Virtual University, ICWFD.ORG and UNIDO sign a tripartite MOU to promote “Easylearning” in Pakistan.

October 17th, 2002 (Lahore, ICWFD, VU, UNIDO) Virtual University, UNIDO and the International Commission on Workforce Development (ICWFD.ORG), announced the signing of a tripartite MOU to promote Easylearning in Pakistan, today in a press conference held here in Lahore.

ICWFD.ORG through its strategic alliance with Serebra Learning Corporation, owns, and has acquired rights to distribute, a range of computer based training courses ("Easylearning"), Courseware deployment systems, and associated trademarks and trade names to provide High Quality WBT (Web Based Training) at nominal costs to the underprivileged of the 133 developing countries of the G77 UN. The first E-learning portal of Pakistan an initiative of WOL was launched last month, in collaboration with ICWFD.ORG.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is carrying out multi-dimensional activities throughout the under developed world for sustainable economic and industrial development, poverty alleviation, environmental protection and human resources development with the use of modern technology; and its objective in this endeavor is promotion and facilitation of e-learning through developing and exercising synergies with Virtual University and the International Commission on Workforce Development.

Virtual University, one of the top priority projects of the Ministry of Science and Technology, intends to exploit the potential of Information Technology as a key contributor to the socio-economic development of Pakistan. Its aim is to contribute to the development of Human Resource in the field and make Pakistan an important player in IT industry. To further that aim and promote e-learning in Pakistan, it would value add to the online Courseware by providing physical facility for authenticating of students who take these courses and to certify the e-learners after course completion.

The goal of this partnership is to support the impressive growth in Pakistan's E-learning sector, by improving both, the quantity and quality of its IT professionals. The Pakistan market is clearly huge, however, people are disillusioned by the insufficiency of existing IT courses in finding them suitable jobs, or in enabling them to continue higher studies abroad.
Based on the TBT titles made available by Serebra to ICWFD.ORG at nominal rates for the G77 countries, Dr. Naveed Malik, the rector of Pakistan's first Virtual University is developing appropriate packages of instruction and student testing mechanisms in close consultation with the IT industry. "This is the standard industrial approach to quality," says Dr. Malik. "If my product is to be acceptable to you, my output quality control specifications must match those of your incoming quality control.".
At the same time, efforts are being made to gain recognition of these courses by leading international universities. Once again, examinations will be devised to match the requirements of those universities. Depending on whether the student wishes to study further, or start working immediately, he/she will be able to sit for different kinds of exam.
Finally, an instructional package is being made available to IT teachers. "To strengthen the giant tree that the Indian IT industry has become," says Dr. Malik, "you have to nourish the roots: the teachers."

"ICWFD.ORG has searched carefully for the right business partner in Pakistan to promote its mandate of providing High quality IT training to the underprivileged masses of the developing countries. It has found that partner in Dr. Naveed Malik, who has the wide range of skills and dedication to education and human resource development that this initiative demands," said Dr. Asad U. Shah Director Strategic Alliances of ICWFD.ORG.
Virtual University will immediately have access to the Serebra courseware library and the Easylearning technology platforms: the Synapse Corporate Learning Management System for Learning Service Provider delivery.

"The Easylearning” content is just what we have been looking for: comprehensive, pertinent, and easy to manage and enhance. Above all, what impressed us is their flexibility in addressing the massive education potential, and a commitment to the long haul." Said Dr. Carlos Suarez Chanduvi the Country head of UNIDO, Pakistan,

Dr. Chanduvi further remarked that:
"I commend everyone for this initiative and would like to add that Serebra's superior content, coupled with the flexibility of their packaging and the affordability and ease of use of their learning technology, will go a long way in developing the IT skills of our local students and makes them the obvious choice for the Pakistan market, and its growth as a nation."

ICWFD.ORG believes that everyone in the developing countries (DC s) should have access to the opportunities that the technology sector has to offer and this partnership makes training equally available to everyone at a negligible cost," said Dr. Carlos Chanduvi, Through this Easylearning Initiative, ICWFD.ORG is making access to a comprehensive library of award-winning courses possible. These courses will provide DC’s with access to e-Learning courseware featuring advanced course presentation, feedback and simulation.

Thanks to the global reach of this initiative, Serebra will be able to bring its e-learning courseware to millions of people around the world and specially the poor.