The new certification programmes are aimed at increasing computer and Internet literacy among government employees and citizens of Dubai, to maximise the benefits and usage of the Government's eServices. This was announced during a recent meeting held at the Dubai Ruler's Court between Dr Khalifa Mohammed Ahmed, Chairman, Dubai Ruler's Court; Salem Al-Shair, Director eServices, Dubai eGovernment; David Carpenter, Director and CEO, European Computer Driving License Foundation (ECDL-F); and Jamil Ezzo, General Manager, Element K Middle East.
"In a drive to make Dubai a knowledge-based economy and the region's digital hub, the Dubai government is sparing no effort to ensure that government and citizens are conversant with deploying eServices in all spheres of life." said Dr Khalifa.
"The programmes are expected to boost government employees' productivity and enhance their ability to deliver eServices. The programmes will enable citizens to maximise the benefits offered by a typical knowledge-based society."
"The two new programmes are in line with the directives of General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, to government departments to enhance public services through the delivery of eServices, in which paper documents will be eliminated, red-tape will vanish, and equality and democracy will prevail," Dr Khalifa added.
"We strongly support Dubai eGovernment's eEmployee initiative and are proud that the ICDL-Start Certification has been selected as part of that program," said Carpenter.
"Dubai eGovernment is a model for the region and has been a catalyst in developing Dubai's IT infrastructure. We are pleased that the ECDL-F certification has been selected for application in this city, and hence, we are announcing the launch of the pilot phase of the 'eCitizen' Program for the first time in the world here in Dubai."
"Through the two new certification programmes', which will increase the number of eServices' users along with the deployment of more and more new eServices, we are one step forward in realising our set target of conducting 70 per cent of government services online by the year 2005," said Al Shair.
"Dubai eGovernment has now reached the transactional stage of the e-initiative with the delivery of more than 600 eServices and is pushing towards the ultimate stage of seamless integration, which signifies total amalgamation between all government departments through the single portal www.dubai.ae.
"Around 79 per cent of eGovernment portals globally are still in the emerging and enhanced stages, while 19 per cent are placed in the advanced interactive and transactional categories," added Al Shair.
The second programme, eEmployee, is a double certification curriculum, "ICDL-Start" certification with three additional courses of instruction selected by eGovernment to meet the specific needs of Dubai's Government.
The 'eEmployee' course of instruction will initially be available to all eligible employees of Dubai's government departments and will further enhance their ability to provide the highest levels of eServices.
The course will subsequently cover a wide range of topics related to IT and will include the ICDL-Start Certification. The more advanced management courses will comprise Harvard courses covering, amongst others, business communications, negotiations and programme management.
Quelle: Gulf-News
