CI-TEAM Demonstration Project: CI-Powered IT Immersion for Indigenous Cultures (Navajo CIT)

Utah Valley University, Orem UT

Investigators

Abstract

This is a project that will assist the Navajo Nation in their quest to provide Information Technology (IT) education to build 21st century skills for their people. Utah Valley State College (UVSC) will partner with the cyber-infrastructure (CI) directors in the Navajo Nation to increase the number of computer diagnostic technicians, network maintenance, and cyber-skilled personnel utilizing the installed CI of the Navajo Nation. The physical cyber-infrastructure is already in place for this project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Navajo Nation. Certiport, Inc., a commercial training company, has and will providing introductory IT skills training in hardware and software up through A+ skills level, creating a pool of students prepared to take advantage of the more advanced training provided by this project. Training of these Navajo technicians to work within the Navajo community will make cyber-technology more accessible to the Navajo people, particularly its youth and young adults, and in opening doors for them to contribute to society as scientists, engineers, educators, and community leaders.