New IT training centre

Abiya Ahmad reports on the new venture by students from the Sharjah Women's College

Al Mahara Training Centre (ATMC), a special institute that offers information technology training courses to students, staff and the general community, was opened recently at the Sharjah Women's College (SWC).

ATMC, essentially a business operated exclusively by senior Information Administration (IA) students, has "an organisational structure and a number of departments, such as marketing, training, administration and human resources," said Hind Al Mualla, an IT instructor at SWC.

According to her, the centre was established as "part of the Business Development and Training Course, one of the courses in IA programme matrix," and aims to "immerse the students in an authentic working environment and to make them ready to operate from day one at their future work place".

Software studies

Courses offered at the centre are primarily geared toward training people in computer software such as Microsoft Office, DreamWeaver, Flash, Swish, CorelDraw and International Computer Driver's License (ICDL) certification.

The frequency of training depends on the demands of clients. IA student Mariam Al Hammoudi, who is the ATMC Public Relations Manager, said: "We deliver one-to-one training that could last for a single session or a complete course which is for a month or more."

On completion of the course, certification may be provided "based on the request of the client," she said, which would confirm that "the trainee received training in such and such course".

No requirements

Asked about the eligibility for admission, Mariam said there "are no requirements; anyone who is interested in improving their IT skills is more than welcome to contact us. We deliver training regardless of age, gender, or educational background."

ATMC Training Manager Laila Al Hammadi, also an IA student, supervises each trainer to ensure high quality of service.

The opening was held to familiarise the college community with the various programmes and support offered through the centre, and to assist in building a customer-base.

SWC's Supervisor for IT programmes Mehrdad Mohasses said: "AMTC's client-base is diverse, thereby offering students a chance to train public and private sector organizations such as the Sharjah Educational Free Zone and Gulf Air."

ATMC runs till mid-December, explained Mariam, because "we don't have the resources to keep it running throughout the year."

Each session lasts 45 minutes at the cost of Dh15 per trainee. ATMC's in-house training manuals also cost Dh15.

Interested persons may contact the centre through email at amtc@sjwc.hct.ac.ae.