The deputy minister of Culture Dr. Riad Ismat and the British ambassador in Damascus Peter Form on June 17 officially opened the Knowledge and learning Center ( KLC) at the headquarters of the British council in Damascus. The opening ceremony was spiced with a groovy Jazz band and a talented mime group that kept the people entertained the whole evening . The guests were very impressed by the new knowledge and learning center that combines a traditional library and an electronic one .
In a statement to Syria Times , Customer Services Manager , Mohammed Zuheir Bakleh said the KLC helps students, young professionals and other users to develop professionality , learn English, get information on contemporary UK, studying in the UK and other related matters .
He said that by becoming a member at the KLC, one can enjoy the following services: internet access, audio/video materials, electronic database , video conferencing facilities , and valuable collection of books and magazines.
Bakleh indicated that the British Council BC in Damascus implemented the KLC project in order to create a global net work of enhanced conferencing and learning and knowledge opportunities. Building on tried and tested methods of face to face interaction , this network will be a combination of physical and virtual services , with much of the initial investment going into technical platform, electronic content and service.
He detailed that these KLC `s is spaces - or zones, where made available is a wider range of knowledge and learning opportunities . It aims to gradually transform the ways in which the British council offices meet the changing needs of its audiences around the world and in the United Kingdom , taking advantage of the opportunities offered by both new and old media- in ways appropriate to local contexts - to provide : access to knowledge , selected and shaped for target audiences ( e.g. web sites , patrols, databases , electronic journals); flexible learning award bearing courses , delivered through world-wide offices to target audiences); conferencing facilities, including by video- conference ( e.g. for seminars, workshops, conferences , promotion, student recruitment, British graduates alumni activities ) and ; exhibition and display space ( e.g. for show casting of products , virtual exhibitions of creative arts and design).
He continued that the Knowledge and Learning centers will be targeted at young professionals and will provide a range of services including : Internet access to the best UK Internet resources. This will enable users to get up to date information from the UK and allow participation in interactive debates and web forums; Video conferencing facilities providing links with other British Council centers and with UK and international partners , such as research institutions , think tanks, non- government organizations (NGO` s ), and the private sector ; and distance learning zones to support the delivery of UK distance learning oversees.
He noted that the Zones will contain relevant collections of electronic and print resources , provide access to the Internet and provide space for study and consultation Bakleh said that the Knowledge learning Centers will deliver tailored content developed with local, UK and multinational partners and will provide opportunities for people in the UK to share ideas and experience with enthusiasts in other countries . The first two KLC opened in New Delhi and Belgrade in early 2002. , he said.
Moreover, the new center will provide a combination of physical and virtual services, offering enhanced conferencing; learning and knowledge opportunities. The video conferencing facility will provide links with other organizations and institutions around the globe linking Damascus with the world for mutual benefit of both .
Furthermore, the video conferencing can be used for lectures, tutorials or as a meeting point for distance learning students with their UK professors and counterparts; informal meetings at short notice; linking people and facilitating experience sharing between contacts in Syria and the UK. The customers can communicate more regularly with people in other districts or countries, which would usually be costly or impossible if he has to travel; improved communication channels between the UK and Syrian institutions and partners ; for teaching and learning applications , research purposes, watching presentations and attending meetings; face to face interviewing ; sharing information and resources with groups of people without travelling long distances using video conferencing saves money as it can lower expenses - there is no need for all the costs involved with traveling , such as meals and tickets and increasing local and international expertise, increasing cultural understanding.
Tomader Fateh ?
© Syria Times 2004
