The National Information Center (NIC) at the  Saudi Ministry of Interior, and ICDL Saudi Arabia (International Computer Driving Licence), have signed an agreement that accredits NIC as an ICDL training and testing center.

As per the agreement, all employees of the Ministry and other government sectors will be taught essential concepts of computers 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.

“Through the NIC, we aim to further emphasize the role of IT in improving governance and sustaining national growth,” said Dr Sulaiman Al-Dhalaan, managing director, ICDL Saudi Arabia.

The National Information Center was established by the Saudi Interior Minister 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.

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.-TradeArabia News Service