Initiative aims to boost application of IT at the workplace and within society
ICDL GCC Foundation, the governing body and the certification authority of the International Computer Driving License program in the Gulf States, has recently introduced the Gulf Computer Society (GCS), a new initiative for a membership organization with the commitment to extend and enhance digital awareness to a wider community in the region.
GCS will represent the vision and voice of its members on the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education, the workplace and the society as a whole. In addition to developing the capability of individuals and organizations through the provision of consultations, conferences, journals, publications and digital libraries, GCS will also focus its activities on a number of critical ICT related issues. Among them is the endorsement of ICT certification programs that are based on internationally recognized standards; lobbying with the relevant policymakers for increased use of ICT in education, healthcare and public service; and fostering the promulgation of ethical use of technology to help governments reduce software piracy and security breaches.
GCS will have an advisory board with senior representation from each Gulf country. Membership to GCS will first be open to ICDL enrolled candidates and ICDL Approved Training and Testing Centres comprising of government organizations, academic institutions and training providers. Membership will then open up for industry players and IT professionals from the general public.
"ICDL GCC Foundation is proud to introduce the Gulf Computer Society as a significant step towards realising our goal to create a digitally literate society across the Gulf region. GCS allows us to enhance and expand our IT literacy program and address various distinct requirements and needs of certain sectors," said Jamil Ezzo, Director General, ICDL GCC Foundation.
"Our GCS initiative has been developed to support the social development of the region, particularly in terms of helping people to appreciate and utilise the various technologies available in the society. Through the GCS network, we will be able to reach out to as many people as possible and help them take advantage of modern technology to make their lives more comfortable," added Ezzo.
The ICDL program, the international standard in end-user computer skills certification, will be the first IT certification program that will be hosted by GCS. ICDL is endorsed by education ministries, universities and government organisations worldwide, and has been recognised as an inclusive digital literacy program based on a recognised global standard that empowers individuals with the essential concepts of computer and practical use of common desktop applications. The ICDL syllabus also offers a broader perspective on computer netiquettes by concentrating on the responsible use of computers and the internet, covering important social areas such as intellectual property rights, virus protection and recycling.
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About ICDL
International Computer Driving License (ICDL), is an internationally recognised computer proficiency standard that is owned by the European Computer Driving License Foundation (ECDL) and introduced by the UNESCO's Cairo Office (UCO) for Arab states in 2001, is gaining increasing acceptance in the Middle East, with several governments adopting and prescribing it to their employees. The ICDL program exists in over 140 countries, and is offered in 36 languages, including Arabic. The programs offered are all based on one standard syllabus and question set. There are more than 26,000 centres worldwide, above 5 million candidates, more than 1 million issued certificates and over 20 million exams have been taken globally since the launch of the program year 1997.
About ICDL GCC Foundation
ICDL GCC Foundation was created by the ECDL Foundation, the not-for-profit global governing body of the ECDL and ICDL member countries dedicated to helping raise the general level of computer skills in societies and providing access for all to the information society, to serve the to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States with their implementation of ICDL and for providing them with localised support to ensure quality of ICDL programs. The ICDL GCC Foundation is the sole accreditation body that is responsible to support ICDL accredited training and testing centres in the GCC. It also acts as the reviewing and approving body for the local adaptation of ICDL programs.
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© Press Release 2008
