Palestinian Information Technology Association of companies

Commencement ceremony for CISCO, LINUX, A++ training courses in cooperation with UNDP/PAPP

 Palestinian Information Technology Association of companies (PITA) organized a commencement ceremony on Tuesday 8/13/2002 for 60 trainees that have completed a UNDP/PAPP supported training program. The participants received training in CISCO, LINUX, A+. These programs were selected after careful review of the ICT companies’ needs in Gaza.

 Mr. Khalid Abd El Shafi, Director of UNDP/PAPP Gaza, Mr. Johan Brisman, a representative of the Swedish government, which funded the program, and Mr. Ahmed Abu Marzouq, vice chairman of PITA attended the ceremony and conducted the certificate awarding to the trainees.  In addition to the graduating trainees, PITA members in Gaza, and key governmental and non governmental figures from various sectors participated in the ceremony.

 Mr. Abu Marzouq started the ceremony by presenting PITA’s speech.  The speech included a welcome statement to the attendants as well as the guests.  It also included a briefing about PITA’s history, activities and service programs, future plans, as well as its relations with local and international institutions.  Some of the program details, selection criteria were also presented to the crowd.  A word of thanks to UNDP, Swedish Government, and DAI/MAP concluded PITA’s speech.

 Mr. Khaled Abdel Shafi, presented a brief speech on UNDP/PAPP role in the development of the Palestinian economic sectors and its relations with its representative associations.  He also illustrated the overall project idea and how 68 local organizations benefited from this training fund over the past year.  Mr. Abdel Shafi showed appreciation for PITA’s role and high coordination in this program which was planned for, implemented and concluded in a smooth and professional pattern.  UNDP Director finally wished success for all the participants and hoped that cooperation with PITA will continue in the near future in similar projects.

 Mr. Johan Brisman spoke on behalf of the Swedish government and illustrated how his people and government are happy to be of assistance to the development of Palestine under the current hard circumstances.  He presented his government’s impression on the implementation of the process between UNDP and local institutions and how he found it to be of high value to the Palestinians.  The Swedish representative also promised to continue providing support for such important projects and expressed his admiration of the nature of this project and the advancement of Palestinians in the ICT sector which reflects on the quality of the selected programs.

 Afterwards, the trainees were called upon to receive their certificates of award by PITA, UNDP, and the Swedish representatives.  Light refreshments were offered to the attendants upon the certificate awarding and social meetings took place among the various companies and organizations representatives.  PITA also utilized this event for distributing its directory and many other public relations activities.  It is worth mentioning that DAI/MAP has helped PITA in making the event possible and successful by their careful dedication and professional assistance.