Thursday, October 29, 2015

Assignment #1: Open The Door To Ecuador

As of now, the country of Ecuador makes most of it's income by exporting natural resources, but they seek to become a digital and knowledge-based economy, which is what could change in the future. ICT, or  the Information Communication Technology has become an increasingly important source of growth for many Latin American countries.

If Ecuador increases their connection to the internet, it will help to further strengthen their economy and educate their population. Since 2008, the government has established over 473 infocentros, which are public spaces that provide computer training and internet access to rural communities. I think that infocentros could be helpful even for places like rural New Brunswick. We may be better off than some people in Ecuador, but a lot of households still can't afford internet access, and not all those who do know a lot about computers and would appreciate a place they could go to to acquire the training.

Yachay is the country's first planned city designed to become a hub for technological research and scientific infrastructure. Yachay University, located in the city, is not the Ecuador's first research technology institute. The University offers degrees in life sciences, information and communications technology, nanoscience,  renewable energy and petro chemistry and others.

I think Ecuador is doing the right thing in trying to become more independent in science and technology, and you can tell by their efforts that they are serious in what they are trying to do. I think it will work for Ecuador and I hope it does. I think New Brunswick is doing okay with the technology we have now. Most people do have internet and are capable of using it, and almost all schools have computer labs and internet access. There are many people who can't afford it though and are uneducated when it comes to computers and digital technology. If we had more infocentros, and followed some of the examples Ecuador is setting, I think it could change New Brunswick's economy for the better.
  

No comments:

Post a Comment