TAG-Org?s Arab Omani Training Institute and WIT to Provide Cambridge IT Skills Diploma

The Cambridge Diploma in IT Skills was designed and developed by the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and administered by the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org) through the Arab Omani Training Institute in Oman

MUSCAT ---15 November 2009 --- The Women in Technology (WIT) Oman program and the Omani Women?s Association will launch a joint pilot project this week in cooperation with the Arab Omani Training Institute, a member of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org) to provide 45 WIT graduates with the opportunity to sit for Cambridge Diploma in IT Skills Certificate.

Upon successful completion of this exam, WIT graduates will receive the distinguished Cambridge IT Skills Certificate recognized by Oman?s Ministry of Manpower.

The Cambridge Diploma in IT Skills was designed and developed by the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). In Oman, this certification program is administered by the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org) through the Arab Omani Training Institute.

By enrolling in WIT training courses, participants are well prepared to sit for the Cambridge Diploma in IT Skills Exam, which covers 7 out of the 8 modules included in Microsoft?s Unlimited Potential (UP) Curriculum. Through its partnership with Microsoft, WIT participants receive 112 hours of training in Microsoft?s UP Curriculum plus 35 hours of Professional Development (Soft Skills) Training.

Starting Nov. 14, TAG-Org will provide WIT graduates with 15 hours of test preparation training prior to sitting for the exam so that participants become accustomed to the exam format. Actual testing is scheduled to take place Nov. 21 ?23 at the Omani Women?s Association in Muscat.

?Part of WIT?s core mission is to provide women from all backgrounds access to high quality, affordable computer and professional development training so that they may advance both personally and professionally. Having the Cambridge Diploma in IT skills certification, endorsed by the Ministry of Manpower, greatly enhances women?s employability and access to the job market. The pilot will also allow us to evaluate our training and see how we measure up to other international computer training standards,? said Nicole Manapol, program officer from the Institute of International Education (IIE). The Institute manages the WIT program in Oman and eight other MENA countries.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of Professional Services Mr. Majdi Al-Abyad said, "We, at TAG-Org, believe that we have a social responsibility towards the Arab Countries. Oman was the forth Arab country giving TAG-Org a permission to open an office, and for the last 30 years we were proud to serve the economy of this country.?

?We are glad to cooperate with all the parties in this social program; the project in Oman will be the model to be implemented in other Arab countries. It is worth mentioning that more than 7000 Omanis were certified in ICT literacy since 2006, and 25 sub-centers now in Oman are offering the Abu-Ghazaleh Cambridge Diploma,? he added.

Based on the success of this pilot project, WIT will explore further collaboration with TAG-Org to expand Cambridge IT Skills certification opportunities to participants at WIT?s twelve other training sites.

Women in Technology (WIT) Oman is funded by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), US Department of State, managed by the Institute of International Education (IIE) and implemented in collaboration with the Omani Women?s Association Muscat and the Ministry of Social Development. Since its launch in 2006, WIT Oman has trained nearly 1,700 women and built the capacity of 14 local women?s organizations in the Muscat, Dhofar, Al-Batinah, Al-Buraimi, Al-Sharqiya and Al-Thahra Regions.

Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org)
TAG-Org, your global partner in 71 offices and 180 correspondents, for all your business needs: auditing, valuation, management consulting, ICT development, business advisory, training, educational consultancy, capital services, human resources development, real estate consulting, translation, legal service, intellectual property rights protection and domain name registration.

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