Pakistan gifts IT Lab to Lankan School

The Government of Pakistan donated a fully equipped IT lab comprising 15 computers and related equipment to Hameed Al Husseinie College in Colombo, through its High Commission in Sri Lanka. The IT Lab will be used to impart IT knowledge and diploma certificates in various IT fields will be offered to present students as well as students who have left school but are interested to increase IT skills and improve prospects for better employment opportunities.

The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, Maj. Gen. Syed Shakeel Hussain inaugurated the Muhammad Ali Jinnah Computer Center along with the president and exco members of the Sri Lanka- Pakistan Friendship Association, representatives of the Old Boys Association as well as members of the College administration. High Commissioner, Shakeel Hussain emphasized the importance of Information Communication Technology in broadening the knowledge base of students. He called upon students to make maximum use of the facility to enhance their capabilities.

He said, he hoped the computer skills and training acquired at the Ali Jinnah Computer Centre will contribute towards the younger generation's academic pursuits and will help to enhance nation building capabilities.

He expressed the hope that youth will use this facility as a bridge to knowledge, creativity and innovation. He also reiterated Pakistan's continued support to Sri Lanka to enhance the younger generation's academic capabilities with better educational facilities.

Other speakers included Iftakhar Aziz, President Sri Lanka Pakistan Friendship Association, Dr Sarfaraz Ahmad Khan Sipra, Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan, Fazal Lafir, Dr Mehmood, M. Pathmasiri and Ms Nisha Kareem. The Hameed Al Husseinie College is the oldest Muslim College in Sri Lanka and has a long history spread over 130 years.

It was established in November 1884 as Al Madrasathul Khairiyyathul Islamiah school.The school was officially granted College status in 1991, and was re-named Hameed Al Husseinie College. It was elevated to a National School on July 26, 1996. Presently, the school has an enrollment of over 2200 students, with 120 teachers.

The Government of Pakistan, through its High Commission in Colombo has assisted various social sector organizations in Sri Lanka, both in the public and private sector, through various projects relating to education, health, housing, livelihood generation, water supply and sanitation, vocational training and cultural promotion.

As part of its efforts in the education sector, the Government and people of Pakistan have so far established over 35 computer centres throughout the Island, built state-of-the-art schools, awarded Jinnah Scholarships annually and y funded professional scholarships in Medicine, Engineering, Dentistry and Pharmacy.

The relationship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the field of education will help the future generation to have better prospects.