The first training module conducted by the Academy for International Trade and Transport-AITT and the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies-BCIS was launched on July 19, at the BCIS.

The inaugural session was conducted by the Chief of Transport of the UNESCAP, Ms Geetha Karandawala, who came to Sri Lanka to overlook the progress made by AITT as the institution was created with the fullest backing of the Bangkok based UNESCAP, which celebrates 60 years in 2007.

The first step towards setting up the academy was initiated by the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freight Forwarders’ Association (SLFFA) Niral Kadawatharatchie in September 2006, when he attended the FIATA World Congress in Shanghai. Following his discussions at this forum, a Training of Trainers programme (TOT) was conducted by UNESCAP in Colombo in January 2007.

The AITT has designed many modules of training programmes that will cover all aspects of international trade and transport and related subject matter, which were carefully designed under the guidance of UNESCAP for Professional Capacity Building (PCB) and will be on par with FIATA courses done worldwide. In addition to those courses, new areas of trade and trade law will be on offer in 2008. At the same time, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and the Sri Lanka Customs too have joined the UNESCAP initiative with AITT and the Ministry of Ports. Aviation too has fully supported this private public partnership (PPP) to enhance capacity building in Sri Lanka as it is necessary to have people with the knowledge and skills if Sri Lanka is to become a global logistics hub in the region.

AITT/BCIS courses will have three steps for students. Initially students can study specific areas of interest and obtain certificates that would help them to perform their day to day work in a more practical way and uplift skills and knowledge. By completing at least three certificates they can obtain a Diploma and move forward to do a Higher Diploma and to enter university studies if they wish to enhance their Academic Capacity Building (ACB).

These courses have been designed in a way that industry employed people can obtain certification while they are at work and preliminary courses will be offered to school leavers who are interested to join the export/import and transportation industry. The AITT is in the progress of developing its material and courses to work with universities so that after 2-3 years of studies students can obtain degree level certification in specialised areas related to trade and transport.

The UNESCAP Chief of Transport and Tourism sector in her recent visit to inaugurate the sessions had clearly indicated that she is committed to build the SLFFA/AITT/BCIS Training venture in International Trade and Transport. at the same time the UNESCAP. She also reiterated she would look forward to making this training programme the model and the example for the Asia Pacific region, which accounts for more than 50% of global trade and related transport services and infrastructure.