Kazakhstan · 3 January 2019 · 2 min
For the first time in Kazakhstan high school students received International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) certification having successfully completed examinations on 14 May 2010. Six grade eight students from Schools #5 and #1 in Tekeli received ICDL credentials and SPCE Certificates of Achievements for the “Using Computer and Managing Files “course.
In 2010 the University of Central Asia’s School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Almaty Oblast Department of Education to promote ICDL, and with the assistance of Tekeli Education Department piloted ICDL modules in secondary schools #1 and #5. SPCE provided the curriculum, and learning resources also published in Kazakh, and conducted a professional development course for teachers.
The ICDL Programme, operated by the European Computer Driving License Foundation, offers a range of high standard IT qualifications based on globally unified benchmarks, endorsed and recognised world-wide by computer societies, international organisations and academic institutions.
The mother of one of the students receiving a certificate - Akatkhan Didar, said: “We are oralman (repatriates) and we came from China. Didar was able to study at your programme even though she does not know Russian and we do not have a PC at home. It was very challenging for her to master everything, but she got the highest score and we are very happy for her." Didar’s success was possible, in part, because SPCE’s ICDL programme is also delivered in Kazakh.
Students of TVET programme place second and third in the Oblast competition
In May 2011, students of SPCE UCA’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Programmes placed second and third in the Oblast competition of vocational school students. The competition involved fit-out and general construction works. SPCE’s runner-up student received a 25,000 Kazakh Tenge prize, with the third-place student getting 10,000 Tenger.
SPCE's vocational programme launched in 2009 is implemented in cooperation with the Koksu Agricultural College. To date, seventy-two learners have graduated from this programme.