CERT-TIS sign joint venture agreement

The agreement was signed by HE Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of Higher Colleges of Technology, and Mr. Sanjaya Sharma, Chief Executive of Tata Interactive Systems, at the Abu Dhabi Men's College at the inauguration of the eMerging eLearning 2004 Conference on Sunday, September 5, 2004.

The mandate of the joint venture is to introduce innovative technologies in training and education by offering sophisticated e-learning content and software solutions to corporations, schools, colleges, universities, and government and defense agencies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. While providing world class e-Learning solutions and services to the regional clients, the joint venture will also focus on strategic involvement of nationals of each country in the implementation of these projects for effective technology transfer in emerging technologies.

In the joint venture, CERT brings in the understanding of regional, cultural, and learning needs aspects of the region and TIS brings in the e-learning expertise. TIS is part of the Tata Group, one of India's oldest and most respected business groups.

CERT-Tata Interactive Systems has already worked on some innovative eLearning solutions for ADCO, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Girls and the Higher Colleges of Technology.

The Ministry of Higher Education in collaboration with CERT-Tata Interactive Systems have created the world's first eLearning accreditation standards and guidelines document. For institutions that are newly initiating e-Learning courses and programs, the guideline document provides a helpful framework to establish new online initiatives based on global best practices.

Upon signing the joint venture agreement, Sheikh Nahayan added, " HCT-CERT is committed to promoting new learning initiatives in the UAE and the region. With e-Learning courses, we now have another tool to provide flexible access to higher education and training while at the same time promoting independent and life long learning opportunities to our learning communities. We are pleased to have a partner such as Tata Interactive Systems who is well known internationally in creating e-Learning solutions."

Sanjaya Sharma concurred enthusiastically, "We are excited to have such an unique partnership with HCT-CERT who have already established a strong reputation for quality in higher education in the region. With our company being the first one in this domain to achieve the highest possible quality certification at CMM level 5, both partners share in strong quality culture in providing services to our Clients. This partnership has already been proved successful in the region as we are now working with a number of leading institutions from industry and education."

Dr. Tayeb Kamali, CEO of CERT notes, "With a strong local presence and international presence, the clients of CERT-Tata Interactive Systems will benefit from international best practices and experiences of TIS while also ensuring that these courses will be customized to local and regional requirements. Also, the regional clients will be guaranteed of long term relationship, continuity and guarantee of services from HCT-CERT. It is indeed a win-win partnership, not only for CERT and TIS but also for all our clients".