Getting Up to Speed with Technology
If you would like to brush up your computing knowledge, why not sign up for the staff computer courses offered by the Computing Services Centre (CSC)? Simply flip through the staff course directory booklet for this Semester and choose from a list of extremely popular courses like Flash, Dreamweaver, Director, Freehand, Excel 2000, PowerPoint 2000, Adobe Photoshop, FrontPage 2000 and much more. Once you have decided which course(s) to attend, all you need to do is fill in the Application Form provided in the booklet and send it to the CSC before the deadline.
As always, some popular courses are organised twice in one semester (except for Summer Semester). Moreover, parallel classes will be arranged for the most popular courses. So far, parallel classes had been taught on the same day for topics like “FrontPage 2000”, “Introduction to Html”, “Macromedia Flash” and “Dreamweaver”. As all staff courses are now free of charge, the number of applicants will bound to increase. Inevitably, a few applicants would be rejected due to the limited number of seats per course. Sad to say, recent reports showed that the attendance rate for the courses is not always 100 per cent. If the absentees can release their seats by notifying the CSC ahead of time, then those rejected applicants will be able to fill up the vacancies. If you are normally busy on Tuesdays and Thursdays, you will be glad to hear that starting Semester B, all courses will be offered on Wednesdays and Fridays instead.
Judging from past experiences, it is found that out-sourcing to external trainers is highly cost effective. During the last 2 years, we have had Computer Power Training Services and Interim Technology to act as our trainers for the staff computer courses. This academic year, we have selected another top training firm, Welkin Computer Training, as the primary trainer for most courses. In situations where Welkin Training is not readily available, System Pro will serve as the backup trainer. With this kind of arrangement, we are able to provide the flexibility that is required.
To plan the courses better, we need to know your thoughts and needs. Around May and June each year, a staff course survey is placed on the Web and every staff in the University is invited to express his/her views about the on-going computer courses offered by the CSC. By contributing your ideas and views, we will be able to plan ahead of time according to your suggestions and preferences.