UNCRD & BMA Sponsors I.T. Training at A.U.

Rector Dr. Komolmas giving welcoming speech to participants of training course organised by UNCRD Africa & BMA at Room A 51.

Rector Dr. P. Martin Komolmas in a commemorative photo with U.N. trainees taken on the steps of Salle de Expo on April 22.

A training session being conducted at the Multi-media Room (A 51).

The above course organised by the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD), Africa Office and Bangkok Metropolitant Administration (BMA) in collaboration with Assumption University was held during April 22- May 4,2002 and the following are the relevant details.

Objective
The main objective of the training course was to improve the participants’ skills and knowledge in IT development and applications. By focusing on the case of Thailand, with a particular emphasis on the experience of Bangkok, the course aimed at assisting African and Asian policymakers as well as administrators to acquire the skills and competence they require to design and implement effective IT development policies and strategies. More specifically, the training course aimed at:

  1. developing a better understanding of the socio-technology trends that are restructuring cities and shaping future comparative advantage:
  2. addressing policy issues and challenges relevant to enabling the new technologies in urban development and the functioning of local government;
  3. addressing the impacts of the new technologies on developing African as well as Asian economies and cities;
  4. increasing the level of awareness among African and Asian policymakers about the development of national IT strategies and policies in Thailand; and
  5. providing a platform for African and Asian policymakers to exchange views and experiences about the development of the information technologies and information-based settlements as well as the applications of IT.
Teaching Method
The course utilized UNCRD’s output-oriented participatory training method to effectively communicate with the participants and ensure internalization of the concepts and issues covered during the training course. More specifically, the course used a variety of sharing and learning training methods, including formal presentation, case studies, field visits, discussions and group work, to provide the participants with diverse insights on the challenges and new experiences in promoting IT development. Participants had the opportunity to examine at close range the key aspects of IT development in Thailand. To enrich the sharing of experiences, participants attending the course were required to prepare their own country case studies on IT development and applications experience, including a brief profile of the development, application, implementation programs, the problems, challenges and the achievements.

Participants
The participants were mid-to senior-level planners and administrators involved in the development and application of IT in their respective countries. The course was offered for twenty participants from Africa (Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania and Uganda) and Asia (Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam). On completion of the training course, the participants were expected to share their learning experiences with their colleagues when they return to their respective workstations. The course was offered in English and therefore the participants were expected to have a good command of the English language (spoken and written).

Resource Team
Leading researchers, academics and practitioners involved in different facets of IT applications and development in Bangkok served as resource team for the course. They brought to the course real life situations and case studies to enhance the learning process. Most of the resource persons were from Assumption University that is hosting the training course. These experts will be identified and selected by BMA to participate in the training workshop.

Venue and Duration
The course began on 22 April and ended 4 May 2002. The training course was held at the:
Assumption University
Ram Khamhaeng Rd., Soi 24
Hua Mak, Bangkok 10240 Thailand
Tel (662) 300-4543-63
Fax (662) 719-1521
http://www.au.ac.th 

	

	



	
	


	
			
	

	

	
	

	
	

	

		







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