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National body vital to streamline IT education

by Talia Jayasekera

The Information Technology (IT) sector is rapidly gaining popularity in this country. IT education centres are mushrooming throughout the island to cater to this sudden influx of youth interest. Several hundreds of advertisements for IT degrees and diplomas circulate in the daily newspapers. Course fees are exorbitant for even three month crash courses but this does nothing to stem the growth of such centres. These institutes hand out certificates that are either locally or internationally recognised. Degree courses may be affiliated to various prestigious universities abroad or be a Government recognised certificate.

While most of these centres are genuinely equipped with the necessities for lecturing in IT, there are those so-called institutes which are illegal and not approved by the Government. These `centres' take large sums of money from would-be students, offering them quality service and efficient management. But this is quite the contrary once the course actually begins. Students have to deal with ill-qualified lecturers, mismatched time tables and grapple with apparently ignorant management. Then these centres mysteriously shut down with vague explanations, leaving the student to wonder whose pockets he unknowingly lined This not only fattens the con-artists but also disgraces the genuine institutions.

"There are a number of institutes in this country offering various diplomas or even fully fledged degrees", says the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) Managing Director Lalith Gamage. They do some good because they offer an opportunity for someone with no background in operating computers, a chance to have hands on experience".

"But the problem is that these numerous certificates confuse parents, students and even the employers. Parents often ask where they should send their children once the A-levels are completed but they have no one to really get this advice from. They are not equipped with the information they need to send their child to a good IT institute.

For example, once a two month Diploma course, offered by one of these unaffiliated centres, is completed, the parent assumes the child can automatically be hired in the IT industry. The employers are even more unaware as to how to evaluate the certificate as a result the individual will be hired with no real background in IT", he said.

"Institutes that are affiliated to the local and international universities have permission to offer IT degrees. The student is assured of quality and the degree. Here at the SLIIT, we offer a wide range of quality diplomas and degrees affiliated to a prestigious university.

We even plan to offer Post Graduate and Masters Degrees in the near future for professionals. At present we have over 3,000 students", said Gamage.

"The problem is this country has no legislation to stop these centres from opening. A centre can offer diplomas but not an entire degree. For that they have to get permission from the University and Degree Granting Committee", he said. "While there is some good being done through centres, often there is a bad side as well".

The Daily News also spoke with Association Computer Training Organisation Executive Director David Dominic who said these sub-standard centres have been in existence right from the start. "Only a very few institutes are actually registered. Of course there are the more well-known places that do offer quality service and certificates", he said.

"There are those centres that offer false scholarships that dupe both the parents and children. Take for example a private tutory - anyone can open such a place and organise classes. There is no law to say it is illegal. Therefore, in relation with IT centres, we set up something called the `Computer Training License', where the final certificate has to be authentic and recognised. At present we are looking for a national body to support our cause", said Dominic.

Corruption and underhand activities seem to go hand in hand in this country. For every successful venture that is set up, ten more imitations follow! As a result people are not getting their money's worth. They spend hard-earned money only to be cheated of what is rightfully theirs. Proper registration should be a must for these centres as well as the certificates they offer.

Information should be made available to the public so that they are not hoodwinked by those with profit in mind.

Astro-Vision launches Sinhala version of astrology software

Astro-Vision with its development centre in Cochin, India Astro-Vision launched Sinhala version of Astrology software recently. This new software includes a range of software for preparation of horoscopes with predictions, marriage compatibility, Gem recommendation, annual forecast and baby names.

In association with UVW PTE LTD. Colombo, Astro-Vision operates the Sinhala language versions of its software in Sri Lanka.

Programs such as LifeSign - Forecasting horoscope with predictions, SoulMate - For checking marriage compatibility and StarClock - Set of software tools for professional astrologers are accommodated in this new software. StarClock gives instantaneous planetary positions, transit tracking, determination of auspicious times for various occasions and many charts and calculations useful to the profession. Astro-Vision software can be used to set-up astrology centres or to expand existing businesses of cyber cafes, communication centres and bookshops. Astro-Vision is expanding their network of "Malayogam NetGroup" matrimonial data banks to Sri Lanka also. This will enable to search and find compatible life partners from anywhere in the world.

D-Link networking for large enterprises

"New D-Link networking solution products will provide end-to-end net working solutions for large enterprises in Sri Lanka and the new products is also set to bring much efficiency and higher productivity to business establishments", said Prabodh Vyas Director Sales D-Link India at a launch held at Hotel Oberoi recently. NetVision 2003 a new vision espoused for the enterprise networking in Sri Lanka focuses the crucial role that emerging technologies can play in business firms from cutting costs, improving efficiencies and sharing data to building networks and infrastructure for tomorrow, he said. Debug Computer peripherals is the local partner for D-link products.

"D-Link net working solutions products will help in decentralizing the business functions of large enterprises, said Maiz Najmudeen the Managing Director of Debug Computer Pvt Ltd. Well laid net working is very essential for a company to perform well with efficiency and high productivity cutting down the costs incurred", he said.

Shekhar Kulkarni General Manager (Sales) said: "In Sri Lanka most enduser were waiting for such kind of products for Small Medium Enterprise solutions now they can get value for money with new technology products".

NetVision 2003 projected the latest networks of the era which can be easily deployed within existing networks to deliver faster results and showcased the importance of Voice Over Internet Protocol, which is one of the crucial area ensuring huge saving and features rich applications by integrating voice, fax and data through cost-effective networks and solutions.

Newly launched technologies, products and solutions in networking and communications include Enterprise Networking, VOIP, Storage & Security, Internetworking, Metropolitan Area Networks, Structured Cabling, Video over IP and Wireless.

finNGO to Europe and USA

Asiasoft a software development and Business Consulting Company has developed finNGO a software project for financial and project management for NGOs.

AsiaSoft states that "finNGO the powerful and flexible tool differs from other standard packages because of its structure of levels to monitor the Financial and Operational aspect of programmes, thus supporting project-wise independency and donor-wise reporting". FinNGO which has several modules is integrated one to another to provide a seamless information flow across branch offices and regions.

AsiaSoft is confident that this is the solution to improve accounting and project management practices within NGOs' financial and management systems. Among the many key features one of the important features of this package is transparency of donor reporting.

With many non-governmental, non-profit and voluntary organizations supporting the current peace process the visibility of funding for various Programmes have increased. Interest in funding has been growing because of its rising need for Humanitarian & other services.

The foreign funding agencies, have over the years formulated systems & procedures to be followed during the evaluation & implementation of projects. These systems and procedures are in the areas of project evaluations, financial analysis, implementation issues, organizational procedures & systems.

AsiaSoft has completed many finNGO projects for some of the International & Local NGOs. These NGOs while involved in grassroot level interventions supporting the humanity firmly believed that automation of their financial systems and procedures would enable them to implement programmes in a more effective and efficient manner.

Together with its current customer base AsiaSoft hopes to take FinNGO to Europe and US this year.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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