The Barbados Police Service (TBPS), the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), and other emergency services are about to receive technological upgrades to enhance their service delivery.
Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology (MIST), Marsha Caddle, made the disclosure this morning at the opening of MIST’s Science and Technology Summer Camp at The St. Michael School, Martindale’s Road, St. Michael.
She noted that the ministry was investing in a number of initiatives, including an e-911 system. One of the major projects which has the financial backing of the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), she explained, was bringing The Barbados Police Service into the 21st century when it comes to engaging with the community and solving crimes.
“But there are ways we are working with TBPS to modernise how they work to free-up a lot of their own capacity to make sure we are not using police capacity or resources to do things that technology can help us solve. We are investing considerable resources with the support of the IDB to modernise policing that will range from the use of tablets in the field and uploading the information directly, to how we equip police vehicles with the kinds of equipment that will allow us to gather information right there on the spot to deploy information to different places around the island, and make sure those within the service know what is happening and know how they need to respond,” Ms. Caddle said.
She stated there would also be technological improvements through the e-911 system, which will incorporate technology into how those working in The Barbados Police Service, the Barbados Fire, and Emergency Ambulance Service respond to emergencies.
“A big part of the modernisation is also the QEH. There will be a Health Management Information System that will not just deal with the [hospital] but also polyclinics and private care as well, so that we can securely allow you to have access to your data and allow other healthcare providers to quickly respond. This will improve things, like how quickly people get test results.
“I’m giving these examples to the campers, counsellors, and parents because I want us to understand that there is no limit to where technology can take us. The purpose of this camp is to open our imagination to creation and problem-solving and that is indeed the basis for education transformation, to enhance the culture of curiosity,” Minister Caddle underscored.
She added that MIST plans to work with The University of the West Indies to examine the curriculum with the hope of creating an Artificial Intelligence sector.
Ms. Caddle also pointed out the importance of education transformation in curricula strengthening and development. She said it was not about just passing exams, like the Barbados Secondary Schools Entrance Examination, but it was about renewing the education system to teach children to create.
She stated that part of education transformation included partnerships with parents, since teachers could not do it alone, adding she was “touched” by the number of parents who turned up for the opening of the camp to show their support.
Approximately 120 students are attending the Science and Technology Camp, which runs from July 22 to August 23, under then theme “An Exciting Adventure with STEM”.