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Progress Report – February 2004
Highlights
· Computer Awareness Program in Northeast Sri Lanka by VanniTech Students · ITTPO Inaugurates TechShack for Employment Development and UNDP Awards Network Installation Project. · ITTPO Proposes TechPark for VanniTech Graduates
Report
Ø New Board of Directors of ITTPO was elected in November 2003. o The New Directors are: § Chairman of the Board - Dr. Ratnam Sooriyakumaran § Vice Chairman - Mr. Ruban Kanapathippillai § Secretary - Mr. Kan Suseenthiran § Assistant Secretary - Mr. Kumara Tharmalingam § Treasurer - Miss. Dhamy Rajendra § Assistant Treasurer - Mr. Ravi Veerasingam § Director of Public Relations - Mr. Ruban Navaruparajah § Chief Technical Officer - Mr. Jey Kumara Surier § Director - Mr. Sashi Balasingam § Director - Mr. Shankar Subramaniam § Director - Mr. Pran Punniamoorthy § Director - Mr. Vimal Rajagopal § Director - Dr. N.A. Ranjithan § Director - Dr. M.Sreetharan § Director - Mr. Anthan Sunder § Auditor - Mr. Dev Vamathevan Ø ITTPO Board wishes to express its gratitude to out going Director Mr. Suren Siva for his valuable contributions to ITTPO.
Ø Kreston MNS & Co of Colombo, a reputed auditing firm in Sri Lanka, has audited VanniTech account for the period February 01 – August 31, 2003. Ø The audit report was produced and approved at ITTPO’s Annual General meeting in November 2003.
Ø VanniTech students completed Quarter II successfully in November. Ø Quarter III classes started in December and are expected to be completed in the middle of February Ø Quarter III classes focus on advanced specialized classes as well as Field Deployable Projects (FDP). Group of three students form a team and the teams are working with local industries to solve real life problems as FDPs. Every student group identified an FDP in the beginning of the Quarter and is expected to complete the project by the end of the quarter. Ø Thanks to the course work developers, all the course work development for Quarter III was completed on time.
· Computer Awareness Program in Northeast Sri Lanka by VanniTech Students Ø As increasing the computer awareness of the people is one of the goals of ITTPO, VanniTech students and faculty conducted a “Computer Awareness Program” throughout Northeast Sri Lanka during the first quarter break. This successful program achieved its goal under the guidance of VanniTech Director of Academic Program, Mr. Rahavan Thangathurai. Some of the highlights of the program: § It was completely driven by the VanniTech students. § It took place not only in the VanniTech premises, but also in some field sites in the Northeast. § This program covered seventeen schools from five districts in the Northeast. More than 1000 students benefited. § Programs were held for more than three hours for each participant. Also most of the participants were given hands on experience. § For the field demonstrations, students went with laptop computers. § The Government Agent (G.A.) of Mannar also participated in a field seminar at Pattima M.M.V. in Mannar Ø ITTPO congratulates VanniTech students and Staff for this successful event. Ø More information on the program is found at: http://ittpo.org/Document/VanniTech_QbpReport_10-21-03-web.pdf
· ITTPO inaugurates TechShack for Employment Development and UNDP Awards Network Installation Project Ø In order to meet the local demand for solutions to computer, printer, and other peripheral problems, ITTPO inaugurated TechShack, VanniTech’s employment incubation center. Ø TechShack employs VanniTech students on a part-time basis and the students gain valuable hands-on experience. Ø As an important milestone in the history of TechShack, local UNDP office awarded the Network Installation and Configuration project to TechShack. TechShack completed the contract work ahead of schedule and the customer was satisfied with the service provided.
· ITTPO Proposes TechPark for VanniTech Graduates Ø In order to create employment opportunity to VanniTech graduates, ITTPO proposes to establish a Technology Park (TechPark) in Killinochchi. Ø Groups of VanniTech graduates will start small ventures to undertake high-tech contract work. Ø Through donations from well-wishers, seed money will be provided to each group to jump-start the activities. Ø There are already some projects in the pipeline. ITTPO is soliciting additional projects from international and local entrepreneurs in the area of database and web development, network and system administrations and basic electronic hardware services.
Ø Mr. Sashi Balasingam, an ITTPO Director, visited VanniTech and spent a very productive week there. He conducted special lectures and participated in Demos. Ø Dr. N.A.Ranjithan, an ITTPO Director, visited VanniTech at the end of December 2003. Ø Dr. Ratnam Sooriyakumaran, Chairman of ITTPO, visited VanniTech in early January 2004. Ø Dr. Siva Gopal from USA and Katpana Nagendra, a TSVP volunteer from Canada, taught English to the VanniTech students for few months. Ø Andy Camp, an employee of Microsoft from USA, volunteered a week in VanniTech teaching Windows Administration and Application Servers. Ø Sri Arumugam and Tristan Hromnik from USA spent 6 weeks at VanniTech. Sri Arumugam taught C# and Advanced Web Development. Tristan taught English, Technical Writing, and Project Management. Ø Impressive testimonials on VanniTech operations, from several visitors. Ø If you are interested in contributing towards course work development or would like to volunteer, please contact rubankk@ittpo.org
Ø Dr. Siva Gopal from USA is succeeding Mr. Jey Surier as the President of VanniTech from February 2004. Ø VanniTech was fortunate enough to hire a number of staff recently. Ø More information about the VanniTech faculty can be found at www.vanni.org
Ø ITTPO’s annual fundraising will start in March 2004. Ø The proposed second year budget is USD $140,000.
Ø VisionTV from Canada visited VanniTech and covered VanniTech and TSVP volunteer work. On June 21st, Canadian Tamil Radio hosted VanniTech discussion related to inauguration in their prime time talk show. Ø Star TV from Hong Kong had a short film on VanniTech. Ø Canadian Tamil Radio (CTR) interviewed VanniTech president at a live show. Ø BBC world service had a short film and news item covering VanniTech, students and staff. Please find the story at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3200740.stm
· Finally, things are progressing very well but we cannot be complacent. We have a lot more to accomplish. Soon we’ll need to collect funds for the Second year of operation. We also would like to encourage everyone to actively participate in this project by sharing your knowledge for the development of course work, donating books and equipment, local employment opportunities for graduates, or just paying a visit to VanniTech. |
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Last updated on 04/08/2007 10:06 AM - Copyright © ITTPO, 2005. |
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