Above: Digicel: Abraham Smith, CEO of Digicel Trinidad and Tobago and Board Director of the Digicel Foundation, chats with a young pannist at the launch of the Technology in Education Centre at Pandemonium Panyard. Photo courtesy Digicel Foundation.
The Digicel Foundation launched the third year of its Technology in Education (TIE) programme on July 04. This year’s initiative returns in partnership with PanTrinbago, focusing on integrating technology into traditional steelpan yards to foster community engagement, preserve cultural traditions, and provide development opportunities.
“The Digicel Foundation is thrilled to partner with PanTrinbago for a second year, and we invite all registered Steelbands to apply for a technology centre at their panyard,” said Diana Mathura-Hobson, Digicel Foundation’s Project Officer.
“The TIE Centre ‘panyard model’ underscores our commitment to enhancing technological access and skills-building opportunities in underserved communities. Following two very successful years, we have seen how this programme not only supports local talent but can also contribute to the cultural and educational development of Trinidad and Tobago.”
The TIE programme was born in 2022 when the Digicel Foundation launched a digital transformation mission to support youth, vulnerable women and underserved communities, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology to arm the next generation of the Digital Age, these centres serve as hubs for education, digital literacy and vocational training – empowering members of marginalised communities with essential skills for the future.
To date, the Digicel Foundation has invested over TT$730,000 towards establishing 12 TIE centres, with 9 of these centres integrated into existing panyards across the nation such as the Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra, the Trinidad All-Stars Steel Orchestra and the Tropical Angel Harps Steel Orchestra.
With a dedicated budget of TT$540,000 for 2024, the Digicel Foundation will establish eight new TIE Centres at panyards this year. For more information or to submit an application, click here.
