Dr. Supachai says More IT Training Needed to Face World Competion American Corporations Support New Training Program in Lampang

Bangkok--Sep 15--ACT Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Supachai Panichpakdipresided over the signing of an agreement between Yonok College and theAmerican Corporations for Thailand (ACT) program to establish an IT trainingcenter to upgrade the skills of the unemployed in Northern Thailand. "More IT training programs like this one are needed if Thailand is to facethe increased competition that is coming under the second phase of the ITA(Information Technology Agreement)," Dr. Supachai said after the signingceremony. The deputy prime minister, who is also chairman of the Board of Governorsof Yonok College, said that Thailand was already in discussion on the ITA-2under the World Trade Organization (WTO) and needed to prepare for its impact. Under the Yonok-ACT grant agreement, support from the 44 million baht ACTprogram is provided for the establishment of an information technologycenter at Yonok College in Lampang Province. The center is already nearlycompleted and is due to be opened at a ceremony Friday. In the first year, the new center will train about 450 people from thenorthern provinces in computer skills such as word processing, spreadsheets,graphics, the Internet and networking. The ACT program is funded by major US companies to support training andeducation programs in Thailand. The corporate donors include Unocal,American Insurance Group (AIG), Motorola, Raytheon, General Electric, ChaseManhattan, and Union Carbide. Mr. Praves Ongartsittikul, Vice President of Chase Manhattan Bank,represented the donors at the ceremony at which the donation agreement wassigned by Dr. Nirund Jivasantikarn, President of Yonok College and Mr. PaulWedel, executive director of the Kenan Institute Asia (KIAsia), whichmanages the ACT program. The 1 million baht grant to the Yonok IT Center will upgrade it with newcomputer equipment and software. The center will also be strengthened bytechnical training and curriculum development assistance provided by twoprofessors from Baylor University in the United States. The training willprovide the workers with skills that will help them find employment andincrease the competitiveness of companies in the north. Dr. Supachai said good quality training was the key to a sustained economicrecovery."Finance is important, but well-educated and highly trained human resourcesare essential for long-term success in a highly competitive world economy,"he said. "ACT is a unique corporate assistance program," said Mr. Praves. "Itdemonstrates the commitment to Thailand of major American companies, such asChase Manhattan Bank, and underscores the importance of human resourcedevelopment." Dr. Nirund explained that this collaborative effort is in line with YonokCollege's long history of US-Thai cooperation. "The College was establishedwith US government assistance and now we continue that relationship withsupport from the US private sector." The ACT program is co-chaired by former Thai Prime Minister AnandPanyarachun and former US Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger. As Chairman of the Yonok Board of Governors, Dr. Supachai will join theAmerican corporations at Friday's formal opening of the training center inLampang . The opening coincides with Yonok's Seminar "Thailand -U.S.Responses to the Current Economic Crisis". For further information please contact : Mr. Richard Bernhard Queen Sirikit National Convention Center 2nd Floor, Zone D, Room 201, 60 New Rachadapisek Road Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110, Thailand Tel. 229-3131-2, Fax : 229-3130 e-mail: [email protected] End.