In a move to safeguard the global standard and the integrity of the International Computer Driving License (ICDL) program, ICDL GCC Foundation, the governing body and certification authority of the ICDL program in the Gulf region, has issued a warning to the public about non-ICDL approved centres falsely claiming to provide ICDL program in the region. This comes as part of an effort to better protect the interest of prospective ICDL candidates and to ensure that they receive maximum benefit from the program. The Foundation has also warned that certificates issued from non-approved centres are not issued by the ICDL GCC Foundation and there for not recognized internationally.
To raise public awareness, ICDL GCC Foundation has called upon all organizations looking to adopt the ICDL global standard for their employees as well as all prospective candidates interested in undergoing the ICDL program to visit the Foundation’s website (www.icdlgcc.com), where they can select a convenient ICDL approved training and testing centre from a long list. This way, candidates can be assured that they enrol in a centre that adheres to the ICDL global standard and comply with the ICDL user entitlements that include receiving ICDL-approved original course material, receiving training from a certified instructor and taking the ICDL testing under the supervision of a quality assurance representative from ICDL and in a suitable environment. In addition, all ICDL approved centres receive and display a plaque declaring them to adhere to the ICDL global standard. This plaque is usually displayed in an obvious place at the training centre and candidates can ask to see it.
“We have received complaints from organisations and prospective candidates regarding some centres claiming to offer ICDL even though they were not approved by us. We only provide our “official stamp of approval” to the centres that fulfil the requirements of the ICDL program. It is unfortunate that the wide popularity of the ICDL program has led some centres to mislead candidates into enrolling in their sub-standard training centres. In line with our commitment to safeguard the integrity of our program, we require all centres that receive our approval to deliver the program according to specific standards. We advise everyone who is interested in the ICDL program to distinguish between approved and non-approved centres, so as to make sure they receive maximum benefit and our authenticated certificate upon successful completion” said Jamil Ezzo, Director General of ICDL-GCC Foundation.
The ICDL GCC Foundation is entrusted to oversee the overall implementation of the ICDL program in the Gulf region. Its mandate is to uphold the international standards and protect the integrity of the ICDL program. It is therefore responsible for reviewing and approving training and testing material being used in the classrooms as well as holds the responsibility of approving training and testing centres through out the region. ICDL requires training centres seeking ICDL approval to fulfil a list of requirements which include operating within an appropriate facility which is furnished and equipped in accordance with certain specifications as well as employ qualified instructors to deliver the program. Prospective centres must also provide an evidence record of their business history of at least one year in IT training.
“ICDL GCC Foundation is determined to ensure the integrity and quality of the ICDL program delivered to end-users, and we therefore urge all prospective candidates to follow our guidelines before enrolling in the program,” Ezzo concluded.
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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 36 languages, including Arabic. The programs offered are all based on one standard syllabus and question set. There are more than 26,000 centres worldwide, above 5 million candidates, more than 1 million issued certificates and over 20 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 to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States with their implementation of ICDL 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.
