ICDL GCC Foundation, the governing body of the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) Programme in the GCC member states, has recently refused to renew ICDL accreditation of a number of training institutes across the region, for failing to comply with the ICDL international standards.
ICDL GCC Foundation is reviewing the performance of its accredited centres to guarantee that ICDL candidates receive full benefit from the ICDL programme, and called on all its Accredited Centres to adhere to the ICDL standards to ensure effective training and improved success rate in the ICDL official testing.
A recent analysis by ICDL GCC Foundation showed that test results in some centres in the region are substandard, while other centres are in par with the international average. This is attributed to the significant contribution of the trainer qualification and the quality of training provided in the classroom. The ICDL standards specifically calls on all accredited centres to provide candidates with a minimum of 60 hours of training using approved courseware and allow them a preview of the test environment prior to taking the official ICDL test.
"ICDL GCC Foundation is adamant about protecting the integrity of the ICDL certificate, and enforces high standards that ensure candidates receive maximum benefit. Because of our syllabus and uniform operating standards across the world, the ICDL programme is endorsed by renowned academic institutions as well as employers in the government and private sectors in 140 countries. Our accredited training and testing centres play a major role in upholding the integrity and the continuous growth of the ICDL programme. Those centres who fail to comply with the standards will simply be discontinued from the programme," said Jamil Ezzo, Director General of ICDL GCC Foundation.
ICDL GCC Foundation places great significance on the competence of instructors. Each accredited centre is required to have all ICDL trainers complete their ICDL certification and at least one trainer to complete the ICDL Certified Training Professional (CTP) Programme. The CTP Programme, developed by the ECDL Foundation and launched by the ICDL GCC Foundation in the GCC region early this year, aims at promoting best practices to drive up the quality of ICDL training throughout its network of 750 accredited training centres across the Gulf region. The institution of CTP as a requirement for all existing ICDL accredited training centres and new applicants, offers candidates further assurance about the quality of training offered by the centres.
Although the automated performance-based testing methodology employed by ICDL effectively prevents any foul play, ICDL GCC Foundation’s quality assurance officers consistently monitor all test sessions, and stringent action is taken against centres that fail to comply with the ICDL standards. Since the beginning of this year, 15 centres have lost their accreditation due to failure in adhering to the international standards of the ICDL programme.
"The rigorous authorisation and audit processes ICDL GCC Foundation currently has in place ensure that the integrity and quality associated with the ICDL programme is maintained in all our accredited centres. By applying consistent quality standards to the provision of training, the Foundation ensures a significantly high candidate retention and success rate," Ezzo concluded.
About ICDL
International Computer Driving License (ICDL), is an internationally recognized computer proficiency standard that is owned by the European Computer Driving License Foundation (ECDL) and introduced by the UNESCO's Cairo Office (UCO) for Arab states in 2001, is gaining increasing acceptance in the Middle East, with several governments adopting and prescribing it to their employees. The ICDL program exists in over 140 countries, and is offered in 40 languages, including Arabic. The programs offered are all based on one standard syllabus and question set. There are more than 15,000 centres worldwide, above 5 million candidates, more than 1 million issued certificates and over 15 million exams have been taken globally since the launch of the program year 1997.
About ICDL GCC Foundation
ICDL GCC Foundation was created by the ECDL Foundation, the not-for-profit global governing body of the ECDL and ICDL member countries dedicated to helping raise the general level of computer skills in societies and providing access for all to the information society, to serve the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Member States with their implementation of IT literacy and for providing them with localized support to ensure quality of ICDL programs. The ICDL GCC Foundation is the sole accreditation body that is responsible to support ICDL accredited training and testing centers in the GCC. It also acts as the reviewing and approving body for the local adaptation of ICDL programs.
