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116 Computers Refurbished, Delivered to Accommodations, Windows OS Provided
Doha - Qatar (May 3, 2015)
The Better Connections Program implementers held two training workshops for a group of volunteers who will help in putting the Program into action with transient workers. This comes in parallel to the International Workers' Day.
The two workshops, held in March and April by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ictQATAR)'s Digital Inclusion Section and Reach Out To Asia (ROTA) respectively, featured lecture-based sessions and interactive activities that gave the volunteers the chance to apply the knowledge they received in hypothetical situations and scenarios. The workshops aim at preparing the volunteers to kick off the Program training phase.
Volunteers were introduced to the essence of the Program, as well as its vision and objectives, the plan of action, the timeframe, stakeholders involved, volunteers' roles and responsibilities, the target groups, the monitoring methods and aspired outcomes.
They were also trained in how to conduct needs-analysis visits at the transient workers' accommodations. Those volunteers will not only train the migrant workers, but also remain the focal point of contact for the end beneficiaries of the Program.
The first group of volunteers, trained by ictQATAR, were dispatched to 12 sites/facilities, already finalized needs-analysis visits to their assigned sites and met with 'digital champions' to assess their ICT Skills.
"We initiated the Program as a pilot project in 2013, launched it officially in 2015 and today we are proud to see such a huge enthusiasm to implement it and meet its goals and objectives; namely raising transient workers' ICT awareness," said Ms. Reem Al-Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Society Development, ictQATAR.
"Those workshops are part of our plan of action throughout which volunteers will receive training and be qualified to train select group of transient workers at their accommodations. Those selected workers, after trained, will become the digital champions who will, in turn, train other workers," she explained.
The second group were trained by ROTA, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), who supports the Foundation in its commitment to unlocking human potential and building strong, sustainable communities in Qatar and the region. Its work in this area is closely aligned with the Human Development goals of Qatar's National Vision 2030.
Arwa Musaaed, Online Education Specialist in ROTA's ICT for Education Department, said: "We recruited and trained 26 volunteers to become digital trainers and are thrilled to be part of the growing network of partners committed to the success of ictQATAR's landmark Better Connections Program. On the International Workers' Day and every day, respecting and celebrating the contribution of each individual to Qatar's journey is a value deeply embedded in ROTA, in the Qatar National Vision 2030 and in the fabric of our community. Hand-in-hand, we will continue supporting low-income workers in our community, helping them grow skills and stay connected to the community and to their families. Trainings like this are additionally a critical opportunity for young leaders to step up and inspire others to give back and build the community they want for the future."
Over the few past weeks, the Program received at least 400 donated computers from Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar Petroleum, Qatar Financial Center Regulatory Authority, ROTA and Msheireb Properties. Microsoft donated 1000 Windows OS software and Office licenses. The Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah Al-Thani Humanitarian Services (RAF) began machine refurbishment operations and in April, around 116 computers were delivered to several workers' accommodations in Al Wakra, Al Wakir, Umm Ubairiya and the Industrial Area.
Noteworthy, the Program elements are: 1) refurbishment of used computers donated by several government entities, 2) establishment of ICT facility within the accommodation of migrant workers, 3) the training of select group of workers as 'Digital Champions' of the Program. The training aspect is carried out by volunteers from the community.
On the occasion, Naim Yazbeck, Country Manager, Microsoft Qatar said: "We are honored to be part of this initiative and are looking forward to cooperating with all bodies concerned toward achieving the goals and objectives of the Better Connections Program."
Mike Abdel-Fattah, CH2M's Vice President and General Manager for Qatar, said: "Partnering with ictQATAR and key contractors, CH2M is helping to make steady progress towards bringing digital connectivity to workers in Qatar. We believe in working with our clients and partners to make a positive difference in the communities we serve. The Better Connections Program is a unique initiative that will help workers reach their families back home, learn basic IT skills and build their wider knowledge through being digitally connected. These are powerful new skills that can foster social mobility. ictQATAR has shown great foresight in implementing this initiative and we are proud to be a partner."
Aiming at raising transient workers' ICT awareness, the Better Connections Program, launched last May, is an ictQATAR initiative that gives contractors and employers a practical framework to providing training and access to ICT tools for their labors. Program partners include several Qatari institutions, entities and local contracting firms.
To broaden the scope of the program by increasing the number of its beneficiaries, ictQATAR last January signed a number of MoUs with several institutions such as the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), Qatar Foundation (QF) and CH2M (CH2M), which work on the most iconic infrastructure projects in Qatar.
The Digital Inclusion Section is part of ictQATAR's Digital Society. Its mission is to create opportunities for all Qatar's population that is at risk of digital exclusion in terms of access and skill, and to enable them to benefit from communication technologies.
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ABOUT ictQATAR
The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ictQATAR) builds a vibrant, advanced, and secure ICT sector that will propel a thriving, diversified economy and benefit all the people of Qatar. As a change agent for human, social, economic, and environmental progress, the Ministry strives to drive innovation well into the future. Specifically, it is charged with a wide-ranging mandate that includes: overseeing and developing the communications sector, e-government programs and postal services; fostering a regulatory environment that is conducive to competition and investment; promoting digital inclusion for all people of Qatar; and developing the next generation of infrastructure.
© Press Release 2015
