Etisalat Academy signs a regional collaboration protocol with the UN

The protocol was signed by Obied Bin Meshar, Deputy CEO of Etisalat, Chairman of the Etisalat Academy and Dr. Asad Shah , CEO of International Collaboration in the UN with the presence of Dr. Doaa Fares, Director General of Etisalat Academy and Ozma Sarfraz, Operations Manager in the Gulf and Middle East.

According to the protocol, Etisalat Academy shall promote e-learning programmes implemented by the UN in the United States of America and Canada. The programmes shall include courses in Science Administration, E-government programmes, accounting, marketing, customer services and English Language among many others.

Speaking about the importance of this initiative, Bin Meshar said: 'This project is a unique and hugely important step for the academy and confirms its leading role in the region. We are pleased to be able to play this supporting role for the project, which has been a priority since our inception. We consider the development of e-learning a priority and one we will endeavor to do everything in our power to progress in both the private and public sectors within the UAE and abroad.'

Dr. Asad Shah praised Etisalat's distinguished position represented by the Academy in supporting the knowledge and culture in the society as well as its initiatives in rehabilitating and training working cadres.

Dr. Doaa Fares, General Manager of the Academy, said: ' Etisalat Academy was fulfilling an important role in bridging the gap between in knowledge and experience between the labour market and the universities. He added: 'The Academy was chosen as a regional representative for a number of international educational institutions in the US and Europe. It has also been accredited as the first regional centre in the Middle East to examine IT experts and engineers hoping to receive international accredited certification.

'One of the prestigious educational institutions the academy deals with include ISC2, which is considered to be the first in the world to certify the Security System Professional Certified Information (CISSP).'

He noted that choosing the Academy to implement the E-learning project adopted by the Group of 77 reflects the high standard of the educational and training qualifications the academy has, which is comparable to the most pre-eminent international standards in the field of e-learning.

The United Nations has placed huge significance on this initiative to spread e-learning throughout the third world, including the MENA region. The first phase of the project, which includes 600 training sessions, was finalised and approved by international institutes.