Unesco agrees to certify Zayed varsity

The United Nation Education, Science and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has agreed to certify Zayed University"s International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) programme.

The university received a delegation from Unesco to assess the programme which was introduced by the Institute for Technological Innovation (ITI) at Zayed University. The delegation comprised Dr Omar Azooz, Regional Manager, Abdul Kareem Abu Sharkh, Director of Projects, and Engineer Mohammed Khater, from the regional office in Cairo.

A Zayed University spokeswoman said mutual cooperation between the ITI and the Unesco were discussed during the meeting in addition to issues of developing training in Information Techno-logy through the application of ICDL. "The programme is considered the basic programme for all computer users in the organisation," she said.

Dr Hanif Hassan, Vice-President of Zayed University, said that Unesco"s decision to certify this programme emerged from the basic concepts of achieving academic and technical cooperation with international universities, institutes and renowned organisations in different research and academic fields, especially IT.

He added that Unesco"s move is an achievement for Zayed University. It is the second academic institute -after the Higher Colleges of Technology - to issue these certificates.

The institute will teach, select trainers and issue certificates for the ICDL training courses that cover seven modules in the field of IT. To earn the ICDL licence, the trainees must demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts of computing, their practical application and use in the workplace and society.

The modules are: basic concepts of information technology (IT), using computers and managing files, word processing, spreadsheets, database, presentation, information and communication.

Azooz said: "The ICDL licence is an integrated training program related to the usage of IT and its applications. It provides a certificate called "The International Computer Driving Certificate ICDL" that is similar in pattern to car driving licences but differs in the context. The licence aims to unite measurements that depend on training individuals and developing their talents and skills in the workplace. This programme is an improvement in the level of basic knowledge about IT and a higher level of basic competence to use common computer applications."

He added that this was applied for the first time in Finland in 1988.

In 1997, the European Computer Driving Licence Foundation was formed to co-ordinate the introduction and operation of the ICDL throughout the world.

Since 1999, the programme was applied worldwide and named "The International Computer Driving Licence ICDL".

"The licence that became recognised in 50 countries, also serves six Arab countries. Graduates could apply for jobs in any of these countries. The number of candidates for this programme has reached more than 1.4 million, and we expect these numbers to increase in the coming five years. More than 20 languages are used in the applications of this programme," Azooz explained.

He indicated that trainees must pass seven modules over any period of time, in any order, even all at once. All the modules, except for the first one, involve practical skills.

The tests consist of tasks, which relate to typical day-to-day computer operations. When all modules have successfully been completed in a maximum span of three years, the licence is granted.

Members from Unesco participate in supervising the training institutes, and inspecting testing systems, premises, locations, equipment and technical capabilities.