Information and Communication Technology Academy is Launched

Under the patronage of UNESCWA Executive Secretary Mervat Tallawy, the Professional Computer Association of Lebanon (PCA) launched its first Information and Communication Technology Academy (PICTA) on 22 September 2006 at the Kamel Youssef Jaber Cultural and Social Center in Nabatiyeh. PICTA was established through cooperation between a consortium of international companies, government entities and national and international NGOs. This consortium included the Union of Arab ICT Associations (IJMA3), Mercy Corps, International Executive Service Corp (IESC), Lebanese Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform (OMSAR), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Microsoft, Intel Corporation, and Cisco Systems.

Mr. Yousef Nusseir, Chief of the ICT Division, represented UNESCWA at the launch ceremony, which was also attended by Lebanese MP Yassin Jaber, representatives from the Ministries of Telecommunications, Economy and Administrative Reform as well as supporting companies, municipality officials, and a large number of concerned people.

In his speech, Nusseir pointed out that the latest aggression on Lebanon undermined its development efforts, including many United Nations projects. He also considered launching PICTA to be in line with the continuous efforts of UNESCWA and its partners to support Lebanon in its endeavor for reconstruction, especially through harnessing the role of ICT to provide an empowering structure for social and economical development. MP Jaber thanked Tallawy for her patronage of the event, applauding UNESCWA’s role in development in Lebanon and offering Nusseir a commemorative plaque.

Launching this Academy constitutes the first phase of an ICT development project which seeks to open ten comparable centres that offer free workshops to all segments of the local community, particularly those areas hard-hit by the latest war on Lebanon. The Academy aims to strengthen local capacities and empower people to benefit from available employment opportunities and improve their living conditions. Subsequently, other centres will be equipped in different areas, including Burj Al Barajneh, Marjeyoun, Baalbeck, Qana, Bint Jbeil, Hasbayyah, and Batroun. These academies will be managed by local partners from civil organizations and NGOs as part of a course of action that will ultimately lead to a transfer of the ownership and management of the project to the local partner and to its continuity.