145 Sri Lankans for ITEC program

The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program confers benefits on trainees from 159 countries, and Sri Lanka is delighted that 145 slots have been allocated to our country this year, Minister of External Affairs Professor G.L. Peiris said as the chief guest at the ITEC day ceremony in Colombo recently.

The Minister said the program, inaugurated in 1964, is a useful instrument in South-South cooperation. In a situation where there is sharp focus on South Asia as an economic growth centre in a global context, skills development is an essential priority. This is especially appropriate, since the countries of the region represent a reservoir of human resources of unique calibre, he said.

Prof. Peiris referred to the dramatically increasing employment opportunities for youth in South Asia in the current economic and social environment, and pointed out the critical need to provide a structured program of training to develop skills for which there is a practical demand.

One of the commendable features of the program, the Minister noted, is the market-driven approach which has been consistently adopted. More than 5,000 students are being trained in 46 institutes in both the public and private sectors.

It is especially noteworthy, the Minister continued, that the emphasis in the curricula is being constantly revamped and modified to cater to emerging priorities. The areas in which training is provided include information technology, linguistics, computer studies, rural development and entrepreneurship, and the 230 short and long-term courses on offer in 46 institutions have recently been expanded to include subjects such as renewable energy and mining techniques.

India's High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha commented on the provision of an opportunity, as part of the agenda, for three alumni of the ITEC program to make their observations on the value of their experience in India.

The reflections by the alumni - from Wayamba University, Board of Investment and Ministry of Trade and Commerce-amply demonstrated the practical usefulness of the program and its contribution to the success of their future careers.

High Commissioner Kantha recalled that President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had resolved, during President Rajapaksa's visit to India last year, to establish a knowledge bridge between the two countries. He identified this concept, founded on recognition of the importance of collaboration in education, vocational training and technology transfer, as a crucial element of bilateral initiatives in the human resource development sector.

He described the substantial impact of the ITEC program on schools, hospitals, universities and other institutions in the beneficiary countries and the consequent enrichment of community life.