Oman College of Management and Technology receives certification as ICDL Accredited Training and Testing Centre

ICDL GCC Foundation, the governing body and certification authority of the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) program in the Gulf States, has recently announced that the Oman College of Management and Technology has adopted the ICDL program as a standard for digital literacy within the college for students and faculty members.

The accreditation is expected to boost the computer competency of the region's workforce in line with mandates by most government and private establishments requiring job applicants to obtain ICDL certification.

'We are very pleased to partner with the ICDL GCC Foundation to deliver this widely recognized computer skills certification to all our students, faculty members and the public in the south Batina region. This will ensure that our college maintains international training standards, which will contribute to the increased competency of our students and faculty members,' said Dr. Issam Fuqaha, Dean of the College, Oman College of Management and Technology.

'As most government departments and large establishments in the region require job applicants to obtain ICDL certification, we want to ensure that our students are fully equipped and thorough in their knowledge in information technology to increase their chances of employment,' added Dr. Fuqaha.

The ICDL standard will be adopted starting in the 2007-2008 academic year and will be compulsory during the foundation year for all students. All faculty members are also required to undergo the training and test to obtain the ICDL certification, which guarantees that they are adequately capable of conducting computer-related lessons with the students.

'Following our high-profile alliance with the government, we are very pleased to form our partnership with the Oman College of Management and Technology, which is one of Oman's renowned educational institutions. This is part of our continuous effort to spread digital literacy in Oman and reach out to as many individuals as possible. ICDL GCC Foundation recognizes the important role of the Oman College of Management and Technology in creating a digitally literate society in Oman,' said Jamil Ezzo, Director General of ICDL GCC Foundation.

ICDL is endorsed by education ministries, universities and government organizations worldwide. It is an inclusive digital literacy program that empowers individuals with the essential concepts of computer and practical use of common desktop applications. The program is based on a recognized global standard 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 ICDL syllabus also offers a broader perspective on computer netiquettes by concentrating on the responsible use of computers and the internet, covering important social areas such as intellectual property rights, virus protection and recycling.