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GPKT Activity Update 6

Basic Computer Training November and December 2004

In meetings following the Kumanovo Conference in September 2004, GPKT Education Committee and Women’s Working Group members expressed their need to learn more about new technologies and use of computers. Additional individual consultations confirmed that lack of basic computer knowledge was a common need, and underlined that training would benefit not only GPKT activities, and applications to GPKT micro-grants, but also Working Group members’ daily work.

As part of EWI’s mandate to build capacity in the micro-region, training in basic computer skills was therefore organised for over 35 members of the GPKT Education Committee and Women’s Working Group from Gjilan/Gnjilane, Presevo and Trgoviste – the municipality of Kumanovo provides for free computer training, so this need is already being addressed in that town.

11 GPKT Working Group members from Gjilan / Gnjilane, 10 from Presevo and 12 from Trgoviste completed a two-day Basic Computer Training course, led by Prof. Dzevat Kojic, a computer training professor from the Bosniak minority community (fluent in Serbian and Albanian) with substantial experience of teaching in this area. The topics covered were use of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Internet Explorer and Email, and facilities were arranged for one computer per participant.

The first training event was held on the 28 and 29 November in Gjilan/Gnjilane, where ethnic Albanian teachers and ethnic Serb teachers from the nearby enclaves were trained together at an Internet café in the town centre. Despite the celebration of Albanian ‘Flag Day’ on 28 November, with EWI support ethnic Serb teachers were still able to travel into the town and receive training with their ethnic Albanian colleagues – for some, this was their first trip into the centre since March 2004.
 

A second training was held on the 30 November and 1 December in Presevo, where teachers and members of the Women’s Working Group were kindly hosted by the ’15 Nentori’ Primary School. On the second day, participants moved to a local internet café to enable participants to learn in practice about use and exchange of email and Internet browsing.

Due to lack of facilities in Trgoviste, the third training event was organized in the neighbouring town of Vranje on 6 and 7 December. Trgoviste’s Municipal Co-ordinator, Natasa Tasic, took the lead in organising logistics for the two days, during which Trgoviste teachers and community representatives trained with ethnic Serb colleagues from Presevo, Vranje and Trgoviste (in order to ease the burden of dual translation).

At the end of course, all training participants completed a final examination, and all passed successfully, receiving a certificate. Participants also completed evaluation forms on the training course, and the vast majority of comments were extremely positive and felt that the training had significantly improved their computer skills. Many agreed with their colleague from Presevo, who commented: “Through the training we met new colleagues across the border, and had the opportunity to exchange experiences, share opinions and establish valid relationships. But it was too short in terms of time!”.
 

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