Dubai eGovernment boosts eServices with the launch of 'eCitizen' and 'eEmployee' initiatives

The new certification programs 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, ECDL-F; and Jamil Ezzo, General Manager, Element K Middle East.

The certification programs are a joint initiative involving Dubai eGovernment, ICDL-UAE, UNESCO, the ECDL-F and Element K Middle East. The first program will commence in December 2003. Dubai eGovernment will monitor the standards and implementation of the program.

'In a drive to make Dubai a Knowledge-based economy and the region's digital hub, Dubai Government is sparing no effort to ensure that government and citizens are conversant with deploying eServices in all spheres of life.' said Khalifa. 'The programs are expected to boost government employees' productivity and enhance their ability to deliver eServices. The programs will enable citizens to maximize the benefits offered by the Knowledge based society.'

'The two new programs 'eCitizen' and 'eEmployee' are in line with the directives of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, 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,' 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 visionary 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 programs 'eCitizen' and 'eEmployee', 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 'eCitizen' program has been developed by the European Computer Driving Licence Foundation (www.ecdl.com), the recognized standard for computer literacy in over 120 countries and is endorsed by UNESCO for all Arabic speaking countries. The 'eCitizen' program is designed to help the public better understand how eServices work and help move them away from the traditional methods of learning. The program will provide basic competence in IT and familiarise citizens with Internet and email as well as other key aspects of eServices such as eBanking, eGovernment, etc.

The second program, 'eEmployee', is a double certification program, combining '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 program management.

'Dubai eGovernment has partnered with the country's leading private training centers and universities to ensure the highest standards in the delivery of the two programs. The integrity of the program is maintained through guidelines set by UNESCO and the ECDL-Foundation as well as the Advisory Board led by Dubai eGovernment and ICDL-UAE, as well as UNESCO and prominent U.A.E. Universities and Colleges,' added Al-Shair.

ICDL-UAE was formed in June 2003 with the specific objective of administering and promoting the International Computer Driving License. The organization has also assisted eGovernment in designing a customized syllabus for 'eEmployee', and is responsible for localizing the 'eCitizen' program and providing feedback to the ECDL-Foundation.

'Element K works with the world's and region's leading training organizations serving two thirds of Fortune 100 companies. Our solution offers a traditional environment for students as well as the region's first Arabic ASP Learning Management System combined with the best of breed online training materials. This allows students the opportunity to learn from several modalities,' said Ezzo, from Element K Middle East, which offers all the services of the global e-learning provider Element K, including e-learning and Arabic LMS.