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As an Arab proverb says: “The need is the mother of creation”.
We can say that the need in your society led to the creation of this network you are describing.
The NGO’s should be thanked enormously for their efforts.
The question that comes to my mind here and I want to ask you is:
What is the role of men in this?
Are they supportive for women?
Did they support that their women and daughters enroll in such a program in order to learn and develop themselves?
The importance of this program is its humanitarian stories
and life changing testimonies.
Very sad and touching testimonies.
We agreed that some women come accompanied by their brothers
or a man from the family.
Moreover, the cost is very symbolic in comparison with other courses:
if men attend, they pay full tuition,
however women pay very symbolic prices in order to support them.
This encourages men especially in the old-fashioned regions.
However, we have also a more liberalized spirit in other regions
were women participate in the workforce and prove themselves.
Here we can notice the difference mindsets in the society.
At this point, it would be good for you to watch a testimony of a woman who took the women in technology program:
My name is Sarah Rbeich, i started the WIT training
My friend told me about it, and he enrolled me in it
Now i am extremely happy
The instructors are excellent and answer all our questions in details
We liked all the courses we are learning
I enrolled expecting something limited
However, I am discovering that it is an extremely advanced and professional training
I don't want it to finish, i am curious learning more and more
If there are new programs, i will enroll again because i want to learn them too
I thank IT Lebanon a lot for providing us with such chance to learn
Those programs are extremely important and service people
We lack such programs in the region dedicated to human advancement
For the young generation, they are so valuable since they allow us to apply to interesting jobs
In fact, nowadays, in whatever which field, computers are a must
And if you don't have a computer degree, you will not qualify for the job
The priority is always for people holding a degree in computer, who know how to use Word, Excel and PowerPoint
And there are also some things we ignored and we got introduced to them here
this is an extreme value added in the region knowing that
It is an extremely professional content with such special enrollment rates
There are some specialized schools where such courses are taught but
They doesn't provide all the features of this program!
This one of the many available testimonies,
it is unfortunate that we do not have the time to watch them all.
The question that comes here, as suggested by the young lady who said:
“I wish I can always improve myself”, is:
how long is the program? Is there a certificate as the young lady mentioned?
The program started in 2005, supposedly just for one year.
However, the tremendous success it witnessed
and the positive feedback in the society in Yemen
and the success stories resulting from it,
we have been able to convince our funding organization to pursue the program.
And we thank them: Microsoft and MEPI
for their continuous support and the renewal of their funding for the program.
Knowing that we are here in Lebanon now in 2009
and the program is extended until 2010 and hopefully even more!
The duration of a curriculum is from 2 months and a half to 3 months: 10 weeks.
I wish we could tell our audience now in Lebanon and in the Arab World,
especially in Lebanon since we are based here,
how can they contact you, enroll and benefit from this program?
We have partners in the country.
And each partner is responsible of telling where his organization is operating
with all the details in small advertising campaigns.
However, since we cannot state now all the partner organizations in the 9 countries, they can visit our website:
www.witmena.org
feel free to contact us and enquire about more details.
Last word or wish, you would like to say Basma,
in order to express your thoughts concerning the program in Iraq?
This program became a very active and efficient one in our society;
use it for education, for enlightening people and widening their perspectives,
from here comes its sustainability.
As the Microsoft’s curricula offered is called: “Unlimited potential”,
I consider that the Women in Technology program in Iraq is offering Women and the society
an “Unlimited Potential!”
Mr Ali Haraki, in conclusion, with respect to all women,
are there some ideas created by women, which requires protection?
Behind every important man, there is a woman.
Therefore, men’s ideas are in fact coming from women.
And who steals a woman her rights is hurting half of the society.
In Copyright issues, and intellectual rights protection,
there is equality between men and women.
Whatever the sex is, an artist or a creator should be protected by the law without any discrimination,
in order for the creative process to be encouraged and motivated,
which in returns helps the humanity through innovation.
Now we are talking about blogging and blogging is open for everyone,
which requires protecting intellectual rights.
Nowadays, an internet user not only receives information,
but he also sends information.
Here also intellectual property rights play a role in the content creation:
here in the Arab world we have a civilization,
we have culture, we have content,
thus protecting intellectual property rights is essential,
because the coming economical fight will be about intellectual property rights.
The 21st century is the century for property rights by excellence.
I would like to thank the present here. I will start with you Mr. Haraki:
welcome to the antipiracy director at Microsoft: Mr. Ali Haraki,
we also welcome the program manager of Women in Technology in Lebanon: Nada Hamzeh,
and also from Iraq, the program manager of Women in Technology in Iraq: Basma Alkhatib.
Thank you all of you!
and we will keep always updated with your program news!