Four women recognised for “longstanding contribution” to VI ICT

By MERRICK ANDREWS, Online News Editor

(JTV News) — Four women have been recognised by the Office of Gender Affairs for their longstanding contribution to the Virgin Islands in the field of Information Communications Technology (ICT) in observance of International Women’s Day under the theme DigitAll: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality.

The women are Director of the Department of Information Technology Annabelle Skelton-Malone; Senior Database Administrator at the Financial Services Commission (FSC) Karen Liburd-Anselm; Information Technology (IT) Manager at Roadtown Wholesale Trading, Limited (RTW) Irma Harrigan; and Biomedical Engineer Manager at the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Candia Rabsatt-Thompson.

According to a government release, Skelton-Malone manages and directs the department’s operation, ensuring that efficient and effective technological services are provided throughout the Government.

Skelton-Malone started the department in 1989, under the stewardship of the then Financial Secretary Robert Mathavious, with two officers including herself, the release said.

“Under her leadership, the department implemented several technologies that have enhanced Government’s operations. Mrs. Skelton-Malone has overseen the implementation and upgrades of the Government Accounting System, the rebranding of the Government’s Websites to a central website, the expansion of network connectivity to government entities located throughout Tortola and the major sister islands along with the digitation of School Administration for all public schools through the implementation of SASI, which has since been migrated to PowerSchool,” the release said.

Liburd-Anselm has worked at the commission since 2003 and is celebrating 20 years as one of the few women in her field, according to the release.

“She is responsible for ensuring that the FSC has a reliable, robust and secure database infrastructure, environment all year round,” the release said.

“As a Database Administrator, this leading lady in technology is accountable for a complex, multi-platform database environment which includes Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL utilised in mission-critical enterprise applications such as VIRRGIN, AML/CFT Returns and MFAR Systems. She is also one of the persons responsible for providing technical support for the VIRRGIN application which is the system that makes it easy for Registered Agents to register companies, pay annual fees and make changes following the BVIBC Act,” the release added.

Harrigan joined RTW in 1983 as a Trainee Programmer and was promoted to Senior Analyst/Programmer after graduating from Salisbury State University with a Computer Information Systems degree. In 1993, Harrigan attained the IT Manager position she currently holds.

“Irma Harrigan is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the IT team, ensuring the availability and reliability of systems and networks, managing technology vendors, and implementing new technologies and processes to improve the efficiency and productivity of the company,” the release stated.

At a young age, Rabsatt-Thompson displayed an interest in electronics and technology. After graduating high school, she enrolled at DeVry University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering Technology and a certificate in Biomedical Equipment Technology, according to the release.

At the BVIHSA, Rabsatt-Thompson, according to the release, is “responsible for Healthcare Technology Management as it relates to the installation, calibrations, corrective maintenance and preventative maintenance of medical equipment. The medical equipment must maintain the manufactures standard of a high level of accuracy, reliability, and durability as it relates to patient care and diagnoses. The equipment must also be safe for both clinical staff and patients”.