News

Tamkeen’s Summer Camp

Tamkeen’s Summer Camp imparts key
IT skills to visually impaired students

Tamkeen, an initiative of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister aimed at empowering visually impaired people, is conducting a summer camp for visually-impaired high-school students to teach them key information technology (IT) skills. The eight-week summer camp, which started on the 1 July, will run till the end of August, 2005.

Covering areas such as general IT awareness, computer applications, Windows, Office (basics including Word) and key board typing, the 96-hour camp seeks to develop students’ skills in basic software programmes that would supplement their learning experience in school.

“Technology for people with special needs has evolved to a level that allows them to become as effective participants in social and cultural life as anyone else,” said Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Director of Tamkeen. “This summer camp imparts certain IT skills that will help visually impaired students widen their educational horizons and lead more productive lives. The camp also addresses the need for IT skills to be learned at a young, formative stage in the lives of people with special needs,” he added.

The training is provided by Tamkeen’s sister organisation, the HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum IT Education Programme (ITEP). ITEP has developed several cutting-edge technologies and solutions over the last few years for people with social needs.

Upon completion of the summer training, the seven students participating in the camp will be awarded a certificate.

About Tamkeen
Tamkeen is a non-profit centre initiated by H.H General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and supported by Knowledge Village, British Council, and biz-ability aimed at empowering vision impaired individuals in UAE through training, support, and counseling. Tamkeen operates in association with Dubai Knowledge Village and is mainly sponsored by Emirates Airlines.

Tuesday, August 02, 2005