Dubai eGovernment, in partnership with National Bank of Dubai, offers public free eCitizen computer courses

The registration period begins from 19th to 25th March, 2005, residents will be given the opportunity to learn the basic Personal Computer (PC) and internet skills and become acquainted with Government Department online services

The promotion, which is free of charge and open to all, is sponsored by the National Bank of Dubai.

"In any eGovernment implementation in the world, the human element represents the focal part of the formula and always receives the highest attention. This is the focus of the Dubai eGovernment Initiative," said Mahmood Al Bastaki, Acting eService Director of Dubai eGovernment.

"Through this eCitizen program, we are diligently aiming to enhance the knowledge of Information Technology among Dubai residents", added Al Bastaki.

"Dubai eGovernment aims to encourage the public to move away from using the more traditional methods of conducting business with government departments to utilising online services. The eCitizen Training Programme will not only teach people the computer skills needed to allow them to successfully access Government's online services, it will also help speed up the transition to total e-Governance," explained Rehab Lootah, eServices Provisioning Manager, Dubai eGovernment.

The training will be conducted by New Horizons, the eCitizen programme comprises a total of 16-hours' training, with three two-hour sections dedicated to basic PC skills, Internet fundamentals and e-mail fundamentals, and ten hours' training on Government Department online services. On completion of the programme, each candidate will receive a certificate.

During the e-Citizen promotion, interested participants will be offered free registration in the programme on a first-come-first-served basis. Registration will be open for seven days, and can be made by calling AskDubai on the toll-free number 700040000, or by sending an SMS to 4488 with the letters 'REG', together with the person's full name. For example, 'Reg mohammed ali'.

"Put quite simply, the more trained users in IT the more online services will be used," said Al Bastaki. "As the adoption rate of online government services increases, so the success of Dubai's eGovernment will become apparent," added Al Bastaki. "We have a strategic target for the online service adoption to reach 50% e-service delivery before 2007."

"I would like to give a huge vote of thanks to National bank of Dubai for being the pioneer in sponsoring this activity as it will accelerate the transformation of Dubai to a more glamorous, digital city", stated Al Bastaki.

"Hence, I urge the entire community, and the private sector in particular, to play more active roles in Dubai's transitioning to an e-lifestyle", added Al Bastaki
Mohammed Ali Al Nuaimi, Secretary of the Board of Directors, National Bank of Dubai said, "eCitizen is a Dubai eGovernment initiative designed to provide IT skills to increase the penetration of eServices Dubai eGovernment is a part of H.H Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum's vision and it compliments Dubai government's efforts to transform this vision into reality."

"NBD's sponsorship reflects our commitment to facilitate and support all programs that will help position Dubai as a model eSociety," added Al Nuaimi.