Dubai Electronic Public Library to conduct ICDL course

Six-week training programme; discounted fees for students

Dubai, UAE; January 13, 2010: The Dubai Electronic Public Library, managed by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), is conducting an International Computer Driving License (ICDL) course from January 10, 2010. The ICDL course is internationally recognized as a global benchmark in end-user computer skills certification, opening up strong career opportunities for course participants.

The six-week programme, aimed at familiarising participants with the basics of computers, is open for all members of the public with students being offered fee discounts. The course is being held at the Electronic Library in Umm Suqeim from 6pm to 9pm.

All the Dubai Public Libraries were recently lauded by the ICDL GCC Foundation, the governing body and certification authority of the ICDL programme in the Gulf region for its efforts in setting up electronic public libraries and offering digital literacy programs through its Umm Suqeim electronic library.

Mohamed Al Aredi, Dubai Public Library Director, said: "The ICDL is a global computer literacy programme, and helps raise knowledge about IT and increase personal competency in computer usage. The Dubai Public Library has a strong public interface, which helps us to reach out to a wider audience through the programme."

A study by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALESCO) reports that digital illiteracy in the Arab world is 27.9 percent, compared to 19 percent globally. The course by the Electronic Library will further help address this gap in computer education.

The ICDL course includes basic training on computers and managing files, as well as training in MS Office including Word, Access, Excel and PowerPoint. The course fee is AED 1,400; students have to pay a fee of only AED 1,000.

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About Dubai Culture & Arts Authority:
The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) was launched on March 8, 2008 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Dubai Culture plays a critical part in achieving the vision of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 of establishing the city as vibrant, global Arabian metropolis that shapes culture and arts in the region and the world. The organisation has announced several initiatives that strengthen the historic and modern cultural fabric of Dubai. These include:

Muhammad the Messenger Museum: The first project of its kind in the world to focus on and highlight the life and message of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him).

The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards: The first of its kind initiative in the Arab world honouring individuals and organisations who have made financial or in kind contributions through sustained support to visual arts, performing arts, literature and film in the region.

Gulf Film Festival: Dubai Culture recognises that a healthy film industry is necessary to take stories about Dubai's culture, traditions, history and contemporary lifestyle to the world.

Bastakiya Art Fair: An annual art and culture event takes place in the houses of Al Bastakiya, one of the historic areas of Dubai.

Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre: An annual festival that celebrates and fosters the art of theatre in the UAE.

Dubai Next: To encourage and sponsor initiatives that contribute actively to the development of the cultural events and activities in Dubai. Recently, Dubai Culture showcased Dubai's aspirations in culture to an international audience at one of the world's most prestigious platforms, the Art Basel 39 art fair.

Khor Dubai: A living museum that celebrates the multicultural diversity of Dubai.

The Holy Lands: A collaboration with the unique and creatively rich Reiss Engelhorn Museen of Mannheim to bring an exclusive collection of never before exhibited rare photographs to the region and more specifically Dubai.

For more information, please contact:
Nivine William / Sara Hamam
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
+9714 334 4550
n.william@asdaa.com, s.hamam@asdaa.com