Digicel urges young smartphone users to film and win cool prizes
11th Annual World Telecommunication and Information Society Day Video Competition launched in Jamaica
DIGICEL HAS launched an exciting learning and earning opportunity for Jamaicans from ages 12 to 18 years to win a trip to the Dominican Republic this summer, plus US$1,000 and a tablet, via the 11th Annual World Telecommunication and Information Society Day Video Competition. Using a smartphone or video camera, each participant will create a threeminute video under the theme: ‘Technology and Me – Exploring the possibilities of ICT’.
Students are encouraged to use their creativity to show how they can use information and communication technology (ICT) to come up with a new product or service, or to solve an existing problem facing society. The annual competition is open to young persons throughout the Caribbean, and Digicel Jamaica’s head of public relations, Elon Parkinson, thinks there’s a good chance this year’s winner could come from Jamaica.
“Looking at how we have used technology to come up with creative ideas that make life safer and a little more fun, we expect Jamaica’s youth to get creative and think up something new, exciting and innovative. So, stretch the boundaries of your imagination. Be bold. Be different. But, most of all, do your research and come up with an idea that could go viral,” Parkinson stated.
He noted, “All that’s required right now is an idea. So, we want participants to think carefully about what they will submit and how they will present it in eyecatching video no longer than three minutes. Use as many graphics, demos, role play and sound effects to bring your idea to life.”
Besides showing how technology can reshape the way we do things, Digicel considers the competition an important learning exercise for students with an ambition to take up jobs in the field of ICT.
The competition is being promoted locally by Digicel, a member of the regional telecommunications lobby group, CANTO, responsible for leading regional activities to commemorate World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.
The competition will be staged throughout the region among active member countries of CANTO. Entries are to be sent via WeTransfer or a private YouTube link to tbalthazar@canto.org or gedwards@canto.org
Entries received on or before May 1, 2017, will be forwarded to a panel of experts in the field of telecommunications and education, to be judged on creativity, originality, message content and technical organisation. All finalists will be given an opportunity to gain up to 10 per cent of their final score from social media votes (Facebook).
Winning videos will be posted on CANTO’s website by Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Participants are encouraged to visit http://www.canto.org/competitions/wtisd-videocompetition/registration-and-submission-2/ for more information.
The top three videos (in order of points) will be selected and awarded the following prizes:
First place:
Trip for two to attend CANTO 2017 in the Dominican Republic
Hotel accommodation (double occupancy) US$1,000 spending money A tablet
Second place: Tablet, plus US$500 Third place: Smartphone, plus US$250.