Dominican Achievements in Communication Technologies Underscored by Former President Fernández

The former President of the Dominican Republic and President of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and its sister organization in the DR, Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), Leonel Fernández, highlighted the great progress achieved by his country in the field of technological development during an extensive trip to Miami and Chicago in the United States during the first half of May, 2014.

Eighth
Technology Leadership Awards
At the Eighth Technology Leadership Awards, organized by the Chamber of Commerce of  Greater Miami, Florida,  key note speaker, Dr. Fernández,  referred to the status of technology and best practices. He indicated that, inspired by the technological revolution that was taking place around the world during his first administration, he began a process of technological innovation in the Dominican Republic, and was impressed
by the results achieved.

In this regard, Fernández said that Santo Domingo””””s Cyber Park (PCSD – Parque Cibernético de Santo Domingo), which includes the Technological Institute of the Americas (ITLA), is an infrastructure that meets the highest international standards in terms of connectivity, security and reliability. At present, the technological complex has over 1,300 employees and 2,500 students enrolled and  serves to enhance entrepreneurship and
innovation through programs such as Emprende, Nueva Q, Semilla K, and the Red de Inversionistas Ángeles (Angels Investors Network).

Likewise, President Fernández noted that one of the main projects of the Cyber ​​Park is the Caribbean NAP (Network Access Point), which has led the technology industry to a new level. He said that since its inception, the project has become a symbol of success, and that it is now considered by many as a place in the
Caribbean where connectivity is on par with the major telecommunications centers of the world.

In his speech, Fernández said the PCSD was conceived in the late 1990s, just when the Internet boom started, and with it, the possibility of diversifying the Dominican economy was raised. As a consequence there was an increasing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased, improvement in productivity and a  promotion of sustainable development.

Primarily,
as a result of this initiative, in 2012 the Dominican Republic had the opportunity to participate in the First Robotics Competition in the United States, which is one of the most important competitions, managing to reach 16th position out of 64 competing schools.

Similarly, the former Head of State highlighted the role played by the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (lNDOTEL), which was also created during his administration, in terms of bringing voice and
broadband services to the rural areas of the Dominican Republic.  In  summing up, Fernández said that after more than a decade of innovation, the goal is to create a society capable of making the best  use of what technology can offer with the aim of reducing economic and social divides.

Miami Dade College
The former President had several other meetings with personalities and officials from major technology
companies and members of academia. In a statement made by Leonel Fernández at Miami Dade College (MDC) before the University””””s Dean Eduardo Padrón and other VIPs, Dr. Fernández gave his support for future personalized education, which would be made possible thanks to the rise of new technologies, especially digital books. "The world is going digital and aims at customization. The use of new technologies is greatly changing the way we learn, and the market will continue to
adapt", he said.

At MDC Fernández met with several executives from the most important publishing houses to learn, first-hand, how they are working on starting new publications taking advantage of the opportunities that the new technologies are offering. During the meeting, "Solutions of the future today", executives from McGrawHill, one of the companies in attendance, presented a variant of digital books and also  unveiled the project
"Smartbook" (intelligent books) which helps personalize and internalize the contents of the readings in accordance to the learning needs of each student.

Business Incubator, Venture Hive
The former Head of State paid a visit to a Venture Hive business incubator in Miami, with the objective of ensuring that Dominican entrepreneurs join the high-tech enterprise market. Speaking with the company founder, Susan
Amat, Fernández said that the goal is to contribute through technology, in promoting a new engine of change in the Dominican economy and to improve the education system."We want to take the necessary steps to create a technological ecosystem and become part of the high-tech global chain. We strive to ensure that our entrepreneurs are equipped to join the scores of advance tech. companies," said Fernández.

For her part, Ms. Amat, explained that the
project focuses on educating businesses and that the program is based on understanding how the businesses that are involved in the initiative work. "We do not want companies to depend on us, but to give them the opportunity to become self-sustaining so that they can grow," she said.

In addition to Susan Amat, the other company officials that attended the meeting were innovators: Cory Hoffart, John Bermúd, Newt Porter, Antonio Otalvaro and Ralph
MacNamara.

DominicanaTech Launch during the eMerge Americas Technological Week Miami 2014
Fernández participated in the launch of DominicanaTech, at the conference eMerge Americas Techweek, which aims to be a catalyst for the movement to connect the technological ecosystems of the continent. The launch of the project, which was attended by groups of Dominican and Florida tech-businessmen, was conceived with the aim of
supporting the talented young Dominican technology entrepreneurs, to break out of current circumstances, and set out to conquer new market opportunities.

"Of course, it is their self-confidence motivates us to trust in their ability to innovate and take risks in a smart way, while we help them develop their business, market and finance strategies, through the training and mentoring processes," said the Dominican Republic former leader, Leonel Fernández .
He continued that Dominicana Tech seeks to connect two different worlds in the Caribbean country: on the one hand, the talented technology entrepreneurs who lead the new economy of the nation, and on the other hand, the successful community of business leaders of the traditional economy.."Our focus is to promote the Dominican Republic as a nation truly capable, creative, and at the cutting edge of technology, that attracts and promotes world-class educational platforms and
policies, and modern infrastructures and adequate funding," Fernández pointed out.

In his speech, Fernández concluded that he expects that various Dominican companies will be investing in the State of Florida in the very near future.

Additional Meetings in Miami by President Fernández
Additional meetings held during his trip were with Myra Lady Taylor, Mayor of Opa Locka and with representatives
of the Dominican community, as well as a working breakfast with Mark Rosenberg, President of Florida International University.

Dr. Fernández was  also recognized by the Ana G. Mendez University System (SUAGM), a specialized academic institution offering bilingual education programs for adults, where  he was the main speaker at the symposium "Democracy in the Americas 2014".

Former President Fernández was accompanied by a
group of young Dominican entrepreneurs in the field of Information and Communication Technology, who  are all engaged in an attempt to create a technologically influenced ecosystem in the Dominican Republic.

Chicago-Bound
After Miami, President Fernández will continue on his US tour to the city of Chicago, in the State of Illinois, where he will participate as a panelist in the "II Latin American Policy Forum:
Facing the Future", held at the Harris School for Public Policy at the University of Chicago.

Also in Chicago, Fernández will sign two agreements on inter-agency cooperation with the De Paul University and the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT).