RIYADH, 31 July — Don’t be surprised if OFWs in the Kingdom would become noted for producing the most number of computer-savvy Filipino community abroad.

As of yesterday, a total of 635 community members registered in 31 computer classes to be held in three venues — Al-Taj International School, International Philippine School-Riyadh (IPSR), and Riyadh International School (RIS).

Organized by the Computer Society of Filipinos (Comsofil), the classes, which are free of charge, are to be held on Thursdays and Fridays.

On June 20, 400 trainees graduated from the first semester.

“For those who would like to avail of the program, some of the classes are still open for registration,” said June Zoilo, Comsofil vice president for education.

The classes still open are: MS Access (Advance), AutoCAD 2000, Visual Basic Programming 6, Linux, and Photoshop.

On the other hand, Web Development (Basic HTML), Visual Basic Programming, PC hardware assembly, Office Productivity 1 (Windows XP and Word 2000), and MS Access (Basic) are the separate classes for women.

Aside from Visual Basic Programming 6 and Linux, all the other offered courses need no pre-requisites. The student needs to take MS Access first before he qualifies to enroll in Visual Basic Programming 6. Whereas, Linux has Networking as pre-requisite.

Another course which is also being offered is Flash/Dream Weaver — for the enhancement and advancement of website design. Interested parties may contact Henry McCann, president, at 052866813, Rolly Manzano at 052922028, and Zoilo at 054299014.

The instructors are composed of current and past directors. Some are volunteer Information Technology (IT) practitioners. All the instructors receive no remuneration for their services.

The only amount a participant has to shell out is SR150 to pay for the venue, and training materials such as hand-outs and interactive tutorial CDs, rentals for computers, multimedia, projector and other materials.

Since its formation in 1995, Comsofil has provided its members and the Filipino community in Riyadh monthly seminars and workshops on computers and IT related topics, bi-semestral educational cluster programs, technical assistance to Filipino community schools in Riyadh and to the Philippine Embassy; and active assistance and participation in POLO and OWWA’s projects and activities.

Comsofil is an Accredited Community Partner (ACP) of the Philippine Embassy, and an affiliate member of the Philippine Computer Society (PCS) and the Philippine Internet Commerce Society (PICS).