MERGING TECHNOLOGY WITH AGRICULTURE FOR ENHANCED LEARNING

Principal Ms. Yum Young (far right) stands with some of the students from Tunapuna Girls .

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 07, 2023: PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO- In December 2022, the Digicel Foundation engaged media personnel to submit applications for a TT$20,000 Media Transformation Grant. Agri Journalist and Creator of Tech4Agri 360, Keron Bascombe was one of five who received the grant. He used it to purchase and distribute 90 VR headsets with a three month subscription of Tech4Agri content to the following beneficiaries: Tunapuna Boys RC, Tunapuna Girls, St. David’s, St Mary’s Children’s Home, St. Benedict’s- Curepe, Fatima Primary School and The Helping Children Grow Foundation.

(L-R) Digicel Foundation Operations Manager- Cindyann Currency, Giselle Burton at St Mary’s Children’s Home, Keron Bascombe -Creator Tech4Agri 360 and Deston Pope -Operations Support Tech4Agri display some of the devices.

Tech4Agri is an immersive media series that provides an experience for students to learn about Agriculture and other interested fields using virtual reality and 360 content. Keron Bascombe shared, “Using media, journalism and communication to support learning provides a unique learning experience especially when paired with technology.” He added, “At Tech4Agri, this is a milestone accomplishment and as digital stewards we are intervening for the sake of youth who need exposure to new age technology.”

These youngs boys from Tunapuna RC were very excited to receive their VR headsets.

Digicel Foundation Operations Manager, Cindyann Currency was also present during the distribution of devices. She said, “Partnering with the Tech4Agri has been quite a unique experience.” She explained that seeing the explosive expressions of the children while interacting with the headset and the questions that followed in the lesson is exactly the kind of enthusiasm that learning should foster.

This young lady uses one of the affordable VR headsets to have an immersive experience.

The Digicel Foundation invested TT$100,000 in the Media Transformation Grant.  The grant initiative was done in commemoration of the Foundation’s 10 year anniversary.  Over 70 Journalists and Social Media influencers responded to the call for application to implement a social change initiative in a community of their choice. 

Tech4Agri Creator- Keron Bascombe (right) hands over one of the devices to a young student at St. Benedict’s.

ENDS

About Digicel

As a Digital Operator, Digicel is in the business of delivering powerful digital experiences 1440 minutes of each day to customers – that’s every minute, all day, every day.

Through its world-class LTE and fibre networks, together with its suite of eight apps spanning sports (SportsMax), music (D’Music), news (Loop), local radio and podcasts (GoLoud), TV streaming, (PlayGo) enhanced messaging and marketplaces (BiP), cloud storage (Billo) and self-care (MyDigicel app), Digicel is the only operator in its markets that can deliver the complete digital experience.

Serving consumer and business customers in 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America, and Pacific with investments of over US$7 billion and a commitment to communities in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, and Trinidad & Tobago, the Digicel Foundation has contributed to positive outcomes for over three million people to date.

With its Better Together brand, Digicel is promising “simply more” to its customers and communities as the company’s 7,000 employees worldwide work together to make this pledge a powerful reality day in, day out.

For more, visit www.digicelgroup.com