Qatar
Partners hail ictQATAR’s digital initiative for migrant workers
Partners hail ictQATAR’s digital initiative for migrant workers
(From Left) Microsoft Qatar Country Manager Naim Yazbeck, ictQATAR Digital Society Department Executive Director Reem al-Mansouri, RAF CEO Dr Mohamed Salah Ibrahim, and Rota Executive Director Essa al-Mannai at the signing ceremony yesterday. PICTURES: Jayan Orma
A senior ictQATAR official has hailed the MoUs the ministry signed yesterday with such institutions and entities as Microsoft Qatar, Reach Out to Asia (Rota), Supreme Committee for Legacy and Delivery, and Thani bin Thani bin Abdulla Humanitarian Services (RAF) for enhancing the digital capabilities of unskilled workers under its Better Connection Programme.ictQATAR’s Digital Society Department Executive Director Reem al-Mansouri expressed delight in seeing a lot of enthusiasm from a growing number of public and private organisations in joining the programme, broaden its scope and increase the number of migrant workers who will benefit from the whole exercise.”The official felt the MoU signing reaffirmed the ictQATAR’s commitment to achieving digital inclusion across the country’s migrant labour force.” Al-Mansouri expressed hope that the efforts would bear good results in coming years as the country is expected to receive more migrant workers for executing major infrastructure works.At each compound a certain number of migrant workers will be selected and trained to become ‘Digital Inclusion Champions’, who, later, will be cascading their newly developed knowledge to their colleagues.Microsoft Qatar, which is going to be an active partner in the entire exercise, will contribute in the form of software donation, where the company will donate 1,000 free Windows OS and Office licenses to RAF non-profit under the Microsoft Software Donation Programme.“Microsoft Qatar is honoured to partner the Ministry of ICT to take part in the Better Connections Programme. We are fully committed to this important initiative and to providing all the necessary support to ensure its success. We look forward to working closely with the Ministry of ICT and the rest of the stakeholders to make an impact on our local community,” said General Manager of Microsoft Qatar Naim Yazbeck at yesterday’s meeting.Rota Executive Director Essa al-Mannai said: “We will continue to support low-income workers in our community, helping them grow digital skills and stay connected to the community and to their families.Also speaking CEO of RAF Dr Mohamed Salah Ibrahim said their charity is delighted at partnering with major institutions, entities and the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology for implementing such a major initiative aimed at in bridging the digital gap. “We consider this initiative from ictQATAR is very much in line with the goals and objectives of the RAF,” he said, while adding that ictQATAR has contributed considerably to raise the profile of the country, and serving its residents,” he added.The Better Connections Programme was first launched in May 2014 at Qitcom.While announcing the Supreme Council for Delivery and Legacy’s support to the whole initiative in a statement yesterday its Secretary General Hassan al-Thawadi said: “We (SC) are proud to be a part of the Better Connections Programme and to join with partner institutions in mobilising resources to improve the welfare of workers in Qatar”.“If a worker helping the country deliver World Cup projects is able to acquire new skills that he can take back home with him, especially a skill such as digital literacy, which could help improve a worker’s future employment prospects then we have taken a significant stride towards leaving a sustainable social legacy.”Director of Health, Safety, Security and Environment of Qatar Foundation Mohamed Ahmed Bakhamis said: “The Better Connections Programme is a superb low-cost solution which is closely aligned with the country’s efforts to provide Internet services.”“As communicated in the QF’s mandatory standards for workers’ welfare, the foundation places huge value on the role that Internet connectivity can play in enhancing the living standards of individuals. We look to set an example for the ethical treatment of workers.”Reacting to the development CH2M Hill’s Vice-President and General Manager for Qatar Mike Abdel Fattah said: “We believe in working with our clients and partners to make a positive difference in the communities we serve.”These are powerful new skills that can foster social mobility, he said while adding that ictQATAR has shown great foresight in implementing this initiative and we at CH2M Hill are proud to be a partner,” said Abdel-Fattah.