e-TQM College adopts new multi-lingual solution to deliver online courses in Arabic and English

The implementation has been carried out in collaboration with EDUTECH, a leading provider of knowledge solutions, based at Dubai Internet City.

e-TQM College is the first organisation to request an Arabic language version of the system and is the first to use the system in Arabic in the region. The Blackboard Learning System will cater to the growing online learning needs of the Middle East. Arabic is the tenth language in which the Blackboard Learning System is available. The multi-language functionality of the system permits a culturally enriched and tailored online setting for all users.

"e-TQM College can now leverage its existing technological infrastructure to deliver online courses using a leading Virtual Learning Environment such as Blackboard Learning System," said Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Director, e-TQM College. "The technology upgrade demonstrates our commitment to provide open access to all those individuals aspiring to specialize in quality management. The Arabic interfaces that Blackboard offers will enhance the educational experience of our online learners."

"Though e-TQM College has emerged as the e-learning college of choice in the Arab world, recognized by and accredited to leading global e-learning centers, its growth was to some extent hampered by the lack of Arabic courseware. As many learners in the Middle East show marked preference for Arabic-language online courses, the implementation of Blackboard Learning System fills this vacuum and puts us in a leading position to meet the rising demand for Arabised courses in the Gulf region," Dr. Al Awar added.

"We are pleased to partner with e-TQM in providing their learners a state-of-the-art learning environment that will enhance their e-Education experience," said A.S.F. Karim, Managing Director, EDUTECH. "Blackboard Learning System's Arabic language locale pack is the first of its kind in the region and will drive eTQM to achieve its goals at a faster pace. e-TQM College's proactive move to provide an online learning environment to enhance knowledge and skills in the region is highly commendable."

EDUTECH is a leading provider of knowledge solutions. Its solutions meet the learning needs of institutions such as universities, colleges and schools, government departments, ministries, defense services and hospitals as well as business enterprises such as oil and gas companies, banks and financial institutions, manufacturing companies and trading houses. It has established partnerships with world's leading publishers and technology companies in education, training and information to offer a comprehensive range of solutions and services.

The Blackboard system provides the tools and resources to successfully manage online, Web-enhanced or blended learning models. The system offers course and content authoring tools, a robust assessment engine as well as synchronous and asynchronous collaboration tools. It offers an open architecture for customization and interoperability, providing opportunities to integrate the system with student records system, online payment authorization systems and authentication protocols.

e-TQM College offers a host of specialized courses quality management to help learners enhance their performance at the workplace. Starting January 2004, it is offering a Master of Science course in Total Quality and Performance Management, which has been designed to teach learners how TQM thinking can be embedded into business planning and operation management.