Statistics and Demography Training Launching Ceremony

This Statistics and Demography Training Programme was to the skills of those working in Puntland to improve the capacity of these institutions in the collection and analysis of data needed for taking informed decisions regarding service delivery. The number of professionals participating in this training was 20 trainees from different government departments and institutions working in the areas of planning and collection of statistical data. The funding of the project was provided by UNFPA and it was implemented by Puntland State University (PSU) in partnership with the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MOPIC).
After UNFPA approved the funding of the project, our first step towards a successful training programme was to start the selection process of the trainees. We met with MOPIC about the selection criteria for participating in this very important training. Then, after agreeing on the selection criteria, MOPIC started contacting other ministries and government institutions to assign trainees in accordance with the agreed criteria.
Then, the selected trainees sat for an entry exam prepared by the University. This exam would make sure that the right trainees were taken for the training and this would maximize the benefits that can be gained from the training. This process was completed in good time and all the trainees were ready to start their training on time.
The training programme was launched on 6th September 2012 in Puntland and was officially opened by Faisal Said, the Director General of the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MOPIC). Also Abdinasir Mohamed from UNFPA, attended on behalf of the funding partner. On the other hand, PSU was represented by Abdulkadir Omar, the Dean for the Faculty of Business and Economics as all trainees were present in this event.
The Director General of MOPIC, Mr. Faisal Said was the first speaker in the launching event and he emphasised in his speech the benefits of this type of training programmes for improving the capacity of Puntland government institutions to deliver services needed to the public through upgrading of the skills of its staff in data collection. Also, he urged trainees to benefit as much as possible from this opportunity. On the other hand, Mr. Abdinasir Mohamed, raised how UNFPA is taking part in the institution building of Puntland government institutions by funding capacity building programmes similar to this training. On the part of PSU, the Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics thanked UNFPA for funding this project and MOPIC for the selection of suitable trainees for the training. Also, he promised to make this training a success in all aspects.