The National Transformation Initiative (NTI) has teamed up with Starcom Network Inc and BiP to help Barbadians hunt for online learning success with cash rewards and ramp up its push to change perceptions of learning in Barbados.
Monday marked the official launch of a campaign that will give Barbadians a chance to participate in the NTI STARR Hunt with BiP, in association with VOB 92.9FM, HOTT 95.3FM, the BEAT 104.1FM, and LIFE 97.5FM, the stations of Starcom Network Inc.
The NTI team, including emcee Raphael Saul, Assistant Director, BEST, Implementation and Strategic Partnerships, and Director, Dr. Allyson Leacock, hosted partners and media representatives at the NTI offices at “Alcott”, Worthing, Christ Church, for the rollout of campaign details.
Marcelle Greenidge, Assistant Director, Coursera, Communications and Client Success, explained the rationale for the campaign. She said, “It is important to the National Transformation Initiative that Barbadians of all ages see learning as fun and inspiring. So, whether enhancing one’s ability to learn a new skill, learning skills for a new career, adding knowledge to support a course of study, or simply improving one’s performance at work, or life in general, we encourage citizens to see the pursuit of learning as exciting, fun, and a lifelong activity.
“We are especially keen to encourage greater use of technology for learning. Beyond talk and text, our mobile devices are powerful tools for learning, and we want to build a growing level of comfort and natural facility with the use of devices for that purpose.”
The NTI has therefore joined Starcom as a robust media partner, with both extensive reach and impact, as well as telecommunications operator, Digicel, in spurring citizens to hunt for personal and professional success.
Running 30 days from August 23 until October 1, the contest features a daily prize of $500, which roll over if not won, and a final day prize of $5 000. Eligibility requirements include registering as a learner on nti.org.bb. Full contest details are available on the NTI’s website and social channels @ntiSTARRBajan.
Starcom’s Advertising Manager, Vilmore Johnson, heralded the partnership as vital to improvement of the skills set of persons across the 11 parishes of this island. Starcom Network as a broadcast entity that reaches into the many communities across Barbados, see the viability of the National Transformation Initiative and the synergies that can be derived from the partnership. We want to be part of the transformation process, both directly and indirectly, and are willing and ready to play our part in the realisation of this objective.
He added: “The contest information will be disseminated across our four radio stations – VOB 92.9FM, Hott 95.3FM, The Beat 104.1FM and Life 97.5FM. Each station has a unique audience with specific targeted demographics that speaks to their listening consumption and engagement patterns. The presence of these four stations along with our social media platforms aligns well with the strategies of the NTI.”
The contest, coincides with the 41st anniversary celebration of the network’s flagship station, VOB 92.9FM. The new version of the contest, hosted across all four of the network’s stations, will also feature location-based technology, made available through technology partner, BiP and is open to all BiP customers on all networks.
According to Digicel Marketing Manager, Risha Daniel, “Digicel recognises the great work of The National Transformation Initiative by the Government of Barbados which seeks to invest and deepen the existing investments in skills training and education throughout the island. We simply can’t be a part of the country’s future without investing in initiatives that directly change people’s lives.”
In her statement, she extended an invitation to both Digicel and Flow customers to take advantage of the BiP app – through which contestants will confirm finding clue locations. She highlighted this as both a business decision as well as “playing a key role in our nation’s development”.
The NTI, which hosts indigenous online courses including the recent addition of Personal Financial Management, also launched its partnership with Coursera, one of the world’s largest online learning platforms, on May 1, 2021. With that launch, 20 000 licences were acquired for Barbadians to obtain new knowledge and skills, along the provision of a further 20 000 Coursera Social Impact Scholarships, a gift extended by Google, a Coursera partner. This comprehensive approach allows NTI to offer global training opportunities to scale for all Barbadians to improve their skills and improve their lives.