The gap between projects and posting

Where did the last three years go!

When I went to do some work on my website, I could not help but see that almost 3 years had passed since my last blog-post. What have I been doing? Have I used the time wisely?

Upon reflection, I believe that this time has been well spent. That I have contributed in several areas.

One area is my PhD. Now being examined, I am waiting on the result.

A second area is the bringing together of my experience across IT, radio and education in three water projects across the Pacific.

Although there is more, the third is with respect to improving IT technical skills in Asia.

Firstly, to my PhD. The short title is the "Industries of the Future". I was researching the question: "How does a place-based economic development strategy support long-term peri-urban prosperity in the knowledge economy?" The focus of this project was at the intersection of several fields of study: peri-urban geography, approaches to urban economic development, the knowledge economy, and strategic foresight.

While I wrote much and posited several recommendations, one conclusion of note is that a focus on fostering local research and development will support long term prosperity for any locale.

Secondly, to these water projects. It was a profound opportunity to be able to support ADB water improvement projects in three different communities (The Republics of Kiribati, Marshall Islands, and Vanuatu) across the Pacific.

As a telemetry specialist I provided tailored advice on both information technology and workforce capability. The aim of this advice was to ensure that the systems to be put in place would be resilient and would achieve the project's overall goals of efficient and sustainable asset performance.

The last major area is my development of a VET program in IT networking and programming for an ADB-supported program in Cambodia. Covering topics such as operating systems, computer hardware, databases, websites, cybersecurity, and modern programming languages it is aimed at improving the skills base over the long term. An important project to help build the workforce, the economy and the opportunities that go with this dynamic.

What of this gap of 3 years between posts?

There is indeed a gap between projects and posting, and this gap is filled with opportunities to contribute to what is valuable and worthwhile. To improving the lives of people in different places.