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In India, NIIT involvement in schools is extensive.
In Tamil Nadu, for example, the company provides computer
training in 371 Government higher secondary schools.
Tamil Nadu is one of five Indian states whose emergence
as it hubs can be directly attributed to the ongoing
development for NIIT.
Through the NIIT at School programme, children receive
tuition in a full range of computer subjects up to advanced
specialties usually taught only at university level.
This means students can step straight from high schools
into IT employment.
Here in Fiji, NIIT intends to appoint a full time job
placement officer who will help its graduates find local
jobs. I believe it is even prepared to guarantee jobs
for first 100 diploma graduates. The NIIT qualification
is recognised internationally, and a course undertaken
in Fiji will earn credit towards a final year degree
programme at universities overseas.
Clearly, any programme that brings a world class IT
curriculum to schools at a low cost would have great
value in a Fiji context. If it can be done at no cost
to the tax payer, so much the better.
NIIT has tabled an interesting proposal. Students would
pay a nominal annual fee, while NIIT would train the
trainers and provide some equipment free of charge,
to get classes going.
You can be sure the Minister for Education will be examining
the idea and monitoring its progress with interest.
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Linked to this
proposal is the prospect NIIT and its Fiji partner, The
Review Group, providing free education at rural schools.
Ladies and gentlemen, in addition to its tremendous value
as an IT educator and new and important player in Fiji’s
growing IT industry, we welcome NIIT for one other reason.
This is its history of concern and support for the poor.
NIIT’s ‘Hole in the Wall’ project, funded
by the International Finance Corporation, has given some
of the poorest people in India and Cambodia an introduction
to computer technology. Adults, as well as children, are
learning computer basis, even in rural areas. This sounds
like a wonderful initiative.
Perhaps Fiji could get access to funds from the IFC to
help us do the same for some of our own needy citizens.
Let me now formally congratulate the Review Group, and
its Institute of Information Technology subsidiary on
bronging NIIT to Fiji. I especially commend Yash Gounder
as a loyal and devoted son of Fiji.
This project is a continuation of his many investments,
risking his own money to bring to Fiji the latest in Information
Technology. Vinaka vakalevu, Yash.
I also extend my acknowledgement to the Fiji Development
Bank, for playing its part in helping this project get
off the ground. Ladies and gentlemen, may all concerned
achieve their aspirations both for this promising new
company and for the IT industry in Fiji. |
