DIGITAL MAKER PROGRAMME
The National Computer Board (NCB) operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation has been mandated to roll out Digital Maker Programme (DMP).
DMP is a learning-based approach using block based programming & programmable devices for initiating youngsters into robotics & programming, organizing bootcamps & hackathons and running digital civic centers in different localities. NCB intends to reach out 2,000 citizens for the financial year 2022-2023 under three (3) distinct parts namely:
- PART 1: TRAINING IN PROGRAMMABLE DEVICES AND SENSORS
- PART 2: DIGITAL CIVIC CENTER
- PART 3: BOOTCAMPS & HACKATHON
PART 1: TRAINING IN PROGRAMMABLE DEVICES AND SENSORS
About training in Programmable devices & Sensors:
In the budget speech 2022-2023, the Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology has highlighted the following key challengers:
“Low uptake of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects at upper secondary education level leading to low enrolment in these fields both at the technical and tertiary education levels.’’
“Re-engineering technical education to boost interest in technical and technology education to meet the skills needs of the economy.”
In line with strategic directions of the government, to address the above key challengers, the NCB has roll out PART 1 DMP in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology to attract youngsters towards STEM subjects. This initiative shall cover the following objectives:.
- To create an interest among students at upper secondary education level in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects in a stir to increase enrolment in these fields at the technical secondary education levels.
- To re-engineer technical education and to boost interest in technical and technology education.
- To nurture a new generation of digital natives with a passion to create with technology and grow a community of digital creators who are passionate in embracing a culture of innovation and co-creation to solve real-world problems.
This initiative consists of empowering youngsters in programmable devices & sensors through hands-on practical sessions. NCB, through three (3) train-the-trainer programme has empowered 30 secondary educators. These educators will each train a group of 20 students over 16-hour trainings either in (i) Introductory course in Groove Inventor BBC Microbits or (ii) Basics of Arduino & Sensors. Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology is a major partner for this programme. NCB intends to reach out 600 secondary students in Mauritius through this initiative.
Train-the-Trainer (TOT) Workshops:
Gearing up DMP Part 1 through Train the Trainer workshop organised on 27 July 2022, 03 August 2022 and 10 August 2022.
Learning Materials:
The NCB has come up with elaborative course content for upper secondary students for an initiation in programmable devices & sensors. The assistance of technical trainers through hands-on training sessions is also available during weekends & school holidays. Students are taught how to program /code these devices and mount small projects. Coding is now considered as a basic skill to be acquired by all students to prepare them for the modern technological era.
Introduction to Groove Inventor BBC Micro: bits
BBC micro: bit is a pocket-sized computer that introduces you to how software and hardware work together. It has an LED light display, buttons, sensors and many input/output features that, when programmed; let it interact with you and your world.
Basic of Arduino & Sensors
Arduino is an open-source platform used for building electronics projects. Arduino consists of both a physical and programmable circuit board and a piece of software that runs on the computer, used to write and upload computer code to the physical board.
PART 2: DIGITAL CIVIC CENTRE
About Digital Civic Center:
Digital Civic Center consists of collaborating with local authorities to roll out mobile centers in Mauritius to rotate over 5 regions every 2 months. This initiative will help regional residents & local businesses within a local authority to learn, experience and adopt services related to technology, through a process of place-based innovation. NCB will also assist in the design, development and evaluation of local solutions for local businesses. NCB intends to reach out 500 individuals & small businesses through this initiative.
In the budget speech 2022-2023, Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation have highlighted the following key challengers:
“Low level of digital maturity of the population and local businesses leading to differing rates of technology adoption and resistance to change.”
"Low uptake of existing Government e-services by the population"
In line with strategic directions of the government, to address the above key challengers, NCB will roll out Part 2 DMP through the setting up of Mobile Digital Civic Centers in Mauritius.
This initiative shall cover the following objectives:
- To be a one-stop venue for information related to technologies.
- To uptake digital maturity of the population and local businesses leading to increase the rates of technology adoption and combat resistance to change.
- To uptake awareness and adoption of Government e-services by the population.
The project is conceived in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management under Local Authorities.
