EDUCATION

ECDL Foundation International Forum supports i2010

Strategy for growth and employment:

ECDL Foundation’s Annual Forum brought together delegates from 52 international organisations and informatics societies representing 148 countries, to plan future activities in support of the i2010 strategy and launch the new syllabus for the ECDL/ ICDL Advanced programme.

This international event focused on three important themes underlying ECDL/ ICDL programmes which support the i2010 strategy: building the Information Society, enabling growth and employment through helping society and the economy reap the benefits of digital literacy, and empowering individuals with the skills necessary to participate in the Information Society.

High profile speakers such as Dr. Christian Dorninger, from the Austrian Ministry of Education and Dr. Ekram Fathi from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Egypt stressed the importance of digital competencies and the need for ministries to work together to make the Information Society a reality for all.

Dr. Theo Lynn from Dublin City University and Dr. Sam DiGangi from Arizona State University addressed the future of education and informatics in a changing world and the need for lifelong learning.

This meeting enabled the ECDL Foundation to reinforce its commitment to the i2010 strategy and to recognise initiatives and projects that are considered successful examples of best practice in implementing ECDL / ICDL programmes and raising the levels of digital literacy in their regions. ICDL Sri Lanka, the most successful Licencee in the Asia Pacific was represented by Dr. Harsha Alles.

ICDL has established itself as the most recognised ICT skills qualification in Sri Lanka. Several Government and Private Institutions including District and Divisional Secretariats of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Hambantota and Matara, Department of Pensions, Foreign Employment Bureau, Sri Lanka Navy, Laksala, Registrar General’s Department, Ministry of Education, UNDP, Worldvision etc. have trained their staff in e-Citizen and ICDL.

Speaking at the Awards ceremony, CEO of the ECDL Foundation, Damien O’ Sullivan, noted that “At the ECDL Foundation, we believe that providing digital literacy skills for all is a social, economic and political imperative as well as an important catalyst for growth, we are proud to announce our continued commitment to supporting the i2010 strategy for growth and jobs through our internationally-recognised certification programmes, which harness the benefits of ICT for social and economic life for all”.

ECDL Foundation is the global body of the world’s leading end-user computer skills certification programme.

It’s a not-for-profit organisation dedicated raising the level of computer skills in society and providing access for all to the Information Society. Known as ICDL outside of Europe with over eight million candidates participating in a range of programmes, ECDL Foundation has set the global benchmark in end-user skills certification.

Brave World personality development workshops

‘Brave World’ is a series of children’s workshops focused on personality development and character building. They are designed to build dynamic, confident and self motivated children through exciting learning experiences. Since its commencement in 2006 over 3000 children have attended ‘Brave World’.

This December, a series of programmes will be held at Brave World Centre, Colombo for children of 6-8, 9-11, 12-14 and 14-17.

For the 6-8 year age groups a Confidence Plus, Smart Kids and Values Development workshop will be held this holiday season. Some of the focal issues addressed in the Values workshop will be the need to be kind, helpful, sharing and understanding; an integral part of character building. The Sociability Development Workshop- Smart Kids is aimed at helping children to socialise and develop relationships whilst also affording many teamwork and leadership opportunities.

There will be two Confidence Plus workshops aimed at 6-8 and 9-11 age groups, these workshops will enable children to communicate confidently and to make presentations with self-assurance and pride; the platform for total personality development.

The Inspiration Plus and Leadership Development programme will be conducted for both 9-11 and 12-14 age groups. The Inspiration Plus workshop involves making children focus on the future by inculcating a passion for success.

The main message in the Leadership programme is that the child must strive to be a leader, believe in him or herself as a leader and be an example to others whilst giving them many opportunities to lead a group of peers.

An IQ Plus workshop is also planned for children of 12-14. It focuses on logical-mathematical intelligence, spatial intelligence (picture smart) and linguistic smart. IQ development is a prerequisite not only for academic excellence but also for social integration. An Academic Excellence and Memory Techniques workshop will be held for children of 14-17. All the programmes are interactive with many exciting activities, presentations, video clips, teamwork games and discussions.

Brave World programmes are created by renowned Corporate Trainer Gihan Talgodapitiya, who has plenty of experience in conducting similar programmes in the Asian Region.

IPM Vice President awarded degree

Vice President (council member) of the Institute of Personnel Management(IPM), Deputy Chairman - Business School, Chairman of the Exhibition Committee and former Treasurer of IPM Institute Ajith R. de Costa has successfully completed the MBA programme with the University of Rajarata and was formally awarded the certificate at the convocation held at BMICH on November 27.

De Costa is presently employed as the Human Resources Manager at Royal Ceramics Limited.

He has started his career as an Assistant Secretary-Computer Services, National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka and subsequently completed the National Diploma in HRM (NDHRM) at IPM has routed his initial Information Technology career to Human Resources Management.