4.07.2008

First ever Saudi Oracle User Group

Its been really quite a long wait for all Oracle techies (who are working in Saudi Arabia) to have a local Oracle User Group: that is, a Saudi Oracle User Group. Well, cherished dream became finally true on March 11 when Oracle had an formal meeting about starting an official Saudi Oracle User Group and explained their plans to run the group.

As per the press news, Dr. Majid Altuwaijri, CIO, National Guard Health Affairs will be the president of Saudi Oracle User Group.

Following is the excerpt from the press release:
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The autonomous group comprises 14 most distinguished CIO's from the various industry verticals in the Kingdom.

Apart from addressing member problems, the group will provide networking and collaboration opportunities to Oracle users in the Kingdom, enabling them to have a better understanding on specialist areas of Oracle software. The Saudi Oracle User Group will enable Oracle customers from around the Kingdom to share their firsthand experiences in using Oracle technology and solutions, and how to best leverage their IT investments.

'Though independent, the Saudi Oracle User Group will work closely with Oracle to offer constructive feedback and assist different customers with their crisis,' said Dr. Majid Altuwaijri, CIO, National Guard Health Affairs, and President of the Saudi Oracle User Group. 'The feedback will help Oracle determine long term customer requirements, improvise on product and solution offerings to help customers in the Kingdom have a global presence with groups around the world.'

Moving forward, the group will meet members to discuss the Charter to establish a set of milestones to be achieved in the short and long term. Once the Charter is defined, members will meet to define online objectives. The website will be crucial in sharing information with member and will boost memberships. It will also act as a medium of managing and publishing the group's presence. The group will also attend meetings at international and local Oracle User Groups, participate in IT exhibitions and third party forums.

Over the next 12 months, the group will meet on a quarterly basis to form special interest groups across industries. This initiative will allow groups to be more focused and interactive as it speaks the same language for a set of customers.
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I am very curious about joining this group and would really like to involve actively.

Jaffar

3.29.2008

Oracle 10g Admin I - 5 day course.

Now-a-day I am busy delivering Oracle University 5 days courses at various places (oracle onsite and customer site). Last week I have delivered a 5 day course on 'Oracle 10g: programming with PL/SQL' and starting with today, I am teaching 'Oracle 10g: Admin I' here at Oracle faclities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I always felt that teaching is a tough job, however, I am loving it.

Happy Reading,

Jaffar

3.22.2008

Fun in teaching 'Oracle Programming with PL/SQL'

I am currently teaching a 5 day Oracle training course 'Oracle 10g: Programming with PL/SQL' and its been pleasure refreshing the basic concepts once again.

There were 12 atendees on the day 1 for this class, all of them have ample of programming experience in VB and .NET technologies. Though, not many serious questions have been asked on day 1, but, I loved teaching the Programming concepts.

Today day was the first day and still 4 days to go.

Happy Reading,

Jaffar