Skill Enhancement Program for GSS Staff

The SAARC Agriculture Center (SAC) hosted a three-day “Skill Enhancement Program for GSS Staff” in the SAC Conference Room on November 21, 23, and 24, 2024. The program began with icebreaking sessions centered on the theme of fostering teamwork and enhancing coordination within office operations. A total of 19 GSS staff members took part in the event, with the sessions on the second and third days dedicated to topics such as administration, finance, procurement, IT security, and SAC journal management.

The program was inaugurated with opening remarks by SAC Director Dr. Md. Harunur Rashid, who also conducted a session highlighting the core mandates and priorities of SAC. Dr. Yunus Ali, Senior Program Specialist (Livestock), delivered a session on SAC’s harmonized policies and strategies.

Additionally, five external resource persons facilitated specialized sessions on various topics, including communication, document management, IT security, Tally software management, SAC journal management, and stress management. The resource persons were:

• Professor Dr. M. Abul Kashem, Vice-Chancellor, Teesta University, Rangpur
• Ms. Nusrat Jahan, Project Management Support Officer, UNOPS, SAMCO
• Mr. Aminul Islam Asif, IT Manager (Software), SAC
• Md. Fahmid Uddin Khondoker, Deputy Director (ICT) & Journal Manager, BanglaJOL, Bangladesh Academy of Sciences
• Ms. Bishaka Tanchangya, National Programme Specialist, FAO ECTAD, and Certified Yoga Instructor

To enhance participants’ skills across various areas critical to SAC’s operations and initiatives, the program emphasized hands-on practice during each specialized session. Additionally, brainstorming activities and an intelligence quiz round were conducted   by Dr. AHM Taslima Akhter, Senior Technical Officer SAC to encourage active participation and ensure an engaging and enjoyable experience for all attendees. This program was designed not only to enhance technical skills but also to foster teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. The hands-on practice sessions, brainstorming activities, and interactive quiz rounds have provided a unique platform to learn, engage, and grow together. It is our hope that this training will enable participants to apply the knowledge and insights gained from these sessions to enhance their practices, ultimately contributing to greater efficiency and effectiveness in SAC’s operations.