German supported Computer Training Center opens in Trinco

[TamilNet, Saturday, 15 March 2003, 18:45 GMT]
North East Provincial Council Chief Secretary Mr.S.Rangarajah Saturday morning declared open a new computer-training centre at the Provincial Management Development and Training Department (MDTD). The Integrated Food Security Programme (IFSP) in Trincomalee donated twelve computers and accessories worth 1.6 million rupees to the centre, sources said.

Mr.Rangarajah said the Management Development and Training Department of the NEPC has already trained about 2000 officers in computer literacy. Now the time has come to upgrade the computer-training programme.

He thanked the IFSP of the Federal German Government for helping the NEPC in a big way to develop an information system to the council.

Provincial Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration Ms Kamala Sivasithambaram said northeast provincial council officers in past were unable to obtain computer knowledge as some districts in the province did not have electricity. The peace process has created an environment allowing the opening of the computer-training centre, she added.

"We have to educate at least 34 thousand employees of the 54 thousand in the northeast provincial council in the use of and developing applications for computers, " said Ms Kamala Sivasithambaram.

The IFSP-GTZ Trincomalee team leader Dr. Dedo Geinitz said that the IFSP Trincomalee supports the computer-training centre. Advanced equipments have been provided to encourage information technology education for the north and east under a broader agreement between the IFSP-GTZ and the NEPC.

The IFSP Trincomalee is sponsored by the Federal German Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development, BMZ through the German Technical Co-operation, GTZ and the Government of Sri Lanka through the Eastern Development Ministry and the North East Provincial Council.

"IFSP Trincomalee encourages partner institutions to improve their capacities. This includes training for human resources development. Provincial and district government departments and also non-government organizations have been supported with facilities and equipment to increase their services capacity," Dr.Dedo Geinitz said.

Dr.Dedo Geinitz further said that the MDTD plays a key role in uplifting the standard of information technology know-how and knowledge of government officers. The aim is to improve services and contribute to good governance in relation to the anticipated accelerated reconstruction and development tasks for the northeast.

Project Director of the IFSP Ms Rohini Singarayer said," IT training is expected to not only contribute to better understanding about the potential of computer software for development but to enable planners and administrators to better apply advanced technology. Training in the application of information technology contributes to post war and post conflict development."

The MDTD Director Mr. S.Krishnananthan made the welcome speech.




NEPC Chief Secretary Mr. S.Rangarajah is seen opening the new computer centre (l-r) Dr.Dedo Geinitz, IFSP Trincomalee team leader, IFSP Project Director Ms Rohini Singarayer and extreme right MDTD Director Mr.S.Krishnananthan