RIYADH, 1 May — If you're an OFW in Riyadh and you want to learn more about computer hardware and software, this training program may just be the opportunity you've been looking for.

Opening on Friday, the program is being organized by a group of Filipino computer engineers who wish to share their expertise with their kababayan.

The Institute of Computer Engineers-Riyadh (ICE-R) said this will actually be the third training they are organizing under their continuing Computer Hardware Engineering (CHE), Networking and Introduction to Programming seminar.

Ariel M. Gaan, Jr., ICE-R president, announced the opening of the activity as the seminar for the second batch comprising 80 trainees drew to a close.

Gaan said forthcoming training will be held at the 2nd Philippine International School in Suleimania District.

ICE-R offers three modules, designed by Gaan himself, who has a master's degree in computer engineering.

The training program is virtually free of charge. Participants have to shell out only SR50 for each of the three modules, which will cover expenses for manuals, certificates, rental of venue, among others.

It would take a participant 20 hours or 5-Fridays sessions to complete the first module — Computer Hardware Engineering (CHE).

Networking, the second module, requires 16 hours to complete.

The third module, Introduction to Programming with Logic Formulation, also requires 16 hours.

Gaan assured that trainees would learn the basics of computer and its operation, and hardware expertise which include troubleshooting, familiarization, with parts, assembly and disassembly, and software configuration and installation.

"Quality training is very important to ensure that our graduates become successful," Gaan stressed.

He pointed out that each trainee has to undergo a grueling individual interview, actual assembly and disassembly, and troubleshooting, and written examination before he qualifies to receive a certificate.

Quality

To prove his claim, Gaan showed this writer a text message he received the other day from Rommel Biag, one of the graduates of the first batch who is currently on vacation in the Philippines.

"Sir, thanx tlaga ngamit ko tlaga ang training ko nkgawa ako ng dalawang computr, ty tlaga sir, romel," said the text message of Biag, who works as a tea boy in a car dealership company in Riyadh.

Ernesto David, Jr., on the other hand, was a salesman in a computer showroom before he joined the training.

"Since my employer learned that I was attending the training, he transferred me to the assembly division," he narrated.

True enough, immediately after David graduated, the certificate he earned from the training served as his passport for promotion. David now works officially as computer technician.

At present, Gaan said that ICE-R has five educators who are duly certified by either Microsoft or CISCO. He added that all the educators receive no remuneration for their services.

"A lady educator who is also a computer engineer is assigned to conduct a separate classes for women," Gaan explained.

Expansion

Founded in July 1, 2001, ICE-Riyadh is an exclusive organization of computer engineers. Currently, it has a total of 70 registered computer engineers.

Gaan said they plan to organize computer engineers in Dammam and in the United Kingdom very soon so that more members of the Filipino community abroad would be served.

ICE-R is an accredited member of the Philippine Institute of Computer Engineers, Inc. (PhICEs), a non-profit organization.

The institute is also certified by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and registered under Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Philippine Embassy.

Those who wish to participate may contact Ariel Gaan Jr. at 053-410674; Norma Urian, vice president for education, at 053-241476; Elbert Elegino, VP for membership, at 053-123438; Robert Mananquil, VP for logistics at 053-294275; and Elly Bantilo, VP for finance, at 054-160320.