Technology Education key to Tamils' prosperity- Thilak

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 August 2004, 00:04 GMT]
"Skills development in information technology across the districts of NorthEast at international levels is key to economic upliftment of our people," said S.Thilak, currently the Director of Economic Development for NorthEast and formerly political head of Trincomalee, when TamilNet talked to him Saturday about his new assignment in the economic division.

Thilak said working in the technology sector is not new to him as he was the Assistant Director for Tamil Eelam Economic Development Organization (TEEDOR) in Amparai between 1991 and 1994. "It is thoroughly fulfilling to me to be again engaged in helping people to reach higher levels of economic prosperity," he said.

"We are trying to expand information technology education in all districts of NorthEast. The model IT class in Kilinochchy Institute of Technology which is largely funded by an expatriate organization in U.K, is to be duplicated in newly formed technical colleges in Batticaloa district and Trincomalee," said Thilak.

"English Language courses and IT courses are also being introduced in schools with addition of teachers funded by our Economic Development branch. For example, our immediate priority is in introducing IT to selected schools in Mannar. Salary for each added staff member will cost $1200 per year, Thilak said. He also urged more expatriate organizations to come forward to assist the effort.

"Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) is building an English Training school in Kilinochchi which will house modern facilities with accomodation to train up to 30 English Teachers. Other volunteer organizations are also assisting in the spread of IT education in districts of NorthEast," Thilak added.

Alternative energy development including projects in solar technology, modernization of fishing industry by equipping fishermen with new fishing gear and fish finding instruments are some of the areas that can have immediate impact on the livelihood of low income people, Thilak said.

"We are actively encouraging expatriate participation in making progress in these technologies," Thilak added.