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Newsletter Q3

2020-09-24

Nau Mai

This quarter, we have updates about some of our products and services, including a new Silverstripe quick start website, details about the upcoming Kohacon, a look at the Catalyst Academy, news from overseas, and highlights of upcoming training being run around the country

SilverStarter
 

Need to stand up a good looking, fully functional website in short order?

Catalyst has developed an out-of-the-box Silverstripe site, complete with basic theme, to get your new site up and running in no time.

The SilverStarter theme was originally developed to quickly deliver not one, but two secure websites for the Next Generation Critical Communications organisation and the Public Safety Network Programme. Both sites built and launched in a matter of days, and within constrained budgets.

Launching a new website, built to the AA Government Web Standards, does not have to be an onerous or expensive exercise. Learn more about how the Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand,  Wellington Free Ambulance, and St John collaborated with us to build a platform to enhance communication and wellness among their teams.

Read more about this project: https://www.catalyst.net.nz/client-work/next-generation-critical-communi...

 

Kohacon 2020

Catalyst are proud and excited to sponsor KohaCon20, an online and in-person hybrid event that will showcase the power of Koha Library System, as well as hosting varied workshops and a cultural day. It’s going to be brilliant, you can view the programme here.

Read this brilliant blog by Tosca from the Catalyst Koha to learn more about Koha and Kohacon20.

Kohacon2020 will run from Monday 19th - Sunday 25th October and is free to attend, register at: https://kohacon20.lilregie.com/booking/attendees/new

 

 

Open Source: Next Gen
 

This month saw the opening of applications for the Catalyst Scholarship programme. Each year we award $6,000 dollars to two students leaving for university. Take a look at last year’s recepients.

So, if you know a budding technologist that would benefit from a little financial help send them our way!

https://www.catalyst.net.nz/scholarship-application-form

Also coming up is the Open Source Academy, this is a two week initiative designed to provide training and work experience for young New Zealand technologists.

Learn more: https://www.catalyst.net.nz/open-source-academy

 

 

Catalyst EU Update

The Catalyst team in Europe launched University College London’s Moodle and will continue to support and manage this learning system - which is hosted on the Catalyst Cloud.

The team delivered a webinar with their partners Dublin City University and JISC, to talk about Pie and digital assessments in light of Covid. You can watch the webinar here.

They team also welcomed Gloucester University , Birkbeck University, Limerick Institute of Technology and Athlone Institute of Technology onto their shared hosting service.

Catalyst Training in Q3
 

As the largest open source trainer in the southern hemisphere, Catalyst has an array of courses lined up across the country in the coming months. You and your teams can upskill in a huge range of open source technologies and practices, from Agile to Web Accessibility.

In level 2 we are still providing training in accordance with the level two guidelines, ensuring space between people and cleaning. If courses are unexpectedly postponed, we will reschedule as soon as possible or offer a refund.

This is a fantastic time for your organisation to complete group training – which we offer discounts for, just get in touch for more information.

The details about September courses are on our news page.

Or the full list for the quarter is up on our website:
https://www.catalyst.net.nz/training/upcoming-training

 

A Digital Strategy for New Zealand

If you haven't already seen this, it may pique your interest! A strategy for New Zealand's digital sector that is built on three principles: Open, Sovereign, and Resilient.

The document describes how the adoption of these principles will accelerate the contribution of the local digital sector to New Zealand’s economic and social well-being, and will support the longer term development of the industry as a critical plank in our country’s future.

The document is available on our website, and can be downloaded in English and Te Reo Māori.