SunPlus Information Technology Training
By Frederick Falayi & Gilbert Weeh
From the 25th-28th July, 2010 fifteen delegates representing the West-Central Africa met at the administrative headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. These delegates representing the six unions and WAD Institutions during the four days training program improved their knowledge of the SunPlus Software Program.
During the opening session, Pastor(Dr.) Gilbert Wari, the President of the Division stressed the importance of quality service. According to him, “We must give the best of ourselves wherever we may be to the glory of the Lord.” It was a call to excellence and the delegates accepted this appropriate message.
The Facilitator from the World Church Headquarters, Kirk Nugent granted us an interview on this very important training program on the management of our church.
Is this your first time of visiting Africa and particularly our Division?
Kirk Nugent: This is my first time of coming to the West-Central Africa Division but not my first time to Africa. I have been to the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division. This is a lovely place and I hope that I can be back here again but more importantly with my family.
What are your impressions?
Kirk Nugent: I am very impressed. It is a great pleasure meeting with the various IT Directors from the various Institutions and Unions. These are very knowledgeable people in the domain and they are very eager to learn.
I have been to several other places but this is different. People are ready to learn more. I have also been impressed by the infrastructures and the surrounding areas being from the Caribbean. The
people from the developed world have presented a very different impression but the visit has completely changed my perception.
This quinquennium begins with a training program for the Information Technologists in our Division. Is this planned or it is just a sheer coincidence?
Kirk Nugent: The training workshop is planned. My desire as the IT Director is to visit all the Divisions every year. Actually, this is my second set of training. I have met earlier on with David Ackah and Dieudonne Assogba. Our plan is to support all the Divisions and visit all the 10 out of the 13 Divisions currently using the SunPlus Software. We hope the knowledge acquired can flow down to all the other entities so that each Division can be self-supporting. Our desire is that we work together, and rejoice together whenever we are privileged to and in case anything goes wrong too, we can amend together.
For the benefits of our readers, could you give us some insights into what SunPlus Program is all about?
Kirk Nugent: SunPlus is the Treasurers’ Accounting Software provided by the World Church. It is a tool to be used to booster financial stability in all of our Divisions and Institutions. Currently, it is used by our educational institutions, the hospitals especially Loma Linda, publishing houses, ADRA, Adventist World Radio, etc.
What are the advantages that can be derived from using this software?
Kirk Nugent: There are lots of advantages derived in using only one accounting software:
1. It enhances major savings. When all the entities buy the software together, it is provided basically free except the maintenance fees.
2. There is continuity and uniformity in that once the software is mastered at one level, the adaptation is easy throughout the church entities.
3. It provides career tracks for those who plan to go up.
4. There is transparency. No monopoly by some individuals who may want to take the church into hostage by not sharing knowledge.
5. Expansion is also possible in that well trained IT Personnel in one Division can also help in empowering other Divisions and entities.
Final word?
Kirk Nugent: It is a pleasure coming to the West-Central Africa Division. As I said earlier on, I have already worked with David and Dieudonne and I can confess that it’s a place to meet with lovely people. I will love to come back to the West-Central Africa Division.