Women keen on harnessing the power of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) must be prepared to learn new skills and embrace opportunities to use the new technology for education and lifelong learning.

In her sabda at the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2012 yesterday, Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri PengiranAnak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah urged women in the ICT industry to continually seek ways to improve themselves in their careers.

“I would therefore encourage our women to capitalise on the opportunities….both in public as well as in private, to develop and upgrade their knowledge and expertise in ICT,” she said.

“It is only in this manner that they (women) will be able to pursue meaningful careers in the ICT industry,” said HRH.

“Alhamdulillah, under the wise and able leadership of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, through various initiatives undertaken by governmental agencies, there have always been equal opportunities for women’s empowerment and participation in all forms of activities,” added Her Royal Highness. To read more, click here. Courtesy of Leo Kassim of The Brunei Times.

Yesterday marked the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) and is being celebrated annually by many countries across the world to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention, and the creation of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) of the United Nations agency.

Brunei Darussalam observed WTISD at the Empire Hotel & Country Club, in an event organised by the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) in collaboration with Telekom Brunei Berhad (TelBru), DST and B-Mobile Communications Sdn Bhd.

Gracing the event as the guest of honour was Her Royal Higness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman.

On arrival, Her Royal Highness was greeted by the Minister of Communications, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar; Dato Paduka Haji Awang Alaihuddin bin Pehin Orang Kaya Di Gadong Seri Lela Dato Seri Utama Haji Awang Mohamad Taha, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Chairman of AITI; and Haji Yahkup Haji Menudin, Chief Executive of AITI.

The event also saw a panel discussion by prominent ICT women from both the government and private sectors who shared several challenges and opportunities for women’s involvement and participation in the ICT-related activities as well as career prospects in ICT for women. The speakers in the panel discussion were Dr Sophiana Chua Abdullah, Researcher at CSPS; Mariah Taha, Senior Special Duties Officer and CIO at the Prime Minister’s Office; and Azizah Ali, Country Manager of Microsoft Sdn Bhd. The discussion was moderated by Haslina Taib, CEO of BAG Networks.

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A local women entrepreneur, Hajah Noraini Haji Jamudin of Taste on Tray, then shared her experience on how ICT has helped her to successfully start, manage and run a home business in the bakery industry.

Her Royal Highness has later consented to present a mock certificate of ICT training Programme participation to the two women’s leading associations in the country, namely the Council of Women of Brunei Darussalam and Women Business Council of Brunei Darussalam. Two training providers, HAD Technologies and Tech One Global Pte Ltd, will be conducting the International Computer Driving License (ICDL) and website training courses respectively to about 70 women participants from both associations.

Her Royal Highness also consented to receive a pesambah from the organising committee.

This year’s WTISD theme: “Women and girls in ICT” has been chosen by the ITU with aims to ensure that this vulnerable female half of the world’s population will march forward as equals. The theme also supports and promotes the ITU’s designated “Girls in ICT Day” which is celebrated every fourth Thursday of April.

AITI has lined up a number of activities to mark the WTISD celebration, amongst others include essay writing competition and radio quizzes.