Progress Report November 2004

ITTPO is an independent, non-profit, and a federal tax exempt (501 (c) (3)) organization in the USA and an approved NGO in Sri Lanka.

Progress Report – November 2004

Highlights

· New VanniTech Board

· New President for VanniTech

· VanniTech held it's very first Convocation

· VanniTech Academics

· ITTPO's TechShack at VanniTech wins many high-tech projects and employs many first batch graduates

· VanniTech Graduates employed

· Visitors to VanniTech

· New Employees at VanniTech

· ITTPO's Fundraising

· VanniTech in Public Forums

· VanniVision '04: First ever high-tech showcase in Northeast Sri Lanka

Report

· New VanniTech Board

Ø New Board of Governors of VanniTech was elected on March 6^th, 2004.

Ø ITTPO Board congratulates the new VanniTech board of Governors and looking forward to work with them.

Ø VanniTech has been registered as an NGO in Kilinochchi.

· New President for VanniTech

Ø Mr. T. Shantharahavan has been appointed as the Acting President of VanniTech. Mr. Rahavan was the Director of Academic Affairs at VanniTech.

· VanniTech held it's very first Convocation

Ø History was made on August 8^th, 2004 as VanniTech’s first batch graduated. 52 graduates with 30 females from several districts of Northeast Sri Lanka received their certificates at the convocation.

Ø Professor S. Mohanadas, Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna, was the chief guest of the ceremony.

Ø Mr. Vimal Rajagopal, Board of Directors, represented ITTPO and delivered ITTPO Chairman’s message.

Ø Dr. Siva Gopal, President of VanniTech, presided the event.

Ø Mr. S. P. Thamilsevan, Vanni Political Head, graced the occasion as a special guest.

Ø ITTPO wishes the new graduates success in their new endeavors and thanks donors, contributors and VanniTech staff for making VanniTech a success story.

· VanniTech Academics

Ø VanniTech’s first batch of students successfully completed their program in March 2004. In the final quarter, students worked very hard on their Field Deployable Projects (FDP) and collaborated with local industry to identify and solve some real life problems.

Ø Second batch started their First quarter classes in May 2004 and completed their quarter in August. Now, 2^nd quarter classes are in progress.

Ø VanniTech again offered the same 4 programs of study, but expanded the duration to 1 year (4 quarters) as a gradual progression to eventually attaining full-fledged 4-year degree Program.

Ø There were about 170 applicants and finally 57 of them including 30 females from several districts of Northeast Sri Lanka are admitted into the program.

Ø First Quarter courses are common for all 4 programs of study concentrating on English, Computer Basics and Introduction to Technology.

· ITTPO’s TechShack wins many projects and employs many first batch graduates

Ø TechShack wins many local and international high-tech projects and expands its activities.

Ø TechShack employs many first batch VanniTech graduates on a full-time basis.

· VanniTech Graduates employed

Ø VanniTech’s graduates are in high demand locally and most of them are employed by NGOs and local institutions.

· Visitors to VanniTech

Ø Mr. Jey Surier, CTO of ITTPO, volunteered at VanniTech for a sensational period of 13 months and 13 days as the First President of VanniTech. He was, focused, systematic and untiring in reaching ITTPO’s goal of establishing VanniTech.

Ø Mr. Ruban Navaruparajah, an ITTPO Director - Public Relations, visited VanniTech and spent a very productive week there. He helped the students in Quality Assurance, and GUI aspects of FDP and participated in Demos. He also represented ITTPO in first VanniTech Board meeting, and VanniVision 04.

Ø Mr. Ruban Kanapathipillai, Vice-Chairman of ITTPO, visited VanniTech during first week of 2^nd batch starting. He streamlined the 1^st quarter courses with the help of instructors. Also, he explored the possibilities of institutional funding for VanniTech and made representations to International Organizations in Colombo.

Ø Mr. Vimal Rajagopal, an ITTPO Director, visited VanniTech in July/August 2004. He represented ITTPO at the convocation ceremony and streamlined TechShack operations with the view of expanding and accommodating more VanniTech graduates as employees.

Ø Mrs. Punitham Selvaratnam from U.K. volunteered in the 1^st Quarter teaching English.

Ø Ms. Manivillie Kanagasabapathy, a TSVP (Canada) intern, is currently volunteering at VanniTech, teaching English.

Ø If you are interested in contributing towards course work development or would like to volunteer, please contact rubankk@ittpo.org

· New Employees at VanniTech

Ø VanniTech was fortunate enough to hire some new employees.

Ø More information about the VanniTech faculty can be found at www.vanni.org

· ITTPO’s Fundraising

Ø ITTPO’s annual fundraising started in May 2004.

Ø The proposed second year budget is USD $140,000.

VanniTech at Public forums

Ø Prestigious San Francisco Chronicle interviewed some of the ITTPO directors and the First President of VanniTech and ran a story in its Business column.

Ø ITTPO held VanniTech 1 year completion event in San Jose California. Mr. Jey Surier, CTO of ITTPO and ex-President of VanniTech was felicitated by ITTPO for his tireless and dedicated service to the establishment of VanniTech. One poet from Vanni described him as “Rising Sun” who has a vision of an Elephant.

Ø ITTPO presented “VanniTech – A Success Story” at THO-USA inauguration event in New Jersey in May 2004.

Ø ITTPO presented its progress and future plans in Lancaster California in June 2004.

Ø ITTPO presented its progress and future projects in the San Francisco Bay Area at the Tamils of Northern California (TNC)’s annual fundraiser.

Ø ITTPO presented “VanniTech – A Success Story” at FeTNA annual Thamilar Thiruvilla event in Baltimore, USA in July 2004.

Ø ITTPO presented an animated slide show and a pictorial presentation of VanniTech progress at the TechExpo event in Toronto in August 2004.

Ø VanniTech convocation event was widely covered by Sri Lankan and international media including newspapers, on-line publications, TV and Radio.

· VanniVision '04: First Ever High-Tech Showcase in Northeast Sri Lanka

Ø The graduates of VanniTech showcased their technical prowess through VanniVision ’04, in a 2-day Technical exhibition held on March 6^th and 7^th in VanniTech campus. VanniVision ’04 is one of ITTPO’s on going effort to educate the general community in High Technology.

Ø Mr. Puleethevan, Secretary General, Peace Secretariat, Killinochi was the Chief Guest and inaugurated the exhibition.

Ø Mr. Ruban Navaruparajah, Board of Director, represented ITTPO.

Ø About 1000 visitors from technology starved local community, NGOs, INGOs, and local schools benefited from this technological extravaganza.

§ VanniTech Director of Academic Program, Mr. Rahavan Thangathurai organized this event.

Ø ITTPO congratulates VanniTech students and Staff for this successful event and thanks the well-wishers who generously contributed to the VanniVision Award.

Ø More information and pictures on VanniVision ‘04 is found at: http://www.vanni.org/news/index.htm

· Finally, things are progressing very well but we do need your continuous support to sustain and grow VanniTech. As we have mentioned previously, VanniTech must be supported by all of us until it becomes self-sufficient. 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.