Kingston, Jamaica: April 29, 2016 – The Jamaica Computing Society (JCS) announced its collaboration with the Palisadoes Foundation in the first annual Calico Challenge.
The Calico Challenge is a summer work study program for computer science students in Jamaica. Each selected student works on enhancing open source software used internationally under the guidance of a Jamaican mentor. Students receive a US$500 stipend for their participation which is incrementally paid upon the achievement of specified milestones. Calico is also a feeder program for the similar Google Summer of Code.
In the partnership the JCS will aid the Palisadoes Foundation in the disbursement of Calico Challenge funds to students. Future joint activities will include identifying new avenues for Calico, and expanding the promotion of Jamaican IT talent through the participation of Jamaican diaspora talent in local conferences, and the identification of corporate ventures between the JCS and Jamaican companies overseas.
“The momentum of Calico continues to increase daily because the benefits to all members of the Jamaican IT community, future and present, are so clear” said Peter Harrison, President of the Palisadoes Foundation, “this is the reason why Calico’s IT talent development program that has made remarkable gains in its short history. The formalization of our ongoing JCS collaboration is a very encouraging endorsement and we look forward to the future together.”
“This program exposes local ICT talent to practical use of open source software used globally. With these skills our youth will have opportunities for global employment while residing at home in Jamaica. JCS is pleased to partner with the Palisadoes Foundation to make this happen as their mission is aligned with ours with respect to educating the ICT sector ” Sheldon Powe, JCS President and Chief Information Officer, JMMB Group
“This partnership between the JCS and the Palisadoes Foundation expressed through Calico Challenge is most welcomed. I am very pleased with the fact that the selected Jamaican ICT students have been given the opportunity to unleash their programming skills utilizing the latest open source platforms. My desire is for this impetus to grow and deepen so that more Jamaican ICT students can compete and be showcased in the Global ICT Arena.” Maurice Coke, JCS Vice President for Certification, Education, Standards and Accreditation (CESA) and IT Consultant, Jamaica Employers’ Federation.
More information can be found on the Palisadoes Foundation website: http://www.palisadoes.org
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.