LIRNEasia Calls For Applications For Broadband Policy Course In Sri Lanka

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LIRNEasia (www.lirneasia.net) is a regional ICT policy and regulation think tank, active across the Asia Pacific. In partnership with Ford Foundation, LIRNEasia will be working on a project titled ‘Facilitating and enriching policy discourse on improving broadband access by the poor’.

The objective of the study is to inform and engage decision makers and stakeholders in Asia (Regulatory officials, government officers, executives from operators, academics and civil-society leaders) about good practices on licensing policy, spectrum management, as well as other regulatory aspects affecting broadband access by the poor.

With this regard, a four-day residential course in all official languages will be offered by LIRNEasia in partnership with Sarvodaya Fusion with the support of the Ford Foundation from the 25th September to the 28th September 2015 at Club Palm Bay, Marawila.

The objective of the course is to produce discerning and knowledgeable consumers of research who are able to engage in broadband policy and regulatory processes. By the end of the course, attendees would be able to

• Find and assess relevant research & evidence
• Be able to summarize the research in a coherent and comprehensive manner
• Have an understanding of broadband policy and regulatory processes in Sri Lanka

A total of 20-25 participants will be chosen for this programme. The participants would also include junior to mid-level officers of government and regulatory agencies, university students, lecturers, academics, telecenter operators and media personnel.

This course is of topical value in light of imminent changes in Sri Lanka’s laws and policies pertaining to broadband. Simultaneous interpretation facilities will be available. Ability to access and use the Internet for learning assignments is a precondition.

Those attending the event are in for a treat when they find out who the speakers are. Here’s a quick look:

• Professor Rohan Samarajiva, PhD, Former Director General of Telecommunications of Sri Lanka
• Vigneswara Ilavarasan, PhD, Associate Professor, Dept. of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
• Helani Galpaya, CEO of LIRNEasia
• Abu Saeed Kha, Senior Policy Member of LIRNEasia from Bangladesh.

With regards to funding and allowance, travel allowance will cover costs from home to hotel and back. Participants will have shared accommodation at Club Palm Bay Marawila and meals (4 days and 4 nights) will be provided.

Those interested can fill out the application form which can accessed here.

The deadline for submissions is on 31^st July 2015. Participants who have been accepted to the programme will be notified by email on or before 14th August 2015, with instructions on travel arrangements.

Additional information such as Draft syllabus and information on previous courses in this series taught in India and Nepal can be found here.