ICDL GCC Foundation, the certification authority of the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) program, has partnered with Michigan State University (MSU) Dubai, to offer specialised IT training programs for educators and students in higher education.

ICDL GCC Foundation and MSU Dubai have also agreed to collaborate in developing the curriculum for a new ICT program, which will be offered in both Arabic and English.

The new training centre will offer two certificates: the ICDL certificate for participants who successfully complete and pass the test of the seven-module basic ICDL program; and the Instructional Technology Certificate for participants in an eight-module program wherein educators will learn how to integrate ICT and the latest Web 2.0 technologies such as blogs, podcasts, wikis and Google tools into their curricula to satisfy the requirements of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).

'The establishment of a new training centre at MSU Dubai is a key strategic breakthrough that underlines that impact and importance of the ICDL program in complementing the existing IT curriculum of leading academic institutions,' said Jamil Ezzo, director general of ICDL GCC Foundation.

“The new training centre will serve as a value-added offering that will help boost the development of the students' IT skills and improve their career prospects in the job market,' added Myra Khattab, program manager at MSU Dubai.

Endorsed by education ministries, universities and government organisations in more than 168 countries and available in over 40 languages including Arabic, ICDL seeks to globally promote digital literacy based on unified, world-class standards of competence and integrity.-TradeArabia News Service