ICTA rolls out ‘Lighting Digital’ capacity building drive

• Nationwide initiative aimed at building a ‘digitally capable Sri Lanka’

The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) has announced the launch of ‘Lighting Digital,’ a national digital capacity building drive, focusing on accelerating digital transformation in Sri Lanka through a holistic approach.

A series of capacity-building initiatives have been formulated, across three key pillars, namely; Education Sector, Government Sector, and Capacity-building of citizens. These initiatives are introduced to ensure efficient and effective public service delivery to stakeholders, establish SMART education to produce a future-ready employable workforce, and empower citizens to adopt digital technologies to reap the benefits of a digital society.

Technology Ministry Secretary Jayantha De Silva, ICTA Chairman Oshada Senanayake and CEO Eng. Mahinda B. Herath attended the occasion among many distinguished speakers and invitees from the private and public sectors.

In the Education sector, a master plan and policy for Digital Education, a Higher Education Conversion Program, an interactive network with the industry for digital education, a National Skills Framework and Platform were introduced.

The ICTA broader capacity-building drive incorporates a framework focusing on making the Government Sector digitally mature while empowering workforce at all levels. A key pillar in this effort is the creation of a Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO), a capable and competent individual established within public sector institutions to drive its digitisation efforts. In addition, introduction of the Digital Maturity Model paves the way for government organisations to make their digital government transformation efforts a success.  ‘NextGenGov’ initiative and the Digital Government Competency Framework have also been initiated, with the objective of capacitating government officials at a rapid pace.

ICTA’s efforts to enhance citizens› living conditions and livelihood by efficiently adopting digital technologies have already been underway with the network of partner agencies. This national digital citizenship initiative is expected to increase the digital literacy of citizens, enhance women›s engagement in the digital workforce and create digitally capable and employment ready youth.

The ‘Lighting Digital’ Capacity Building Drive will focus on continuous and impactful outcomes delivered to an inclusive and broader range of stakeholders, in collaboration with partner entities in the Government, industry associations, private sector, community-based organisations, international development agencies, and many other stakeholder groups.

Several resource persons engaged in ICTA’s capacity-building initiatives were appreciated for their unwavering support at the event. Additionally, ICTA felicitated public and private sector partner organisations that enabled these initiatives› successful formulation and execution.

The ICTA is in the forefront of driving digital transformation in the nation with a vision to make Sri Lanka a digitally inclusive country. ICTA strives to serve the nation with effective digital solutions to transform the lives of Sri Lankan citizens.