King Saud University (KSU) has adopted the ICDL standard as a benchmark of digital literacy for first-year students of the university and the educational entities it supervises.

The move aims to equip students with basic computer and internet skills, allowing them to take advantage of modern technology to enhance learning and eventually improve their prospects in the labour market.

KSU has revealed that the preparatory year will serve as a training and testing period for students to acquire the ICDL certificate, which is recognised locally and internationally.

KSU has also disclosed that other higher education institutions, including the Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University, the first university for girls in Saudi Arabia, and University of Tabuk have already implemented the ICDL program.

'KSU's move to adopt the ICDL program is an important step that will encourage other universities and academic institutions in Saudi Arabia to be more actively involved in promoting IT literacy through the ICDL program,' said Dr Sulaiman Al-Dhalaan, managing director, ICDL Saudi Arabia.

The Centre of Computer and Hobbies in KSU, in cooperation with ICDL Saudi Arabia, has subsidised up to around 50 per cent of the total cost of examinations for ICDL's seven modules, which it has been offering within the university.

In addition, KSU has also established an Approved ICDL Training and Testing Centre for the visually impaired students and has provided qualified staff and administrators to manage the specialised centre.

ICDL is an integrated digital literacy program recognised worldwide. The program empowers individuals with the essential skills and knowledge of computer and practical use of common desktop applications.

ICDL is endorsed by education ministries, universities and government organisations and it is accredited by more than 168 countries and is available in more than 40 languages.-TradeArabia News Service