Boosting digital skills of youth key to developing innovators of the future, says Canon

Canon Middle East, a leader in imaging solutions, has announced that it is expanding its support to include a greater number of universities across the GCC for the "ICDL Summer Camps." The summer camps, which will run from June to July 2011, are being organized by educational authorities and universities throughout the region and overseen by ICDL GCC Foundation, the governing body and the certification authority of the International Computer Driving License program (ICDL) in the GCC States and Iraq.

Canon revealed that it will be extending region-wide support this year, to include countries such as UAE, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, while it is likewise increasing the number of universities and training centres that it will be supporting. Canon will partner with ICDL to offer rewards to students who are enrolled in the summer camps, giving away valuable gift items such as printers and cameras in recognition of the highest achievers among the thousands of ICDL candidates.

Thousands of students all over the region will undergo extensive computer training in accordance with the globally recognised ICDL standard through the summer camps. The participants are expected to achieve the ICDL "Start" certification after passing official tests that not only affirm their competence in using computer and Internet, but also showcase their resourcefulness, self confidence and responsibility.

“Developing the skills and competencies of the youth is a very important undertaking that will greatly help in developing highly competent and reliable leaders and innovators of the future. Knowledge and skills in computer applications are particularly crucial now more than ever as the GCC region aims to build a knowledge-based digital society. Canon is therefore keen to support the ICDL Summer Camps for the second year in a row as we are confident that this program will serve as a tool towards achieving our vision of creating a better future for our society," said Anurag Agrawal, Managing Director, Canon Middle East.

Jamil Ezzo, Director General of ICDL GCC Foundation added: "ICDL computer summer camps are celebrating their 10^th anniversary this year and we are pleased with the immense success we have attained so far. It is with the support of the government and the contributions of our academic and training partners as well as keen sponsors like Canon that we have been able to sustain this exciting program year after year. We are committed to expanding the scope of digital awareness throughout the GCC and will spare no effort in achieving our mission of empowering people with computer skills for life."

Meanwhile, Canon Middle East revealed that it is also conducting a series of special photography skills development training sessions in the various universities that are hosting the ICDL camps in UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman. Canon’s training sessions cover basics of photography, including better composition, capture and printing.

Canon's support of the ICDL Summer Camps is in line with the company's corporate philosophy of ‘kyosei,’ which envisions all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future.