Digital Civic Center projected locations & dates are as follows:
- Sep & Oct 2022 Flacq District Council
- Nov & Dec 2022 Pamplemousses District
- Jan & Feb 2023 Moka District Council
- March & April 2023 Grand Port District Council
- May & June 2023 Rivere du Rempart District Council
Project Outline :
Technology has the potential to enrich and transform our lives dramatically, from the way we connect with each other through social media platforms, to the ability to make cashless payment. As Mauritius progresses on our Smart Nation journey, we must ensure that everyone is digital ready.
Digital Civic Centers will target each locality within a district. An NCB officer will provide users with valuable learning opportunities and one-on-one assistance in using their mobile devices such as smartphone & tablet and laptop. The service of the resource person will also attend queries usually about mobile phone settings (e.g. changing colour, font size, managing storage, technical issues), and usage of lifestyle apps.
At the civic center, participants can find out how to connect to Wi-Fi hotspots, personalize accessibility tools on their devices, and adjust their phone settings and functions to best suit their needs. Participants can also find out more about applications and transactions relevant to their lifestyles such as mobile payments, thereby availing themselves to many more options and enjoying the efficiency and security that come with such options. The centers will cater to users of both iOS and Android devices. Operational hours of Digital Civic Center will be Monday to Friday from 09 00 to 16 00 hrs and Saturday from 09 00 to 12 00 hrs.
PART 3: BOOTCAMPS & HACKATHONS
About Bootcamps & Hackathon:
NCB projects to organise 5 Bootcamps on Robotics and Programming. Secondary students of Grade 9 using the new LEGO BOOST Creative Toolbox and & 1 Hackathon based on Open Data.
This initiative is a continuity of the girls edition (#GirlsinICT Day 2022) organised from 18 April - 29 April 2022. In April 2022, the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation and the National Computer Board in collaboration of the Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology has organised the following activities:
Four (4) bootcamps over 2 days to introduce participants to block coding, programmable devices, robotics and 3D printing through hands-on exercises as follows:
- 18 & 19 April 2022 - Zone 1 (Port Louis & North) at Droopnath Ramphul State College
- 21 & 22 April 2022 - Zone 2 (Beau Bassin/Rose-Hill & East) at Rajcoomar Gujadhur State Secondary School
- 25 & 26 April 2022 - Zone 3 (Curepipe & South) at Dunputh Lallah State Secondary School
- 28 & 29 April 2022 - Zone 4 (Vacoas/Phoenix & West) at Dr Maurice Curé State College
A total of 145 girls within 36 schools in the 4 zones participated and all the participants received a Certificate of Participation. A competition was also organised at the end of each bootcamp and were assessed by juries which was comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation and the Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology as well as the National Computer Board.
The winners per zone are as follows:
| Zone | Name of winning school |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pamplemousses SSS |
| 2 | QEC SSS |
| 3 | Sookdeo Bissoondoyal SSS |
| 4 | Sodnac SSS |
An award ceremony was organised on 21st July 2022. The event was a success. Girls in ICT bootcamp have been widely appreciated by the participants as well as the secondary schools rectors. Feedback about the programme is submerged with messages to re-organise same next holidays. All the participants have given their very best and have battled through complex block-based codes to win the competition. The girls were very happy and participated actively in the workshops and showed much interest in the technologies which were showcased to them. The girls asked many questions about the technologies presented as well as careers and studies in ICT. At the end of each bootcamps, most girls expressed the wish to pursue further studies in ICT.
NCB will further collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology for the successful implementation of five (5) bootcamps as follows:
- Bootcamp - Zone 1 (Port Louis & North): 16 & 17 November 2022
- Bootcamp - Zone 2 (Beau Bassin/Rose-Hill & East): 21 & 22 November 2022
- Bootcamp - Zone 3 (Curepipe & South): 24 & 25 November 2022
- Bootcamp - Zone 4 (Vacoas/Phoenix & West): 29 & 30 November 2022
- Bootcamp - Zone 5 (Rodrigues): February 2023
NCB intends to reach out 250 students in Mauritius and 650 students in Rodrigues through this initiative.