ICDL Arabia has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Egypt’s Arab Academy for Science and Technology and Maritime Transport aiming to develop digital skills in Egypt and the region.

The signatories will also work together to disseminate basic and advanced communications technology skills and information required by individuals in the current job market locally and regionally under the umbrella of the Arab League which is currently working on the ratification of the new ICDL certificate.

The agreement includes the designation of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport as the centre of tests for the new ICDL certificate. The Academy will provide certificates to all students, academic staff and foreign academic projects according to the rules, conditions and standards of the international certificate.

Obtaining the new ICDL certificate will be a requirement for the Academy’s graduating students who will earn credited hours on the certificate. The four courses of the Base Module are compulsory for all students along with any three elective courses from the Standard Module, depending on the student’s major. The parties will also cooperate in controlling testing sessions in Foundation-accredited centres in Alexandria through a joint team of field quality monitors from both sides.

Dr Ismail Abdul Ghaffar, president, Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport said: “We are delighted to ally with the ICDL with the support of the Arab League. This step will help us realize our goals and existing plans for the development of information and communication technology (ICT) skills among students and those working in the fields of science and technology and maritime transport.

“It will enable learners to efficiently use the latest technological tools to achieve excellence in this field, providing the sector with effective and sophisticated competencies. Today, we draw on a long-term strategic partnership at the academic and professional levels in cooperation with a prestigious international institution that has 18 years of history in the field of ICT for individuals locally, regionally and internationally.”

Since the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport has experience and employs best practices in the development of ICT curricula, the two sides have agreed on the development of specialized courses and the launch of the structure of the new and evolving content of the certificate.

The Academy has a reputation for exceptional services to the region in the areas of competence and extended regional relations. It will start with the development of a special rapporteur using ICT in the field of specialty transport and marine science and technology and have it accredited internationally as a course under the ICDL certificate.

In addition, the two parties will cooperate on the development of content for training materials and testing of the certificate components to ensure that they are consistent with the standards and requirements of higher education curricula to facilitate the adoption certificate and training materials by other higher education institutions. The Foundation aims to secure grants from Gulf and European destinations to cover part of the costs to the Academy and its students and staff as well as support the development of joint curricula and private academies.

Jamil Ezzo, director general, ICDL Arabia, said: “The Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport has a prestigious status in the field of education locally, regionally and internationally. We are honoured to cooperate with it in implementing the new structure of international certificate which will be similar to that of Egyptian public universities for students and staff and academic projects.”

“In addition to benefitting from the capabilities and expertise of the Academy, we will work together on the development of specialized certificates that are internationally accredited. This joint cooperation will benefit from the deployment of the beneficiaries in science and technology and maritime transport sector as we are looking forward to great results,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service