DEVELOPMENT AWARD 2007 - WINNER

 

Marno Database & Project IT Officer Indonesia-Australia Specialised Training Project III

 

Marno’s journey with the Indonesia-Australia Specialised Training Project (IASTP) has a fairytale quality to it. Hired as the janitor Marno showed an extraordinary aptitude for all things IT-related and, in between cleaning and making coffees, he took steps to educate himself in database administration. Now, in Phase III, he is the Database Officer and a valued and respected member of the team.

With only a high school education, working on IASTP provided Marno with opportunities he may have only dreamt of. The first of these opportunities came when his colleagues recognised Marno’s potential. He became an Administrative Officer and, as his aptitude for database administration became apparent, and he was moved into the Database Officer role.

Aside from a basic MS Access course, Marno’s database administration skills are self-taught. When HAI was awarded Phase III of the Project he was doing exceptionally well. However, his new colleagues saw even more potential in Marno and encouraged him to consider his future post IASTP. Marno has since enrolled in the Indonesian equivalent of a Bachelor of IT. He has excelled in his studies and impressed his lecturers with his advanced knowledge and technical know-how.

As the Database Officer, Marno manages just under 10,000 records of contracted training providers in Indonesia and Australia.  Not only does Marno manage the database but he is also responsible for all data entry and data validity. In addition, he assists with report compilation, monitoring and evaluation activities and development of major surveys.  Marno is the person ‘behind the scenes’ ‘who makes it possible for the international advisers to operate successfully.  His opinions are highly regarded by his colleagues and it is rare that his recommendations are not adopted.

Despite his own heavy work and study commitments, Marno remains a dedicated team player who is committed to the success of IASTP and the individual team members. He is now stepping up and mentoring other team members, encouraging them to reach their potential and proving that the fairytale can be realised through commitment and hard work.