Basyang is the Least of their Worries

CICT’s iSchools Project conducts Project Design & Management Training

Braving the heavy winds and unyielding downpour of tropical storm Basyang, 34 project managers representing different State Universities and Colleges (SUC) converged to attend the iSchools Project’s Project Design & Project Management Training-Workshop. The training-workshop is being held in Costa Palmera Resort, Sto. Domingo, Albay from July 12-17, 2010.

The 34 project managers represent the SUCs that partnered with the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) to implement the iSchools Project to its 320 recipient schools nationwide. Most of these project managers are professors, directors and even deans recruited from the Information Technology departments of these universities and colleges.

At the end of the training-workshop, the participants should understand the principles of managing a development project; and undergo a thorough workshop on project designing and planning. To validate this, attendees will have to come up with a development project proposal.

The training is somewhat bittersweet since the iSchools Project is facing an uncertain future inherent in every change in administration. It must be noted however, that the Project is currently undergoing the last phases of its implementation. Funds have already been transferred to some SUCs that will be implementing a slew of roll-out training in the coming months.

“It is true we are anxious about who will become the next CICT Chairman,” shares Toni Torres, iSchools Project Manager, “since he or she will have to face a lot of challenges right away.”

“Our fear is that without a CICT Chairman, the new government will neglect to push through with what we committed to our 320 recipient schools. We are hopeful that President Aquino will consider,” she adds.

Each recipient school will get 21 computer units, a one-year internet subscription, and a set of ICT training. The training covers basic internet literacy, elibrary management, laboratory management and web development.

Still, Torres remains undeterred.

“Even without the President designating a head for CICT, the iSchools Project and its allies will continue to deliver the services and training we promised our recipient schools.”

“In fact,” Torres adds, “we braved a storm for it.”