Press Office

We feature Ranil Wallace one of our 2020 Calico Challenge participants.

My name is Ranil Wallace, a 19 year old student of the University of Technology, Jamaica majoring in Computer Science. I am currently a member of UTech Sapna, a student organization originating from the University of Technology, Jamaica made up of student developers and aspiring developers. While being a member of UTech Sapna, I worked on the revamped UTech Jamaica Mobile app where I developed for the iOS variant, in addition to various internal enterprise tools used by the Government of Jamaica and the University of Technology, Jamaica.

This year, 2020, is my second time volunteering for the Palisadoes Foundation, with my first time being in Summer of 2019. Currently, my task is being a Backend Developer for the Talawa project, under the Calico Challenge.

While growing up, I have developed a variety of skills. For one, I am an excellent problem solver. I have extensive experience in HTML, CSS and Javascript along with frameworks such as Node.js and React-Native. For me, coding has been the best thing I have ever come across. I love that I can change the world by just creating software.

We feature Cargill Seiveright one of our 2020 Calico Challenge participants.

Hi there, I’m Cargill Seiveright. Currently, I’m a 2nd year Computer Science student at the University of the West Indies. I’m also pursuing to attain a minor in Japanese.

I was accepted for the Calico Challenge on March 2020. I’m really grateful and look forward to significantly benefit the Pattoo Project to help make it steps closer in becoming a wide scale IoT data collection system in Jamaica. I would also benefit from the hands-on development on the system using various skills and knowledge I have learned from school, self-learning, assigned mentors and collaboration with fellow participants.

I love spending my free time learning from watching videos, documentaries and reading short articles on various fields like science, nature, languages learning, philosophy, cultures, psychology and technology. For specialization, I have not decided as yet but it would fall somewhere from being a software developer to engaging in fields like Computational Biology. I still do have an affinity for biology since high school and I would love to be a pioneer in using the knowledge from Computer Science and apply it to Biology to bring amazing and endless possibilities to human life, especially in the realm of Immunology. Also, I enjoy having fun by exploring nature outside, laughing and going to new places with friends and generally making sure I get awesome memorable moments in life.

We feature Jason Gayle one of our 2020 Calico Challenge participants.

I’m Jason Gayle, a proud alumnus of St. Catherine high and a first-year student enrolled at the University of the West Indies (UWI) pursuing a BSc in Computer Science with a minor in statistics.

I was accepted into the Calico challenge in May. 2020, and so far, it has been a major stepping stone for me in my journey as a developer, as it has allowed me to improve my skills at an astonishing rate. Currently, I am working on the Pattoo project and I aim to make significant contributions in improving the overall security and usability of Pattoo throughout the Calico Challenge.

I’m mainly interested in AI development and cybersecurity, and the Calico challenge has been a major step for me in getting closer to this goal. Moreover, in the long run, I hope to work in the field of Computational Neuroscience in hopes of fully mapping the structure of the brain. However, at the moment I have been mainly exploring server-side programming with Flask and file manipulation on Linux for Pattoo.

Finally, outside of programming, I tend to spend most of my free time practicing playing the guitar and working on my photography skills.

Today we feature Deandrew Moore one of our 2020 Calico Challenge participants.

Hey there, I am Deandrew Moore, a first-generation college student pursuing a BSc. in Computer Science at The University of the West Indies, Mona. I am also a proud past student of the deCarteret College High School in Mandeville, Manchester.

I became familiar with the Palisadoes Foundation programme, Calico in first year. I applied but wasn’t accepted. This time however I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the programme and contributing to Jamaica’s open source development. The programme is one that will continue to elevate my Software Engineering journey, as it provides real-world exposure to the industry’s best practices.

My passion for technology also stretches to exposing youngsters from at-risk or underprivileged communities to tech and shifting their focus to the limitless possibilities there exists. That situation is one I can relate to, believing that no matter where you are from, you can rise above your circumstances. We must continue to bridge the gaps in our respect ways, as tech is important to Jamaica attaining the fourth industrial revolution and transitioning to a quaternary sector.

Outside of the tech space I love football, working out at the gym, trying new cuisines and enjoying nature.

The Palisadoes Foundation has had a close partnership with the Jamaica Computer Society since the first year of the Calico Challenge. We recently interviewed JCS President Stacey Hines about the various challenges faced by her, the JCS and the industry. It’s a very insightful discussion.

About the Calico Challenge
Calico was conceived by The Palisadoes Foundation in conjunction with the Jamaica Diaspora Technology Task Force. There has been close technical collaboration between the Foundation; the University of the West Indies (UWI) Department of Computing, Mona; the UWI Computing Society; and the University of Technology IEEE Students Branch to identify open source projects, student sub-projects and mentors.

About the Jamaica Computer Society (JCS)
Founded in 1975, The Jamaica Computer Society’s mission is to provide leadership in the promotion of the efficient and effective use of Information Technology in Jamaica. JCS conferences have been distinguished by the participation of presenters and attendees from across the globe including the Caribbean, USA, Canada, UK and Europe

About the Palisadoes Foundation
The California based Palisadoes Foundation aims to provide new avenues to promote Jamaica’s technology businesses and talent using a series of programs aimed at creating increased awareness of the island’s abilities in the global marketplace.

About the Jamaica Diaspora Technology Task Force
The Jamaica Diaspora Technology Task Force is a group of expatriate Jamaicans interested in assisting in the continued development of new and existing technologies in Jamaica. It is a member of the Jamaica Diaspora Movement.