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IT training for Pakistani nationals gets under way

DUBAI - After a delay of several months, the Pakistan Association Dubai recently started its IT classes for Pakistani expatriates - but not without a slight hitch.

"The classes have been a hit and we are going fully booked," said General Secretary of Pakistan Association, Saleem Farooq.

"But unfortunately, we cannot expand the classes as per demand from the Pakistani expatriates due to the ongoing rift over a locked hall between the association and the Pakistan Business Council (PBC). According to Mr Saleem, some members of the PBC locked the main hall, located at the premises of the association, as the council was using it earlier.

"We are still trying to negotiate with the Pakistan Consulate to hand over the keys so that the project can be expanded," he informed.

The association recently started its new classes, one in the morning and one in the evening. In each class, 12 students get free training on how to operate the computer.

"This is in accordance with the association's aim to provide every possible help to Pakistanis so that they can get better job opportunities and improve their status in the society," explained Mr Farooq. "At the end of the programme, certificates will be distributed to the trainees to acknowledge their participation," he added.

In November 2003, the Pakistan Association's Technology Centre (PATC) was launched in collaboration with the Pakistan IT Professionals Forum for the benefit of Pakistani expatriates.

"We were supposed to start these classes in November with 150 computers donated by the IT Forum but due to space constraint at the Pakistan Association Sports and Recreation Centre, we have only been able do so now," said Shafi Samana, President, Pakistan Association.

The response from the public is huge while the instructors from the Pak IT Forum are also willing to spend more time in training the students, he said.