The Professional Computer Association of Lebanon, Intel, MercyCorps, IESC, Microsoft, CISCO, CA and UNDP launches training and technology centre in Baalbek

Inaugurated last month in collaboration with a group of international companies, including Intel, MercyCorps, IESC, Cisco, Microsoft, UNDP and CA as well as government entities and NGOs, the PCA ICT academy is set to provide opportunities for youth in displaced areas of Lebanon in order to nurture their skills and help them reach the next level of ICT proficiency. Also present at the opening which took place in Baalbek over Iftar, was Dr. Rami Lakkis of Lebanese Organization for Studies and Research in Baalbek.

The opening of this centre in Baalbek is part of a PICTA initiative launched last month with the mandate of developing fully equipped and staffed training and technology centers in seven Lebanese towns. The debut of these openings took place in Nabatiyeh last month and were hosted by Lebanese Minister of Culture, HE Yassin Jaber, member of the Lebanese Parliament as well as several officials. Upcoming openings include centres in Burj Al Barajneh, Qana, Bent Jbeil, Marjeyoun and Batroun. Three additional centers are planned within the next months.

Other parties involved in the PICTA initiative include Lebanon's Ministries of Telecom, Administrate Reform and Economy & Trade, as well as IDAL, ESCWA, UNESCO, Ijma3, WIT, and AMCHAM.

Commenting at the event in Baalbek, on behalf of the PICTA, Radwan Habli said, 'We have received tremendous support from the government as well as a number of private sector leaders who have all joined forces to provide unprecedented opportunities for youth of areas which have been affected by the recent unfortunate events in Lebanon. The centre in Nabatiyeh is up and running and has been hosting youths and adults who are keen to develop their ICT skills and embrace the opportunities.'

For Intel, the program is one of a number of schemes it is undertaking in Lebanon as part of Intel Digital Transformation Initiative in the Middle East and under its global 'World Ahead Program' which is aimed at enhancing lives by accelerating access to uncompromised technology for all, with its main focus on people in the world's developing communities.

Commenting on the opening of this centre, Abdulrahman Jarrar, Regional Government Affairs Manager for Intel Middle East, Turkey and Africa highlighted that sustaining this initiative and ensuring that the right training is in place are paramount to ensuring that the youth of these communities reap the benefits in the long-term.