ICDL GCC Foundation lauds Abu Dhabi Executive Council's initiative to adopt the ICDL standard for the Capital's government employees

In order to ensure the success of its initiative to train and test UAE Nationals and non Nationals employed by the Abu Dhabi government on the ICDL certification program. ICDL GCC Foundation has also lauded the Abu Dhabi Government initiative announced recently.

Through this initiative, thousands of the capitol Abu Dhabi government employees will undergo ICDL training and testing as well as courses in English language, government management and business ethics. These training programs aim at increasing productivity and enhancing performance of employees in order to meet international standards in public governance and administration.

Jamil Ezzo, Director General, ICDL GCC Foundation said: "We are extremely pleased with the Abu Dhabi Executive Council's exemplary decision to equip public sector employees with the latest IT skills necessary for effective governance and prompt public services. ICDL is honoured to be a part of the pioneering measures being implemented by the Abu Dhabi Civil Service Department with the direct supervision of its Chairman, H.E. Rashid Mubarak Al Hajiri, under the visionary leadership and wise directives of H.H. Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and his capacity as the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and H.H. Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and member of the Supreme Council, to ensure the integration of the Emirate into the modern knowledge-based global economy."

"The Emirate of Abu Dhabi has increasingly been adopting initiatives in support of e-governance. Ensuring IT competency at the government employee level will also motivate the public to follow suit. We urge all other governments to follow the example set by the Abu Dhabi government to enhance the use of e-services in their respective administrations," Ezzo added.

Abu Dhabi's efforts as the UAE capital comes as part of an overall UAE strategy to be at the forefront of the drive to build a society capable of taking on the challenges of functioning in the information age and has emerged as a role model in the adoption of IT initiatives in the Arab world. This is supported by the Global e-Government Readiness Report for 2005 which places the UAE in the first slot in the GCC region and at 42nd place in the world ranking, in terms of its e-government readiness. With this, the UAE has moved up 18 places from its ranking at 60th position in the world during the previous year.

"ICDL GCC Foundation is committed to continue its mission of reducing the digital gap and to pursue our goal of establishing a knowledge-based society and making IT literacy accessible to all sections of society is at the core of our efforts. Educating and raising the standard of skills of the government employees will reduce public expenditure on administrative infrastructures and ensures higher Return on IT Investment of various government organisations," Ezzo concluded.