What Is ICT???

ICT stands for "Information and Communications Technology"

The term includes electronic information-processing technologies such as computers and the Internet, as well as fixed-line telecommunications, mobile phones and other wireless communications, networks, broadband, and various specialised application devices ranging from barcode scanners and Braille readers to global positioning systems (GPS). ICT devices can be embedded in other machines and appliances to increase their functionality, from watches and washing machines to cars.

The information we access through digital technologies can promote innovation, increase productivity, and enrich the quality of our lives. Content creation is not only a global business – now it can be anyone’s business. Using digital technologies to create and access our distinctive cultural content enhances our identity as New Zealanders. ICT helps us unlock our stores of national content, making them accessible to all, and it is a powerful tool for directing and expressing our creativity.

Lifting productivity is a key government goal. Investing in ICT can have a powerful effect on productivity in almost every industry, driving innovation, cutting costs, and opening up new opportunities. ICT can boost profits, help small firms overcome limitations of size, and enable even tiny enterprises to establish a global presence. But to take full advantage of the opportunities of ICT, we need to develop the skills of our workforce at every level, from front-line staff to senior management. Investing in management and business capability is a priority.

Digital Strategy 2.0 is contributing to productivity growth and is closely aligned with the government’s productivity enhancement programmes.

ICT also has environmental benefits, helping us achieve our goal of sustainable development. Through ICT we can manage resources better, such as improving the efficiency of energy use and supply, cutting production costs, and reducing our impact on the environment.

Transformation through Information and Communication

There is an international consensus on the importance of intellectual input in creating value, underlining the need for investment in education and skills in general, with a special focus on ICT skills and research and development. ICT has changed the face of modern science and technology research, requiring our research organisations to be linked to each other through an Advanced Network that is connected to the rest of the world. Ready access to a safe, secure, and affordable communications infrastructure that enables national and international collaboration is the other half of the equation to take us forward to the Knowledge Society:

Information + Communication = Knowledge Society

Feedback on the Draft Digital Strategy 2.0 roundly endorsed our view that ICT is a general-purpose enabler across the whole economy. It is likely that 20 years from now New Zealand will still be a commodity producer on a global scale, but our continued success in primary industries as well as knowledge industries will depend on our ability to innovate and apply knowledge.

My Favourite Band

POP SHUVIT...

Pop Shuvit began making waves in the local music scene in late 2001. Comprising of Moots (vocals), JD (guitars), AJ (bass), Rudy (drums) and UNO (turntables), the band has had 4 successful releases under their belt and rocked fans throughout Asia notably in Japan, Thailand and Singapore. Known for their adrenaline packed live shows and eclectic blend of hip hop and rock, Pop Shuvit are being touted as Asia’s leading Hip Hop Rock band.

Their debut album ‘Take it & Shuvit’ broke new ground when their first single ‘Skaters’ Anthem’ was released exclusively on the Internet and became one of the most downloaded local songs in Malaysian music history. The hype and street buzz from the track caught the ears of ESPN, who in turn licensed the track for use in their Summer X-Games broadcast that hit millions of households worldwide. As further credit to Pop Shuvit, ESPN played their music videos and tracks off the album throughout the duration of competition.

In 2003, Pop Shuvit released “Take it & Shuvit” in Japan and became the first Malaysian band to hit the music chart in Japan. The overwhelming support from Japanese youth market ensured that all tracks of the album charted the top 20 on the Tower Records sales charts (even beating raprock luminaries like Linkin Park) without any promotion to back the album. The success of their releases in Japan led to Pop Shuvit touring the land of the rising sun in 2005 to support their sophomore release, ‘HERE & NOW’, leading to one of the most successful and talked about headlining tours for any Malaysian rock band. The album was a hard-hitting social commentary of urban culture and spurred hits like “Old Skool Rocka” and “Journey”, with the latter earning the band the 1 Song of the year on the Malaysian English Top Ten for 2005 and “Best Rock Act” at the inaugural Hitz.fm Malaysian English Top Ten Awards 2005.

Always one to go against the grain, the band released a dance remix album and a hip hop EP in 2004 and 2006 respectively. The remix of their track ‘Conversations’ from the “Shuvit Remixes” dance CD was hand picked by uber DJ Nick Warren for inclusion in pioneering UK dance music label Global Underground’s mix CD, Shanghai GU28 that peaked at 19 on the UK TOP 40 Dance Album Charts. The hip hop EP, a 4 track 12 inch vinyl release, featured collaborations with some of hip hop’s most respected emcees from around the globe including US emcees Big Pooh from Little Brother, L.E.G.A.C.Y, Cesar Comache, ZION from ZION I, Def Jam Japan’s DABO and Reggaeton duo Nitro Y Fanta from Puerto Rico.

Not resting on their laurels, Pop Shuvit’s eagerly anticipated third album, aptly titled “Amped & Dangerous” hit stores in Japan on 23 August 2006 with a later release date being planned for the Malaysian market. The 12 song set is a rollercoaster ride of crunching guitars, pounding rhythms and funked out hip hop beats and rhymes."This is essentially a guitar driven album that’s made for the mosh pit. Simply put, it rocks harder!” says skinman Rudy about the new material.Malaysian fans can expect something different as Guitarist/Producer JD hinted, “We had to think strategically this time around and only release tracks that cater for a specific market so the Japanese/Asian and Malaysian editions will be different.” The Japanese edition of the album will be released throughout Asia as an import edition so fans will still be able to obtain both copies.To top off a great 2006, Pop Shuvit walked away with the “Best Live Act” at the Annual Malaysian English Top Ten Awards 2006.Being independent, the boys understand that there is a need to diversify and take the band to the next level as frontman Moots! Pointed out, “That’s the essence of Pop Shuvit, we always do things differently and love taking risks. We want to turn Pop Shuvit into a brand name and to do this we need to branch out and spread our wings be it in music or other facets of urban culture.”

True to their word, the boys have done just that by setting up Shuvit Management and Studio 21:05 to undertake the responsibilities of band management, marketing, music publishing and music production. Based in Taman Tun, Kuala Lumpur, Studio 21:05 is a fully equipped professional recording studio owned by Pop Shuvit and run by guitarist JD who is a qualified professional audio engineer. The next step for Pop Shuvit will be the world of fashion where Pop Shuvit have already sold out 3 limited edition T-shirt designs under its “Unknown Clothing” merchandising line and are in the midst of taking its clothing line to retails stores throughout Malaysia, a testament that the band is evolving and building itself into a successful business.