Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has appreciated Telenor Pakistan's efforts "as a responsible corporate citizen" and has called the expansion of its Telecom Futures program to Attock "an auspicious sign for the local community."
"As a model program, if implemented and expanded with genuine commitment, it will Insha Allah help develop a strong human resources base in the field of telecommunication, delete reliance on expensive expatriate resources, and enable the local youth to generate income for themselves and their families," he said in a special message, which was read out to the audience at the launch ceremony of Telecom Futures in Attock.
In the message he said: "In the last few years, our investment-friendly policies have facilitated one of the most dynamic and fastest growing telecom markets in the world. The sector today constitutes 2 percent of Pakistan's GDP with the tele-density that has increased from 4 percent in 2003 to 35 percent in 2007. One major benefit of the advent of international telecommunication players into the local market, which is often ignored, is the influx of innovative thinking and fresh approaches to helping communities help themselves.
"Telenor Pakistan has been playing its role as a responsible corporate citizen with vigor and enthusiasm running several community support programs to empower the truly disadvantaged section of the society. I wish Telenor Pakistan the best in their endeavours."
The chief guest at the event, Federal Minister for Industries Jehangir Khan Tareen said, "The Telecom Futures program is an exemplary industry-academia partnership in the telecom sector, and such programs help in creating real opportunities for the Pakistani youth. The Government of Pakistan appreciates the efforts of Telenor Pakistan and Nokia Siemens Networks for taking the initiative through collaboration with the Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority. The program's formal expansion to Attock just after the World Telecom and Information Society Day 2007 sends the right message about the partners' focus on creating opportunities for the youth."
Minister of State for Environment Amin Aslam, who was the guest of honour, welcomed the program in Attock and promised his support to the institution and its industry partners.
Telenor Pakistan CEO Tore Johnsen said, "After the successful implementation of Telecom Futures at Tevta's Lahore campus, I am very pleased to see that the project model now has been replicated at Attock as well. Telenor Pakistan and its partners realise that vocational training institutes are building human capital from the lower socio-economic classes and there is huge opportunity and potential in this area.
The Telecom Futures program will build on Tevta's Higher National Diploma in Telecom by aligning curriculum with industry expectations, providing advanced trainings and rewards to teachers, sharing specialised equipment with students, and offering internships or jobs to suitable diploma holders.
At the end, what we want to create is a scalable model for implementation, an education and training model that improves the level of human resource created locally, and increases the employability of vocational diploma holders. We hope the project will bring real hope to the local youth."-PR
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