JEDDAH, 20 March 2006 — At least 154 more Filipinos in Jeddah have just joined the ranks of the computer-literate, thanks to the OFW Cooperative Council (OFWCC).
The fresh graduates completed the last of an eight-Friday training last week, covering Microsoft modules on Windows XP, MS Word 2003, MS Excel 2003, MS PowerPoint 2003, MS Access 2003, Basic Computer Networking, Basic Webpage using MS FrontPage 2003 & Internet Browsing, and PC Assembly.
The hands-on training was conducted by Rodolfo T. Carillo, a Microsoft-certified professional, assisted by Jaime Leonida, a programmer, and Ernesto Geslani, an engineer. All three are past chairmen of the organizing council.
Geslani said the recently completed training was the 18th series since the OFWCC held the first one in April 1999.
“From the start up to this latest one, we have about 1,600 participants,” he said.
Geslani recalled that when the council held its first seminar series, there were 55 participants and they had only one computer for three participants. The operating system then was MS Windows 95 and MS Office 97.
“Now we have more computers and more participants have their own laptops,” he said.
During last week’s graduation ceremony at the Tropicana Restaurant, where the seminar was also held, Administrative Officer Camilo Mendiola of the Philippine Consulate General, cited the participants for giving priority to “continuing education” despite time constraints and other limitations.
The current council chairman, Abdullah P. San Pedro, awarded certificates of completion to the participants.
Jaime Leonida, one of the lecturers, encouraged the participants to avail of other services of the council on cooperative formation and business entrepreneurship, in the light of job displacements in the Kingdom.
Another highlight of the ceremony was the awarding of a plaque of appreciation to William V. Ansis, immediate past chairman of the OFWCC.
Ansis joins eight other past chairmen, who, “in keeping with tradition, continue to chair various committees to carry out continuously the vision and mission of the council...”
The OFWCC also helps conduct trainings on entrepreneurship and cooperative development among its member groups.
The 19th Computer Literacy Seminar is scheduled for the middle of the year. (i>(With a report by Mohammad Issa de Jesus)
