Stories from Solomon Islands as told through a collection of short videos from Women in IT Solomon Islands (WITSI), Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and Pacifiki HR was well received at the Australian Web Adaptability Initiative (OZeWAI) online conference.
The Australian Accessibility Conference is the annual conference of the OzeWAI members.
This year due to the COVID19 restrictive measures, the conference was held online from 9-11 December.
And through the support of the Australian Government, the Australian High Commission in Honiara and the OZeWAI organisers and its partners, Solomon Islands was able to successfully participate in the conference.
Participants shared their experience regarding the importance of the Internet, the role it plays in our society today and the government and telecommunication projects being rolled out.
Now with the implementation of the Coral Sea Cable, access to the internet has come faster, there is less disruptive connectivity and more stable VOIP and video calls and conferences.
Some of the benefits of the Internet as mentioned by the participants include:
- businesses being able to access markets beyond their physical boundaries and their online presence is more accessible due to lower costs,
- students and researchers gain access to resources and information online,
- individuals and families continue to stay in touch with communities and current affairs
- communities of experts are able to further their reach and maintain their growing presence online.
Alice AOTE'E, WITSI
“The Coral Sea Cable has actually increased, internet traffic. So, before the cable, we weren't able to do online conferences or take part in online courses. But with the Coral Sea Cable that has enabled us to participate in online conferences, online trainings, and also have online meetings. Now that meetings can go without a hitch, it is actually benefiting WITSI a lot. “
Juliet HORIHAU, SINU
“ From where I work I believe that because we're trying to encourage distance flexible learning and maybe if we have faster connectivity there, it would help everyone to access their materials online quicker. Currently, most of our learning resources are still like old school. So it would be good if we could improve technology by using eLearning platform and making sure everyone can access that. “
Edgar POLLARD, Pacifiki HR
"I see a modern Solomon Islands as a country that is keeping pace with the rest of the world through innovation, through business, ideas, products, training, information, knowledge sharing. I feel, in a way, we are left behind, the rest of the world is galloping along but we are sort of stuck. And this Coral Sea cable will be an important factor in helping us become unstuck and to participate at a global level."
Christina KUPER-WINI, WITSI
“In the expanding and digitally inclusive world, Solomon Islands could take a responsible approach to maintaining access to the internet, access to resources online and access to the global community.”
We thank the Government of Australia, the Australian High Commission in Honiara, the OZeWAI organisers and their partners for the opportunity to participate and share stories from Solomon Islands in this online conference.
https://www.ozewai.org/virtual-conference/stories-from-the-solomon-isla…