SDNP and IUCN organize workshop On Web-Authoring Techniques in Gilgit

April 27, 2002

 SDNP and IUCN's NACS Support Project collaborated to organise a 4-day training workshop (April 23-26) on "Web-authoring Techniques" at the COMSATS office in Gilgit. The aim of the workshop was to build capacity of the local partner organizations in web-page designing  and updating. This workshop was an important step in NACS efforts to develop the Northern Areas Development Gateway (NADG) - the first web based portal of the Northern Areas. The Gateway would be a medium to showcase all important development initiatives, tourism potential and would also serve as a network of the development community.

 Dr. Ahsanullah Mir, Project Director, NACS Support Project opened the workshop with the introduction of NACS, its vision and mandate. He emphasised upon need for showcasing the Northern Areas on the Internet. He also highlighted SDNP's role in the workshop and the development of the Northern Areas Development Gateway.

 The following personnel, hailing from eleven different organizations, including  army, governmental and NGOs working in the development sector and academia, participated in the workshop:

1.       Mr. Shamsulwahab, GIS Specialist, NADP, Chilas
2.       Mr. Sadat Sher Khan, Assistant Registrar (General), Karakoram International University, Gilgit
3.       Mr. Fazal Karim, Graphic Designer, AKCSP, Gilgit
4.       Mr. Darvesh Ali, Asst. Data Resource Person, AKCSP, Gilgit
5.       Mr. Abdul Sadiq, Computer Operator, NAPWD, Gilgit
6.       Mr. Jahangir Khan, Computer Operator, NAPWD, Gilgit
7.       Mr. Ibrahim Khan, PS to the Deputy Chief Executive, NA, NALC, Gilgit
8.       Mr. Mohammad Hussain, Computer Operator, NALC, Gilgit
9.       Mr. Gojar Khan, PS to the Advisor (Health), NA Administration, Gilgit
10.     Mr. Qurban Ali Shah, Programme Secretary/Administrator, WASEP, Gilgit
11.     Mr. Piyar Ali, Graphic and Web Designer, KADO/KHDP, Gilgit
12.     Mr. Amjad Pervaz, Naik, HART Branch, FCNA HQ, Gilgit
13.     Mr. Abid Khan, Asst. Administration Officer, WWF-P, Gilgit
14.     Mr. Amjad Hussain, Computer Operator, P&DD, Gilgit

Resource persons from SDNP Karachi and Peshawar introduced the participants to the  Internet, web pages, web browsers and the web server. They were taught the basics of HTML coding, Front Page and Adobe Photoshop, some of the tools used in designing a professional website. All these theoretical sessions were followed by their corresponding hands-on (practical) sessions. Despite the days-long technical lectures, the participants took great interest in all the activities of the training.

 The closing ceremony of the workshop was honoured by Mr. Amanullah Khan Niazi, Secretary Planning and Development, who after a brief speech awarded certificates to all the participants of the workshop. He assured the participants of all required patronage for dissemination of information through NADG. Experimental web pages designed by the trainees  were shown to the chief guest.