Society of Engineers in the UAE endorses ICDL standard for local engineers

In its quest to promote high standard and best practices among engineers working locally in the government and private sectors, the Society of Engineers in the UAE will cooperate with ICDL GCC Foundation to participate in an unprecedented effort to bridge the digital gap in society. The Society has endorsed the ICDL certification standard in an effort to develop the computer skills of its more than 16,000 members and their families.

Under the partnership with ICDL, the Society of Engineers in the UAE will adopt the ICDL standard in its training centres to offer the ICDL program to engineers and technicians working in all fields. The ICDL program will also be made available to the engineers' families, particularly their children, through an existing program called 'Future Engineers', while ICDL GCC Foundation will accredit a training and test centre in the Society's main office in Dubai.

"Computers have become the cornerstone of modern Engineering. It has become a prerequisite for modern engineering to plan, design, implement and manage projects. We live in an ongoing technological advancement in both hardware and software. Behind this progress is the demand for creative professionals with competency in using computers. Engineers are no exception. This is a very good opportunity for our organisation. The partnership will not only be beneficial to our corps of engineers, but it will also prove advantageous to our families, especially our children. On behalf of the Society of Engineers in the UAE, it is a pleasure to contribute to the ICDL GCC Foundation's drive to improve the IT literacy in the UAE and the rest of the region," said Eng. Maged Farouk, Deputy General Manager Society of Engineers in the UAE.

"ICDL GCC Foundation regards the ICDL endorsement by the UAE Society of Engineers as a major achievement and a great addition to the tens of society member organizations that have endorsed the ICDL program around the world. This endorsement confirms that ICDL is essential to everyone despite of one's profession or academic background. We welcome the support of the Society of Engineers in the UAE in our campaign to promote digital literacy among professionals working as engineers and technicians in various fields in the government and private sectors. Through this partnership, we aim to further boost the proficiency and the IT skill level among one of the country's most important human resource," said Jamil Ezzo, Director General of ICDL GCC Foundation.

Endorsed by education ministries, universities and government organizations worldwide, ICDL 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 focusing on the responsible use of computers and the internet, covering important social areas such as intellectual property rights, virus protection and recycling.