AIT Extension welcomed the 1st batch of 74 trainees from four different power distribution companies of Pakistan on the 29 April during the opening ceremony held in JW Marriott Hotel in Bangkok. The occasion was attended and witnessed by three CEO’s of Pakistani Electricity Supply Companies, Executive Director of AIT Extension (AITE), Professors of AIT, Senior AITE staff and H.E. Sohail Mahmood from Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Financially supported by the World Bank, the third component 2-week duration professional development Energy Distribution Services Management and Technology (EDSMAT) program will be conducted in Bangkok. The current topics include: Financial and Economic Planning; Analysis of Investment Projects; and Administration and Human Resource Management. More than 400 participants are expected to attend the rest of the training programs by the end of June 2012.
The Ceremony started with the Introduction from Dr. Faiz Shah, Head, Development Management Unit, AIT Extension. Dr. Shah explained the EDSMAT program components meeting the needs at different levels of Senior, Middle and Junior Management. He stated that it was a responsibility and great opportunity for the participants to come to Thailand and learn from their Thai counterparts to solve the problems that they face in their work and take back the best.
Dr. Jonathan Shaw, Executive Director of AITE described on how AITE is moving forward with such initiatives and highlighted the relevance of the program. He also welcomed the guest of honor and participants who were in the audience. He assured that he and the rest his team from AIT will do their best to meet the objective of the training.
His Excellency Ambassador Sohail Mahmood highlighted the importance of energy and its needs. He stated that the energy security is at the national agenda of Pakistan. He also added about the pivotal role of power distribution companies in Pakistan and said that it is essential for them to learn from the good global practices. He then extended his thanks to AIT Extension for putting these relevant programs together in close collaboration with Pakistani officials. Furthermore, he appreciated the efforts made by Dr. Jonathan Shaw and Dr. Faiz Shah to materialize this program.
Mr. Guftar Ahmed Choudhary, CEO, Multan Electric Power Company thanked the World Bank and AIT for its respective roles in fulfilling their capacity building needs. He said, “AIT had come forward to provide the Professional Masters and Professional Development Training”. The first and second component of the EDSMAT program includes Professional Masters and Professional Diploma Programs.
