Jamaican High School ICT Clubs!
Do you have an eye for video production? Are you passionate about digital skills and the future of technology? Then this is your chance to shine! The European Union (EU) and Universal Service Fund (USF) Short Video Competition invites active ICT Club members in Jamaican high schools to create an exciting short video on the topic below for a chance to win amazing prizes!
This competition is all about digital innovation! Here’s what we hope to achieve:
- Boost digital literacy among Jamaica’s youth.
- Give students a chance to apply ICT knowledge to real-world situations.
- Encourage critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership.
- Help students build digital skills for future careers.
- Increase awareness of the EU’s partnership with Jamaica in expanding ICT access for social and economic development.
Message from the EU Ambassador to Jamaica
This year we celebrate five decades of partnership between the European Union and Jamaica. Over this period, our partnership has grown stronger each year and yielded many benefits on both sides.
The success of our partnership is due largely to the fact that the EU and Jamaica are like-minded in many ways and share a strong commitment to working together to address some of the critical challenges of our time. Over the years, the EU has supported Jamaica to achieve its priority goals in areas such as health, education, climate change, environmental protection, justice, and citizen security.
Today, our partnership with Jamaica reflects the current realities. It focuses on actions that will support Jamaica’s goal of fostering economic development with an emphasis on boosting smart, clean and secure links in the digital, energy and transport sectors and strengthen health, education and research systems under the EU’s Global Gateway Initiative.
The world we live in today is increasingly digital. In order to succeed in this new environment, the country’s children and the population in general must be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills. The EU is supporting Jamaica’s on-going digital transformation programme to recast the education sector. By connecting public schools across the country to wide area networks and providing campus-wide Wi-Fi access in these schools, students will gain greater access to digital resources that will help to bridge the digital divide and level the playing field.
The initiative will also positively impact teacher training. The EU is working with the Jamaica Teaching Council to integrate Jamaica’s ICT competency framework into the curricula of all teacher training institutions. This means that in-service, in-training as well as future student teachers will be equipped with the digital skills needed to create an up-to-date learning environment for the children of Jamaica. Already, two courses have been developed and will be integrated into the mandatory foundation courses of the 4-year first degree teaching programmes.
This competition puts the students in focus. It is a platform that the EU and the USF are providing to Jamaican students, teachers, principals and others, to stimulate well-rounded discussions on digital jobs of the future and the EU’s support through Global Gateway to help Jamaica prepare its citizenry for this new environment. I want to thank the USF for partnering with us to take this opportunity to the schools across Jamaica. I also want to thank the principals and teachers of the various schools participating in the competition. We need your leadership, expertise and actions to inspire the children, provide exposure for them, to build their confidence and to drive their readiness for digital transitioning. I look forward to seeing the videos that will emerge and encourage all participants to enjoy the experience.
Thank you very much.
Message from the CEO, USF
As we celebrate 20 years of the Universal Service Fund’s (USF) unwavering commitment to advancing digital inclusion across Jamaica, we take pride in the impact we’ve made and the continued progress in equipping our nation for the digital age. The USF remains steadfast in its mission to empower Jamaicans, especially our youth, with the tools and skills necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving digital world.
The EU-USF ICT Club Short Video Competition offers an exciting opportunity for active USF ICT clubs in high schools across Jamaica to explore and present their ideas on a critical topic: The impact of digital technology on future jobs. Through this initiative, we aim to inspire secondary-level students to apply ICT concepts to real-world scenarios while developing valuable research, communication, and creative problem-solving skills. By encouraging students to think critically and work collaboratively, the competition also fosters essential soft skills such as leadership, teamwork, and innovation.
This partnership with the European Union further strengthens the USF’s cause by providing vital support for Jamaica’s digital transformation. The EU’s Global Gateway Strategy complements our efforts to ensure that every Jamaican has access to the digital tools and skills necessary for success. Together, we are not only preparing students for the careers of tomorrow, but also increasing awareness of how this collaboration contributes to the broader development of Jamaica’s social and economic landscape.
I am excited to see how you, the talented youth of Jamaica, showcase the transformative power of digital technology and share your vision for the future. Together, we are building a Jamaica that is ready for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
Technology Expert
Technology Expert to Support the Video Competition Process
A technology expert will be guiding students throughout this competition, providing valuable insights into digital communication, strategy, and digital literacy. With extensive experience in digital transformation, this expert will help participants bring their creative ideas to life and explore how technology shapes the future.
How Will the Technology Expert Help You?
- Online & In-Person Sessions – Workshops and coaching sessions to enhance participants’ understanding of technology careers, essential skills, and trends for success in the digital world.
- Q&A Support – Weekly support for participants to submit questions and receive expert guidance.
- Live at the USF Conference (March 28) – An opportunity for participants to engage directly with the expert and gain insights for crafting a compelling video.
- Mini Tips – Through brief videos, the Technology Expert will share tips on:
- Emerging technology trends and a forward-looking perspective on the digital job market.
- Basic video editing tips to enhance storytelling.
- The importance of digital transformation and how it impacts various industries.
Stay tuned for session dates and details on how to connect with the technology expert!
