Wisconsin University offers free training in ICT
More than 150 young people from 38 schools in the country have been equipped with basic information technology skills at a programme in Accra.
Advertisement
The participants were trained on how to use the Microsoft Office Suite, Website Design and Development, as well as the Internet and Email.
The free training exercise, organised by Wisconsin International University College (WIUC), brought together school leavers who have recently completed their Senior High School (SHS) and were either awaiting results or attending remedial classes. The programme is expected to end on Saturday, August 5, 2017 when the learners would be presented with certificates.
They would also be offered the opportunity to tour the university’s facilities, interact with faculty and staff members and also enjoy a free health screening exercise.
Significance
The Head of the Information Technology (IT) Department at Wisconsin’s School of Computing and Technology, Dr Nana Kofi Annan, underscored the need for people to have knowledge on IT as the subject cut across every profession.
“Information Technology now cuts across every profession, from medicine and engineering to law, education and entrepreneurship, you name it. It is, therefore, essential for every individual who wishes to be successful in any field to gain basic I.T. skills,” he stated.
Way forward
For his part, the Director of Public Affairs & Marketing of the university, Mr Jacob Fynn, said the training programme formed part of the key Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities on Wisconsin’s calendar.
He said the university had provided three sessions of the free IT programme to young people within it’s catchment area.
“I am very encouraged to see that young people, parents and guardians are seeing the value of the IT skills training we are offering. We hope to see even more students attending our programmes in future,” the director added.
Mr Fynn urged organisations to partner the university to improve the skills of young people by equipping them with the necessary technologies to thrive in the globalised world.
On behalf of his colleagues, Nana Amuasi Adomako expressed appreciation to the university, stating that “I have really improved my knowledge in IT From here, I am going to try to create an App to publish my stories or a book in future.”
The WIUC
Wisconsin International University College, Ghana, has offered the free IT training sessions three times over the past five years. The programme is held during the university’s long vacation period, which runs from June to August. Other free educational programmes such as Sign Language Classes for 8-12 year-olds are also organised during this period.