings throughout the nation. With no proper awareness and monitoring in place to combat piracy, aliens are being allowed to continue this practice, virtually making everybody feel it is a community norm to do so. An incident in Rabaul concerning highly respected citizen Sir Ronald Tovue and Garden Enterprises staff Joey is a good example of the disrespect of citizens and the laws of the country.

Source: http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120620/wehome.htm

NMB drives mobile phone banking

MORE than a billion people in developing countries have mobile phones but no bank accounts.
Likewise in Papua New Guinea access to financial services is reserved for the fortunate few. Whilst Asian Development Bank (ADB) has estimated up to 85 per cent of Papua New Guineans do not have bank accounts, there are those financial service providers who now are beginning to fill that gap, through the use of a mobile phone.
To date, there have been up to 100 mobile money deployments in emerging markets and one of those deployments is being driven in PNG by Nationwide Microbank (NMB).
NMB has introduced MiCash to ordinary Papua New Guineans. MiCash is both a Mobile Wallet and a Bank Account.
Unlike many other mobile money deployments, NMB is not focused on person to person domestic transfers, although this is a function that MiCash performs; rather NMB is focused on providing a banking product which can be used in the village or on the plantation, in remote districts, almost anywhere there is access to the Digicel network, to perform banking services.
NMB is growing a network of MiCash Agents throughout PNG. This means that not only can MiCash customers perform deposits (cash in) or withdrawals (cash out) at any one of NMB’s twelve branches around PNG, but MiCash customers can also undertake these same types of transactions through an Agent network.
MiCash customers can obtain a bank account balance at any time day or night on their mobile phone. MiCash customers can have their salary directed to their MiCash account, in the same way their salary is currently put in the bank. The MiCash account is a Bank Account that instead of being accessed by a Card, is accessed through your mobile phone. Just like a card account from a commercial bank, the MiCash account is accessed using a PIN number. Customers are asked not to disclose their PIN number to anyone. With my MiCash accounts you can still perform Digicel airtime top up or transfer air time top up to other people. And yes you can transfer funds to other MiCash accounts.
Trudi Egi, Head of Sales & Service, and Gima Kepi, Manager Women’s Banking, have been leading MiCash promotions in Central Province recently. MiCash is a product ideally suited to the grassroots people.
It suits people from villages, those in the informal sector and those without permanent employment. The account attracts no fees on deposits; there is no monthly service charge, although there are affordable charges on other transactions.
Mr Egi, Mrs Kepi and the NMB team opened accounts on the spot in villages using the technology of the mobile telephone network. No more travelling to town to open a bank account or get on a PMV. NMB will come to your village or you can visit your nearest MiCash Account Opening Agent.
“We believe that MiCash will assist our mission in banking the un-banked,” said Trudi Egi “Don’t forget the women,” Mrs Kepi said, “this product truly provides confidentiality and independence for women”.

Post Courier Online

Source: http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120608/frhome.htm

 

Software to track traffic

By CARMEL PILOTTI

The National Road Safety Council recently held a joint workshop in Port Moresby with the Traffic Police on the use of a Road Accident Database Software program adopted from the UK.
The workshop will also extend to the Mamose region and later on to the Highlands and NGI.
The software is called Microcomputer Accident Analysis Package (MAAP).
MAAP will be used to record all road accident data and this data will be used for various reports and plans to improve the safety of the roads in the country.
Executive Director of NRSC Nelson Terema told the Post-Courier that the software will be very helpful in providing important information that can make a difference.
He said that many things will be considered when data is collected such as awareness to the communities.
‘If drink driving is becoming a big problem then we will go into the communities and talk to the people about it’, Terema said.
He also said that with this data, improvement of roads where accidents are frequent can be considered by the responsible bodies such as the Department of Works, and can even contribute to government plans.
The director said the traffic police will collect all data and input it into the system at the main Police Headquarters.
Mr Terema also issued a caution to all drivers saying, ‘with the
current traffic situation and the weather, drive carefully because many of the roads have been damaged and in the wet weather they are hazardous’.

http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120402/mohome.htm

News from Post Courier Online

Meeting of two cultures

Asaro mudman using pc

The Assaro mudmen are known all over the world but for many of these characters, their knowledge of the world and technology is limited. So when they met up with a group of tourists recently in their village in Eastern Highlands, they were introduced to a laptop by one of the visitors. And the curious mudmen were at the computer, trying to figure out its workings.

Picture courtesy of CASPER GUIDE SERVICES.

Source: http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20110718/mohome.htm