KSA Ministry of Interior’s National Information Center endorses the ICDL digital literacy standard
The move aims to enhance the performance of the Ministry and government sector employees

July 26, 2009
The National Information Center (NIC) at the Saudi Ministry of Interior, and ICDL Saudi Arabia, the governing body and certification authority of the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) program in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), have signed an agreement that accredits NIC as an ICDL training and testing center.

Under the terms of the agreement signed by both parties, all employees of the Ministry and other government sectors will be taught essential concepts of computer and practical use of common desktop applications using ICDL courseware. The move aims to boost the performance of the government employees, by providing their staff with basic IT skills, which also complements nationwide efforts to establish a knowledge-based society. Under the agreement, at least 200 employees are expected to graduate from the new ICDL-accredited facility after its first year of operation.

Dr. Sulaiman Al-Dhalaan, Managing Director, ICDL Saudi Arabia, said: “The agreement with the Ministry broadens our presence in the government sector and improves our position as a promoter of IT literacy in the Kingdom. Through the NIC, we aim to further emphasize the role of IT in improving governance and sustaining national growth. We hope that other local agencies will follow the Ministry’s lead and include ICDL in their own employee development initiatives, to empower the employees with computer skills which will allow them to take advantage of today’s technologies, and enhance their performance”

The National Information Center was established by KSA Interior Minister H.R.H. Prince Nayef Bin Abdulaziz to provide advanced information services for the Ministry of Interior and all its sectors around the country. The Center presently uses the latest computer technologies and massive storage capacity to manage a vast information network covering all areas of Saudi Arabia. NIC offers critical operations and maintenance services to the Ministry’s various regional branches and provides information support during the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah.

The International Computer Driving Licence is an integrated global computer literacy initiative that teaches individuals and institutions fundamental IT skills. Its training and testing program is recognised and endorsed by education ministries, universities and government organisations in over 168 countries and is available in more than 140 languages. ICDL Saudi Arabia is a member of the broader ICDL GCC Foundation, one of the top three performers of the global ICDL program.