ITWorx Pioneers e-Learning Project in Qatar

ictQATAR Knowledge Net is changing the way teachers teach and students learn

September 17^th, 2008 - ITWorx, one of the Middle East's leading software professional services firms, has been engaged by Qatar's Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR), to roll out Qatar's groundbreaking Knowledge Net portal - which provides teachers with smart IT tools and students with access to learning resources any time, anywhere - to an additional 37 schools over the next 14 months.

This follows the success of the first phase of the project for which ITWorx, the global experts on the Microsoft Learning Gateway for schools and higher education, developed and rolled out Knowledge Net to an initial 12 independent Qatari schools.

"Qatar is the benchmark for transforming an economy into an information-based society. Bringing computers into the classroom for all lessons, in every subject, is an essential part of adapting the education system to fit the needs of the 21^st century," said Hafez Hamdy, Marketing Director, ITWorx.

"e-Learning changes the way teachers teach and students learn. Students benefit from learning at at faster pace while teachers collaborate better with their colleagues. Parents can monitor the progress of their children and communicate directly with staff, giving the school a far more central role in family life."

The Knowledge Net portal, which is based on the Microsoft Learning Gateway, allows students to receive and submit assignments, share information with each other, and research projects from anywhere with an Internet connection. Teachers can send and receive homework assignments, provide feedback to students and parents, and upload study material.

Working in cooperation with ictQATAR, the Supreme Education Council's (SEC's) educational technology specialist Dr. Jock Schorger said: "Careers increasingly require digital fluency, and this project will help students to comfortably use technology to think critically, share information, and work with others to solve complex problems in all subjects."

"Knowledge is the new principal commodity, and the ability to successfully cultivate it and guide it will accelerate social and economic wellbeing in Qatar by preparing students better for the jobs of tomorrow."

"To build on the foundation laid by Phase I of Knowledge Net, ictQATAR and SEC will roll-out Phase II with new features to the portal, designed to improve the user experience to enhance the technology's support of student achievement," explained Dr. Ghadah Omar Al-Fakieh, ictQATAR e-Education Manager. "Additional training will also be provided to teachers to assist them in integrating Knowledge Net into their teaching practices to maximize the portal's benefits and ensure students deepen their technology skills so they can realize their goals."

Retaining the expertise of WSP Edunova UK, a specialist education consulting agency, ITWorx will extend Qatar's online learning environment and provide full training to teachers in this new phase.

ITWorx, a Microsoft Gold Partner since 1997, will customise the Microsoft Learning Gateway in both English and Arabic to cater to the independent schools' needs.

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About ITWorx
ITWorx is the largest software professional services firm in Egypt. Founded in 1994, it employs more than 800 with offices located in Egypt, KSA, USA, UAE, and Qatar. ITWorx offers portals, business intelligence, SOA, and application development outsourcing services to Global 2000 companies in the following sectors: government, education, telecommunications, financial services, and ISV.

As a development arm for the Microsoft Learning Gateway 2005 and MOSS 2007 Refresh, ITWorx regional references in education include ictQATAR and UAE Ministry of Education, and internationally, Durham County Council, Kent County Council, and the Sheffield Yewlands School (a BSF starting point).

Along with its MLG-based services - Consultancy, Development, Customization, Localization, Deployment, Integration, Training, and Support - ITWorx offers two education products - ITWorx Education Catalyst^TMand ExamExpert^TM. To find out more, please visit www.itworx.com.

About ictQatar Knowledge NET Phase II
Being a leader in Microsoft education solutions and in full understanding of ictQATAR goals, having been engaged in Phase I of Knowledge Net (KNET), ITWorx will help fulfil the objectives of Phase II of the project. Based on Microsoft's learning gateway, KNET is an online learning environment that promotes active and fun learning, provides students, teachers, and parents with easy access to information, and allows collaboration between all stakeholders. Phase II will involve an upgrade of the current KNET system to MLG 2007, plus the customisation, localisation, and deployment of MLG 2007 with enhanced navigation and design for 37 new schools, including Arabic language support.

As in Phase I, the solution will also provide management and reporting tools to facilitate system and student performance monitoring, change management, and pedagogical training. Users will be provided with their own personal space from which they can enjoy a unique user experience. ITWorx will provide comprehensive technical and end-user training to teachers and school administrators to help them maximize the benefits of KNET.

For more information please contact:
Nira Shunbo,
Hill & Knowlton for ITWorx
Tel.: (+202) 2736 5571
Email: Nira.Shunbo@hillandknowlton.com