SIDSNET/CPACC
INTERNET TRAINING WORKSHOP
Guyana
Ian King
Information Systems Coordinator/GIS Specialist
20-22 September, 1999
Introduction
The SIDSnet/CPACC Internet Training Workshop was conducted in Georgetown,
Guyana from 20th to 22nd September at Solution 2000, an Internet Service
Provider (ISP). Mr. Andrew Mancey, Network/Information Specialist at
the Sustainable Development Network Programme for Guyana and myself,
conducted the training. I also provided the workshop supervision on
behalf of SIDSnet and CPACC
Attendance (list
attached)
Sixteen persons from twelve government agencies attended the workshop.
Unfortunately, a few of the participants only attended for one or two
days out of the three. The full list of attendance is attached to this
report.
Agenda (attached)
Mr. Mancey and myself amended the agenda of the meeting prior to the
workshop. This was further adjusted based on the pace of the workshop
and the needs of the participants. The final agenda is attached and
reflects the emphasis on Web Page development, which was a priority
for the participants.
Costs
The local costs of the workshop were US $600 for the venue and US $300
for materials and supplies. The latter includes printing, copying and
refreshments. Solutions 2000 has submitted an invoice for these costs
which has been sent to the Chief Hydromet Officer as the local focal
point. Upon written approval from CPACC, the Chief Hydromet Officer
will submit the invoice to the local UNDP office.
Workshop Review
The week prior to the workshop, I was in Trinidad attending another
CPACC activity and was only able to maintain contact with the situation
in Guyana through email. On arrival in Barbados with one working day
prior to the workshop, I had to address the situation of the UNDP authorisations
for the travel to the St. Lucia and Guyana workshops. As a result of
the situations described, I was not able to undertake any detailed communication
with the key personnel in Guyana prior to the workshop.
Compounding this, the local
focal point representative dealing with the workshop was out of office
for the entire week and no arrangements were put in place by that agency
regarding the preparations. As a result, there was confusion over responsibilities
regarding finalising arrangements between Mr. Mancey and the Hydromet
Service, the local focal point. As a result, Solutions 2000 were uncertain
of the workshop. The company proved to be capable of responding to our
needs, including meeting needs for printing and copying as well as arranging
refreshment breaks.
Solutions 2000 also had the
necessary technical and administrative personnel in place to meet requirements
and address challenges as these developed.
Most of the participants were
had limited experience with any aspect of the Internet. One or two were
casual users and a few had no prior direct experience before the workshop.
The majority had no knowledge of SIDSnet with only one person having
heard of this initiative before.
Generally, the workshop appeared
productive as the participants' responses on the questionnaires indicate.
The workshop assisted in de-mystifying the Internet, helped participants
how to use key elements of the Internet, including email and browsing,
and also provided basic skills in web page development. Important web
resources were also introduced, including the web sites of SIDSnet,
SDNP and CPACC, as well as searching facilities. Printed material and
references were also circulated to participants for further
information. This proved useful along with the SIDSnet CD ROM, particularly
given the need to focus the workshop on fewer topics given the needs
and experience of the participants.
Conclusions
Like the workshop in St. Vincent, the Guyana workshop proved to be successful
due to the interest of the participants and the commitment of the trainers.
It is also clear that the supervision provided by having a CPACC representative
in attendance is necessary for addressing problems as these occur. This
last point s made as the responsibility for the workshop is seen to
reside with CPACC and SIDSnet, and as a result, there is a reluctance
to take any decisions, particularly relating to
Workshop Participants:
Muriel Tinnis, Ministry of Trade, Tourism & Industry; Dawn Maison,
Ministry of Fisheries, Crops & Livestock; Joylyn Jafferally, Hydromet
Service, Ministry of Agriculture; Sherry Ramjohn, Hydromet Service,
Ministry of Agriculture; Kemp Simon, Hydromet Service, Ministry of Agriculture;
Deborah A. Montouth, Ministry of Housing & Water; Michelle Daniels,
Georgetown Sewage & Water; Omadat Persaud, Guyana Sea Defence PEU,
Ministry of Public Works; Susy M. Lewis, Guyana Natural Resources Agency;
K. Umadat, Ministry of Health; Mahendra Sharma, Guyana Energy Agency;
Linden Hinds, Transport & Harbours Dept.; Sharon Alexander, Ministry
of Trade, Tourism & Industry; Vera Adams, Lands & Surveys, Ministry
of Agriculture; Malcolm Williams, Guyana Water Authority; Jormonica
Walcott, Ministry of Trade, Tourism & Industry; Andrew Mancey, SDNP/UNDP
Guyana; and Ian King, CPACC.
Agenda
|
Day
1
|
| 9.00am
to 10.30am |
Introductions
- Welcome:
Mr. Andrew Mancey, Network/Information Specialist, Guyana SDNP)
- Workshop Introduction, Objectives and Background:
Mr. Ian King, CPACC Information Systems Coordinator
- Participants Introduction and Objectives:
- Workshop Structure:
Mr. Ian King
- SIDSnet, SDNP and CPACC Overview:
Mr. Ian King and Mr. Andrew Mancey |
| 10.30am
– 10.45am |
Break |
| 10.35am
– 12.20pm |
Internet
Discussion
-
Internet History and Overview (revised CEPNET presentation):
Mr. Ian King & Mr. Andrew Mancey
- Internet
and Developing Countries (including SIDS):
Mr. Ian King |
| 12.20pm
– 1.40pm |
Lunch |
| 1.40pm
– 3.00 pm |
Web
Browsing
- SIDSnet Site and CD ROM Overview:
Mr. Ian King
- Browser Introduction:
Mr. Andrew Mancey |
| 3.00pm
– 3.15 pm |
Break |
3.15pm
– 4.15pm
Back to top |
Web Browsing continued
- CD ROM
Practical Exercises
- Browsing
WWW
|
|
Day
2
|
| 8.30am
– 10.00am |
E-mail
- E-mail Introduction
Mr. Ian King
- Web-based Email
Mr. Ian King
- Practical Exercise |
| 10.00am
– 10.15am |
Break |
| 10.15am
– 12.00pm |
HTML
-HTML Introduction
Mr. Andrew Mancey
-HTML Tools - Frontpage
Mr. Andrew Mancey
- Practical Exercise
|
| 12.00pm
– 1.30pm |
Lunch |
| 1.30pm
– 3.00pm |
HTML
Continued
- Practical Exercise |
| 3.00pm
– 3.15pm |
Break |
3.15pm
– 4.15pm
Back to top |
HTML Continued
-Practical Exercise
|
|
Day
3
|
| 8.30am
– 10.00am |
HTML
Continued
-Practical Exercise
|
| 10.00am
– 10.15am |
Break |
| 10.15am
– 12.00 pm |
Website Design and
Internet Based Applications
Website Design and Office Integration
Mr. Andrew Mancey
Search Demo and Exercise
Mr. Andrew Mancey & Mr. Ian King
|
| 12.00pm
– 1.30pm |
Lunch |
| 1.30
pm – 3.00pm |
Advanced Internet Facilities
and Wrap-up
Telemedicine/Domain Names
Mr. Andrew Mancey & Mr. Ian King
- Presentation by Local ISP
Mr. Edwin Workman, Managing Director, Solutions 2000
- General Discussion
- Questionnaires
- Closing
|
www.sidsnet.org
