THE Government of Jamaica is in the process of purchasing a state-of-the-art Digital Archival System that will allow for the preservation of the audiovisual data of several public agencies.

The system, which costs US$200,000 (J$23 million), is being purchased through support from the Government of the Republic of South Korea. It will allow the agencies to convert analogue source material of objects, images, sounds and video recordings to digital format, providing for greater preservation, easier access, retrieval and usage.

Minister with responsibility for information, Senator Sandrea Falconer — speaking at a ceremony Tuesday at Jamaica House where she received the cheque from South Korean Ambassador to Jamaica Jong Seon Lim — said the acquisition of this system represents the realisation of her dream since becoming minister, to see Jamaica’s historical data being preserved in this way.

“I was convinced that we needed a retrieval system for the thousands of hours of recording and the thousands of photographs that we have. I was determined to find a system to ensure that the material could be stored in a format that keeps it safe for many generations after us, and in a format that allows easy access and retrieval of the material,” she explained.

Senator Falconer expressed gratitude to the South Korean government for funding the purchase of the system, which will be the first of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean.

The Digital Archival System will be installed at the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBC-J) premises, but each agency will have the capacity for input and output from their respective locations through network connectivity.

These agencies include the Jamaica Information Service, the Creative Production and Training Centre (CPTC), Jamaica Archives and Records Department (JARD), and the Institute of Jamaica. Data from the former Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation will also be uploaded to the system.

“This means that the high risk of losing some of this very important and historical material is now significantly reduced,” the minister said.

“As we progress as a nation, it is important that the environment exists for the preservation of our invaluable archival and historical material. As a Government, we believe that our people must know their story and their history and this wonderful gift will help us to achieve that goal,” Senator Falconer added.

The South Korean Ambassador to Jamaica, Jong Seon Lim, said this partnership represents the Republic’s continued support of Jamaica’s development.

“The preservation of a history is important to a nation and this archival system will ensure that Jamaica’s history is preserved in the most secure and accessible way for future generations,” he said.

The digital archival system is being acquired through partnership with AVITECH Systems Ltd, which represents Sony Professional Solutions, Latin America.

CAPTION:

Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator Sandrea Falconer, accepts a cheque valued at US$200,000 from South Korean Ambassador to Jamaica Jong Seon Lim at Jamaica House on Tuesday. The money will be used to purchase a state-of-the-art Digital Archival System, which will be used to preserve audiovisual data from various public agencies. (PHOTO: JIS)