DUBAI, 21 June 2005 — The ICDL GCC Foundation, the governing body of the International Computer Driving License (ICDL) program in the GCC countries, has launched the ICDL Certified Training Professional (CTP) program in an effort to promote best practices and to drive up the quality of ICDL training throughout its network of 750 accredited training centers across the Gulf region.
The International Computer Driving License (ICDL), is an internationally recognized computer proficiency standard that is owned by the European Computer Driving License Foundation (ECDL). It was introduced by UNESCO’s Cairo Office (UCO) for Arab states in 2001 and is gaining increasing acceptance in the Middle East, with several governments adopting it and making it a requirement for their employees. The ICDL program exists in over 136 countries and is offered in 36 languages, including Arabic.
Until recently, the provision of classroom-based training by individual trainers and training organizations has been outside the control of the ECDL/ICDL organizations. However, rigorous measures with ICDL courseware approval and policy on the use of strictly approved courseware in ICDL training have been in place for some time. These measures have ensured that quality ICDL approved training material is provided to candidates during their training. The institution of the CTP program as a requirement for all existing ICDL accredited training centers and new applicants, offers candidates further assurance about the quality of training offered by the accredited training centers.
ICDL GCC Foundation has organized a series of ICDL CTP workshops to be held at Zayed University’s Institute of Technological Innovation (ITI) and Higher Colleges of Technology’s Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT). Over 100 ICDL trainers from accredited training centers across the Gulf region will be attending the workshop and trained by a CTP Expert visiting from Ireland.
The ICDL CTP workshop duration is three days, followed by a period of correspondence between the candidate and the CTP tutor, during which the candidates will work on finalizing their performance and evidence records that include videotaped training classes, training and session plans and other documentary evidence. After completing all the ICDL CTP requirements, the candidate will be awarded an ICDL CTP certificate.
Qualified ICDL CTP candidates must be ICDL certified and technically competent in all seven modules of the ICDL program. The candidate must also have considerable training or teaching experience in delivering ICDL/IT training, including course design, preparation of training plans and course evaluation.
“Although the overall standard of the ICDL training provided in our region has been high, we have had concerns about the lack of quality training provided by a few centers,” said Jamil Ezzo, director general, ICDL GCC Foundation. “CTP will ensure that all centers have competent and effective ICDL trainers. In our undertaking to promote IT literacy in the region, we consider quality an utmost priority, to encourage learners and provide them with a pleasant learning experience.”
And the ICDL GCC Foundation is working to ensure that quality training is available for all citizens and residents in the GCC. The Foundation has put forward major plans to extend the benefits of the ICDL program to people with disabilities. This reinforces the ICDL GCC Foundation’s stand that IT literacy should be accessible to all individuals, irrespective of their age, background, gender or physical abilities. To further this cause, the ECDL Foundation, the worldwide governing body of the ICDL program, has set specific procedures and standards for accrediting organizations that provide training and testing to disabled people. The ICDL GCC Foundation, the regional arm of the ECDL Foundation, will be responsible for implementing these procedures and standards in the Gulf region.
Research shows that disabled people are often discouraged and leave school with inadequate skills, especially in the areas of reading, creating a barrier to further education and good employment prospects. Today it is recognized that obtaining IT literacy can greatly increase employment opportunities in society. The ECDL Foundation, in partnership with international organizations and experts in the field of learning for the disabled, has identified necessary modifications to make the ICDL learning and testing more friendly. This involves using simple language and more control keys to better explain the functionality of basic computer usage.
“People with disabilities have proven that their impairment should not be a deterrent in achieving their goals and being successful,” explained Ezzo. “The ICDL GCC Foundation strongly believes that no one should be left behind and everyone should be part of the digital society. Our plan is to empower the physically impaired with essential computer skills to reinforce the fact that these individuals form an integral part of our society. The IT training received by disabled people will help in instilling confidence and help them realize their goals and aspirations.”
The ICDL GCC Foundation is working closely with selected vendors to design content in both English and Arabic languages with specific consideration given to the disabled to offer special assistive technologies such as screen readers that integrate with ICDL content, as well as the development of ICDL Braille-based textbooks, while meeting the international standards of the ICDL program. Furthermore, the ECDL/ICDL regulations will permit an additional 15 minutes on the test time, as well as allowing assistance during the official test.
“We support all projects in the region that further IT literacy among the hearing impaired, visually impaired, people with mobility disabilities and cognitive or learning impediments. The ICDL GCC Foundation is currently running a pilot program at Tamkeen, an initiative of Sheikh Mohammed ibn Rashid Al-Maktoum, crown prince of Dubai and UAE defense minister, aimed at empowering the visually impaired,” remarked Ezzo. “Another effort is being afforded to accredit the Rehabilitation & Employment Centre for Disabled People in Al-Ain, which was set up under the guidance of Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif ibn Zayed Al-Nahyan, minister of interior, UAE. These centers have been instrumental in boosting employment opportunities for the disabled and will join the growing number of institutions that are helping millions of people acquire essential computer skills around the world.”
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