eContent Management first batch of trainees graduate

Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) Chief Executive Mohammed Ali AlQaed has honoured the graduates of the first batch of the eContent Management training programme provided by the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) in cooperation with (iGA).

The programme was in line with the objectives of supporting services within the public and private sectors in the Kingdom of Bahrain by linking them to eContent applications.

The graduation ceremony was attended by BIBF Director Solveig Nicklos, a number of directors, officials concerned from both entities together with the graduates.

Eighteen graduates, holding bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication, have participated within the programme, which aims at preparing them to engage in the labour market and apply the eContent practices – moving in line with the national vision that seeks to improve the performance of public and private sectors.

The graduates were professionally trained by a selection of specialised experts within the field. The programme focused on the basics of websites’ content design, content development in Arabic and English, strengthening leadership skills, IT project management and eMarketing campaigns.

Primarily focused on the management of eContent, the programme  combined both classroom academic training for a period of four months along with intensive practical training for six months.

The practical training focused on online Media, Graphic Design as well as Educational Technology in a specific selection of public and private sector organisations.

AlQaed congratulated the graduates and stated during his opening speech that spreading the culture of developing eContent was highly important through training programmes and was part of the comprehensive eGovernment National Programme strategy.

The programme was designed with the purpose of preparing Bahrainis to promote the distribution of the eContent applications as wide as possible and prepare a specialised faculty in the management of eContent while utilise methodologies as well as follow international practices in order to become qualified to manage and develop the eContent in the country’s various government and private entities.

“Launching such training programme was specifically initiated for the lack of website specialists who possess the knowledge and skills of designing, developing, maintaining and managing eContent along with other proficiencies related to leadership, IT project management and eMarketing campaigns,” said AlQaed.

“Created following a decision of the Supreme Committee for Information and Communication Technology (SCICT), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, the eContent administrator’s job has been introduced to develop this field within the Kingdom’s government sector. Such initiative reflects the support of the SCICT and its recognition of the need to continue to progress, become a pioneer and up-to-date with the contemporary changes as well as remain – as always – at the top,” added AlQaed.

Nicklos emphasised the role of cooperating with the Information and  eGovernment Authority in supporting the local staff, noting that BIBF’s primary responsibility is to offer programmes that are in consistence with quality and international standards of professional education and training.

She explained that the element, which distinguishes BIBF’s work is its vast experience as a specialised strategic partner which collaborates with a wide range of institutions and professional international associations that provide professional certificates and offer accredited professional as well as specialised training based on long deep experience of staff working at the institute.

BIBF follows internationally-recognised professional qualifications awarded in partnerships with global learning partners such as Edexcel, Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) together with Project Management Institute (PMI).

The programmer has focused on strengthening the various skills acquired by the trainees, including written communication in English through multimedia, which were presented in 70 hours of theoretical and practical training, leadership and management skills in a duration of 20 hours of training, as well as project management and eMarketing in a duration of 23 hours of training, beside 60 hours of training in technology and design.  All the skills listed in the programme are equivalent to that offered in advanced programes among several prestigious institutes around the world.

Photo: Information and eGovernment Authority CE Mohammed Ali AlQaed and BIBF Director Solveig Nicklos with other dignitaries during the graduation ceremony