Port-Vila, Vanuatu – Saturday 17 May 2025: As the world comes together to celebrate World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) on 17 May 2025, the National University of Vanuatu (NUV) proudly adds its voice to the global call to close the gender digital divide and promote inclusive access to digital opportunity.
This year’s theme, “Closing the gender digital divide unlocks opportunity for all,” speaks directly to one of the most pressing challenges. While digital technologies offer promise for transforming Vanuatu education, economy, and society, that potential remains out of reach for far too many, especially women and girls. Globally, the majority of the 2.6 billion people still offline are female. Persistent gaps in access to affordable internet, devices, and digital skills continue to prevent girls and women from fully participating in the digital world.
NUV is committed to advancing digital inclusion in Vanuatu and, through the support of the French Embassy in Vanuatu (project Uni Stanap), assessed the market to develop a program responding to Vanuatu’s needs in the sector. NUV proudly launched this year its Diploma in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a key step toward closing the gaps. This two-year, full-time program prepares students to enter the local and international ICT job market with a strong foundation in core technical skills, including network, systems support, software development, and database management. In addition to technical expertise, students gain communication, teamwork, and ethical decision-making skills to prepare them for professional success in a multicultural environment. The diploma also offers a solid platform for further studies or specialisation in ICT. Importantly, the final semester is a full-time work-based internship, connecting students with employers and real-world challenges in the field.
Currently, 26 students are enrolled in the program, including seven young women. While this is a promising start, NUV recognises the need to encourage more girls to pursue careers in ICT, a sector where they are still underrepresented. To support this, the university is actively seeking partnerships from the private sector to get sponsorship, equipment support, or internship placements. Some private sector representatives have already expressed strong interest in recruiting graduates from the program. This collaboration will not only help to bridge the digital divide but also ensure that students graduate with practical experience and professional connections.
Mr Cedric Kere, ICT Diploma Coordinator at NUV, emphasised the value of this opportunity and encouraged more girls to join. “The ICT sector is full of possibilities, and it needs more voices, especially from women and girls,” he said. “Our program doesn’t just teach you how to use technology, it empowers you to shape it. We want to see more women and girls apply, take the lead, and inspire the next generation. Your journey in IT can start here at NUV.”
To further promote careers in ICT and connect students with professionals in the field, NUV organises, in partnership with the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, an ICT Career Day on Tuesday 20 May, from 9 am to 2 pm in NUV’s main campus. It is an opportunity for prospective students to learn more about the Diploma in ICT, meet professionals from both the public and private sectors, and begin building valuable networks for future internship or employment opportunities.
NUV remains committed to providing quality education that prepares all students, regardless of gender, for meaningful roles in the digital economy. On WTISD 2025, NUV reaffirms its belief that closing the gender digital divide is not just a global priority, but a national one. The future of technology in Vanuatu must include everyone.
