2,300 students to gain the ICDL certificate in summer programs funded by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and ADWEA

The Foundation has lauded H.H. Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Presidential Affairs Minister and H.H. Sheikh Dhiyab bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Director of Abu Dhabi Electricity and Water Authority (ADWEA) for their support of these initiatives.

For the fourth consecutive year, the generosity of H.H. Sheikh Mansoor and H.H. Sheikh Dhiyab has helped provide students with the opportunity to acquire essential computer and Internet skills based on ICDL's global digital literacy standard. By the end of this summer, a total of 2,300 students are expected to achieve the ICDL certification, empowering them with the necessary skills that will help them improve their academic performance and prepare them for their future careers.

"On behalf of the ECDL Foundation and its regional arm, we extend our sincere appreciation to H.H Sheikh Mansour and H.H. Sheikh Dhiyab for their continuous support in the promulgation of digital literacy among students. We also wish to thank the Abu Dhabi Educational Council (ADEC), the Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Educational Zones, UAE University, Higher Colleges of Technology and Abu Dhabi University for their role in making these summer camps a reality," said Jamil Ezzo, Director General, ICDL GCC Foundation.

The ICDL syllabus was chosen for these summer camps, as it offers students an equal learning opportunity, helping them improve academically and providing them with a sense of achievement and empowerment. The ICDL program is based on a recognized global standard focusing not only on computer skills, but also on how students should use computers ethically and safely," Ezzo added.

Many international studies reveal that technology has positive effects on education and students' attitude toward learning. Students who use computers routinely enjoy many benefits such as feeling more confident, achieving goals and becoming more motivated to learn more. Other beneficial effects include the ability to work in teams, social awareness, effective communication and gaining self-learning skills. As students realize their ability to control their own learning pace and advancement.

The male and female students participating in the program are currently preparing to achieve their ICDL certification as they attend the summer camps at the UAE University, Higher Colleges of Technology and University of Abu Dhabi. The training program takes about six weeks to complete, but all students must first successfully pass the official ICDL exam before they can earn the globally endorsed ICDL certificate. Similar ICDL summer camps have also become annual events around the country and throughout the GCC region, attracting more than 16,500 male and female students from various school grade levels.

ICDL is a vendor-neutral digital literacy program that is acknowledged through testing and proves that the certificate holder has fundamental skills in Information Technology, using the computer and managing files, word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, and information and communication (Internet and e-mail). The certificate is recognized and endorsed by education ministries, universities and government organizations worldwide.