Competition Rules & Guidelines
Theme: Digital Campaign
Topic: The impact of digital technology on future jobs and the main success factors that will allow Jamaica’s Secondary Education System to deliver digitally competent graduates.
Instructions: Create a short video exploring the impact of digital technology on future jobs and how Jamaica’s education system can prepare students with digital skills for success.
Your video should showcase creative ideas or campaigns to promote Digital Skills for Life! You can use animations, music, graphs, text, and any other engaging elements to bring your ideas to life. Be creative!
Video Length
- Maximum duration: 3 minutes
Submission Deadline
- April 16, 2025, by 5:00 PM
- Late submissions will not be accepted.
Who Can Enter?
- Open to high school students in grades 11, 12, and 13.
- Participants must be active members of their school’s ICT Club.
- Teams of up to 4 students (we encourage teams to include both girls and boys!).
- Only 1 entry per ICT Club (individual entries will not be accepted).
How Will Videos Be Judged?
A panel of expert judges alongside social media votes will select the winning entries.
Your submission will be scored based on the following:
- Creativity (20%) – Use of music, animations, graphics, and editing.
- Originality (30%) – Unique ideas, storytelling, and concept.
- Content Accuracy (40%) – How well you explain the topic, proper references, and acknowledgments.
- Social Media Engagement (10%) – Public likes on the EU’s Facebook & Instagram pages.
Important Competition Rules
- Language: English or a mix of English and Patois is allowed.
- Content Restrictions: No offensive, violent, inappropriate, or plagiarized material.
- Original Work Only: Your team must create the video (no copying from others!).
- Ownership: By entering, you agree that the European Union and the Universal Service Fund can use your video for promotional, educational, and other purposes.
- Disqualification: Videos containing harmful content or incomplete submissions will be immediately disqualified.
Disclaimer: Ownership and Usage Rights
- ICT Clubs should keep at least one copy of their video. The EU and the USF are not responsible for any films that are lost, damaged, or that do not upload properly.
- Ownership of the underlying intellectual property of the project remains with the entrant, with the following exceptions.
- Entrants grant the European Union and the Universal Service Fund the right to use, reproduce, reprint, distribute, perform, and/or display the entrant’s project video without further compensation or notification to the entrant.
- One student and/or the assisting teacher cannot form part in various teams for this competition.
- The European Union and the Universal Service Fund maintain the right to reproduce, reprint, distribute, perform, display, or exhibit the project for advertising, publicity, and promotional purposes on their website, at conferences, or at any other venues.
- By accepting the prizes, winners agree to hold the European Union and all USF employees harmless against any and all claims and liability arising out of use of such prizes. The winner assumes all liability for any injury or damage caused from participation in the contest or use/redemption of any prize.
- Entrants agree to be bound by the official contest rules and decisions of the judges.
Submission Guidelines
-
Registration
- Complete club registration by February 17, 2025
- Await confirmation email
-
Step-by-Step Submission Process
- Download consent forms (one form per participant)
- Fill out consent forms (signed by each participant and their parent/guardian). Submit completed forms to the Principal’s Office by February 17, 2025.
- Submit final video via email to euvideocompetition@usf.gov.jm by April 16, 2025
- Await confirmation email
-
Technical Specifications
- Video must be in .mp4, .mov, or .avi format.
-
Include a title frame at the start with:
- Video Title
- Topic
- Duration
- Team Name (Title frame does NOT count toward the 3-minute limit!)
-
Important Deadlines
- Competition Opening: February 10, 2025
- Submissions End: April 16, 2025
- Public Voting Ends: May xx, 2025
- Winner Selections: May xx, 2025
Upcoming Activities
Launch Event – February 19, 2025
Time: TBA
Location: Online & In-Person (Details to be provided)
The official kickoff of the EU/USF Short Video Competition, covering rules, judging criteria, and submission processes.
USF Conference – March 28, 2025
Time: TBA
Location: Kingston, Jamaica
Meet industry experts, learn about digital technology & education trends, and engage with Kadia Francis.
Live Q&A Session 1 – Date TBA
Time: TBA
Location: Online (Virtual Session)
Ask questions about video production, competition guidelines, and digital storytelling. Kadia will share expert tips.
Live Q&A Session 2 – Date TBA
Time: TBA
Location: Online (Virtual Session)
Another chance for participants to refine their video projects: storyboarding, sound design, and more.
Prize Handover Ceremony – Date TBA
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
The winning school will be visited by EU and USF representatives for the official prize handover and celebration!
Stay tuned for updates on exact dates for Q&A sessions and the Closing Ceremony!
Amazing Awards & Prizes!
Participating in this competition is already a huge opportunity, but the rewards make it even better!
Grand Prize – Trip to Brussels! – The first-place team will win an exclusive trip to Brussels in Summer 2025, along with their assisting teacher.
Trophy & Medals – The top three ICT Clubs will receive a prestigious trophy and medals.
Certificate of Participation – Every school and team member who enters the competition will receive a certificate in recognition of their efforts.
Contact
For more information about the EU/USF Short Video Competition, or if you have any questions or concerns, please email us at euvideocompetition@usf.gov.jm.