Universal ICT Educational Programme

Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3) Course

The National Computer Board (NCB) operating is implementing the Universal ICT Education Programme (UIEP) since September 2006. One of the priorities of the UIEP programme is the introduction of the internationally acknowledged Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3) course with a view of making it the benchmark for digital literacy/proficiency in Mauritius.

The UIEP programme aims at training a maximum number of persons comprising students, employees (including Public Officers), housewives, senior citizens and public at large on the IC3 course in line with Government’s vision to transform Mauritius into a Cyber Island and an ICT Hub.

The IC3 course is of 45-hour duration and is delivered in the computer labs of some 55 State Secondary Schools after school hours on week-days and during weekends.

The IC3 course comprises three core modules: Computing Fundamentals, Key Applications (Word Processing, Spreadsheets, and Presentation Package) and Living Online. A Certificate of Attendance is awarded by the National Computer Board to all those participants who complete at least 41 hours of the course.

The IC3 Exams Certification (internationally recognised) has been introduced by the NCB in collaboration with the University of Mauritius since August 2007.

The IC3 course content has been integrated in the Computer Studies syllabus for students of Grade 7 to Grade 9 in both State and Private Secondary Schools since January 2007 (in Mauritius and Rodrigues). Students of State and Private Secondary Schools completing their grade 9 as from December 2007 also complete the IC3 which has been integrated in their school curriculum.

Moreover, the NCB has produced in collaboration with the former Mauritius College of the Air (now known as the Open University) a series of 12 educational video clips based on the internationally acknowledged IC3 course syllabus. The clips were broadcast on the MBC Channels in a bid to bridge the digital divide.

The UIEP Project has also been implemented in Rodrigues in collaboration with the Commission of Education and Others since March 2007.


As at date, some

0

participants have been trained on the IC3 programme.