ICTA to host National ICT Capacity Summit '07

SUMMIT: To ensure growth and an increase in Sri Lanka's share in the fiercely competitive global market place, Sri Lanka's apex body for ICT policy and direction, the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) in close association with Industry leaders, academia and the government, will host the National ICT Capacity Summit (NICS) in August this year.

The concerted effort led by the industry will focus on specialised training, particularly human capital development to address the potential talent shortage and issues that have to be overcome if Sri Lanka were to be on par with their regional counterparts.

NICS, the first of its kind will be a one day conference, bringing together over 250 Industry leaders and specialists with a focus on identifying policies and actions to accelerate the growth of share of Sri Lanka's ICT potential. A series of workshops covering a range of industry specific topics will precede the summit while an awards night to felicitate top industry professionals and entrepreneurs who have contributed towards the industry will be the culmination of the event.

The objectives of this summit are broadly to review the current ICT-BPO capacity in Sri Lanka, look at future capacity needs and to make ICT a career choice by improving teaching capabilities and overall quality of ICT education. All of this requires increasing investments in ICT education.

Chairman of the Technical Committee and General Manager of Virtusa Corporation, Madu Ratnayake speaking on the forthcoming event said that this was a need of the hour.

"ICT is undoubtedly the next growth frontier for Sri Lanka and it needs sharpened focus and a robust and continuous strategy. NICS will be the first step in setting forth a unified vision, addressing the shortcomings and changing the landscape of the industry," continued Ratnayake.

Highlight of the summit is the two-day National ICT Career Fair targeted at advanced level students, school leavers & their parents, career counsellors, academia, professional institutes and other stakeholders. The career fair will create interest and awareness among students and parents on career opportunities in the ICT industry and job opportunities in the ICT industry.