Internet Access and Training Program (IATP)

IATP News from Central Asia

January 7-21, 2005

TAJIKISTAN

Citizens of Tajikistan Discuss Preparations for Parliamentary Elections Online

An IATP staff member types the
answers of Muhibullo Dodojonov,
Chair of the Central Commission
on Elections and Referendums
(left)

On January 14, over 30 citizens of Tajikistan, including alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programs, journalists, educators, and students, gathered in nine IATP access sites across the country for an online discussion about the upcoming parliamentary elections with Muhibullo Dodojonov, Chair of the Central Commission on Elections and Referendums, Mahmud Saraev, Press Secretary of the Presidential Administration on Elections, and representatives of political parties. All six registered political parties in Tajikistan were invited to participate in the event, and representatives of the Social Democratic and Communist parties took advantage of the opportunity. The event was the second in a series of elections-related online chats held by IATP to provide the population with the opportunity to learn more about the country’s electoral system and political parties. Several changes recently adopted by referendum in 2003 and in the parliament in 2004 have made it more difficult to hold free and fair elections in Tajikistan. Recent measures include one allowing the President to stay in power until 2020, and another requiring candidates to pay a $500 fee to get their names on the ballot for the elections to the Majlisi Namoyandagon, the lower chamber of the Tajik parliament, to be held on February 27. During the chat moderated by IATP staff, the guest speakers answered questions covering different aspects of the upcoming elections, electoral procedures, and the parties’ platforms. Television journalist Muhayo Muratova from TV Regar of Tursunzade asked for clarification of Article 39 of the Constitution governing elections, and its provisions relating to private media. Saraev answered, “According to this law, political candidates and parties can use TV and radio up to 15 and 30 minutes respectively during the campaign to promote their position, and it concerns only state owned TV and radio.” At a time when most Tajik citizens feel that they lack sufficient information through television, radio, and newspapers about the parliamentary elections, the network of 11 IATP access sites in Tajikistan is providing an alternative channel of information through free access to information online. Nine national and local media outlets covered the online discussion, including Sugd Regional TV with more than one and half million viewers, the Tajik service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, with over a million listeners, and Bomdod Newspaper in Kurgan-Tube with a circulation of 5,000.

Alumni Conduct IATP Trainings

1,415 alumni led 1,725 training sessions at IATP access sites in 2004;
During the past year, more than 14,000 IATP users participated in alumni-led trainings sessions;
IATP, with the help of alumni, trains an average of 7,076 people each month.

alumni
Vladislav Yskov and Manuchehr
Khalikov at the Alumni Resource
Center in Dushanbe type a
challenging question to the Kurgan-
Tube team

Students Across Tajikistan Practice Debating Skills Online
On January 11, the IATP access sites in Dushanbe, Kurgan-Tube, Tursunzade, and Kanibadam hosted an online debate competition in Russian on important political and economic issues among high school students. The purpose of the event, which was the first of its kind in Tajikistan, was to use the Internet to promote debating skills among young people across the country. IATP staff moderated two debates as part of the competition. During the first debate, the team from Kanibadam argued that Tajikistan should cooperate more with the West for development. The Tursunsade team argued that Tajikistan should cooperate more with Russia than with the West. In the second debate, Dushanbe squared off against Kurgan-Tube on the question of whether development of democracy is a realistic possibility in Tajikistan, given the country’s lack of experience with democratic systems of government. Based on their level of preparation, use of logic, and persuasiveness of argument, a panel of judges consisting of IATP staff declared the Kanibadam and Dushanbe teams the winners. Dushanbe student Vladislav Yskov remarked, “I have never participated in Internet debates, but really liked it today. It is somewhat different from the debates I used to participate where one can influence opponents psychologically when speaking to them, but here you have to give facts to prove your statements. I am very glad that I participated in this event that was new to me.” The event was helpful in improving students’ debating skills using Internet resources to promote dialogue and free discussion of vital questions shaping society.

KAZAKHSTAN

Community Internet and Training Center in Shymkent Moves Toward Sustainability

From January 2 to 7, librarian Aigul Ibragimova conducted the first fee-based training on word processing at the Shymkent Community Internet and Training Center (CITC) in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. The South Kazakhstan Regional Youth Library (SKRYL), the partner organization that provides free space to IATP, is one of two sites in Kazakhstan selected by IATP management to be transformed into CITCs, access sites that are financially viable through contributions from local businesses and modest fees from community members using the site. On September 24 and 25, three staff members of SKRYL underwent interactive training along with IATP staff in financial management, strategic planning and fundraising at a conference in Ust-Kamenogorsk. Together they developed a sustainability plan through which the access site will move toward self-sufficiency while maintaining an educational focus, a mission to expand access to the general public, and the active participation of alumni. The plan included extensive training in information technology for librarians so that they could manage the CITC and train the general public. By the end of 2004, the librarians were ready to conduct all of the CITC’s proposed fee-based services, including the creation of quality websites and a variety of computer training courses, with the most reasonable prices in southern Kazakhstan. The fee at the CITC for an intensive four-day course in word processing is only 700 tenge per person, which is approximately six US dollars, while competitors in the region charge a minimum of $25 for similar courses. Ibragimova remarked, “After completing IATP trainings, I realized the importance of the Internet and the necessity of the CITC for the development of the local community, and I contribute to it by conducting trainings.” CITC staff will join hands with the local Alumni Advisory Council and assume full responsibility for the access site once IATP funding from the Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs ends.

Doctors Create Website in Shymkent, Kazakhstan

On January 13, Nurgul Saliyeva, a pulmonologist at the South Kazakhstan Regional Clinical Hospital, completed a website on pulmonology after completing a week-long Web design course at the IATP access site in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. Saliyeva has been using IATP’s facilities for a little over a year to search for lung-related information online and raise her professional qualifications. Last September, Saliyeva formed a group of six doctors to attend IATP’s Step-by-Step trainings, and together they looked through online medical resources to find the most efficient devices, medications, and practices to treat lung diseases. In November 2004, IATP staff taught them Web design and helped the doctors prepare text and photographs for the website. Their new Web resource contains extensive information on the diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases, lectures for medical students, and even tips on how to properly use a liquid spray inhaler. The website is for both medical professionals and regular people seeking information about lung diseases. For non-doctors, the website explains the symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia, how to cure these diseases in their early stages, and how to prevent acute attacks. Saliyeva says that the team plans to create a Kazakh version of the website soon.

TURKMENISTAN

Alumna Launches Online Course in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

trainer
Burmistrova makes final edits
to her course at the Alumni Resource
Center in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

On January 18, mathematics teacher Valentina Burmistrova (Fulbright 04) registered the twenty-first student to participate in her course entitled “Math for the College Applicant,” hosted on the IATP distance learning (DL) portal. For three and a half months, Burmistrova and six other DL consultants have participated in a series of trainings led by IATP staff, who covered all aspects of creating modules for DL courses such as lessons, forums, chats, tests, and glossaries. Burmistrova was the first DL consultant to finish her course and is preparing to launch it. Her six-week course is tailored to prepare students for their college entrance exams. Unlike the United States, Turkmenistan does not have a single, standard admissions test; rather, students must pass a combination of subject-based tests related to the discipline they wish to study. Course registrant Maysa Allaberdiyeva remarked, “Valentina’s course is really important for young people of Turkmenistan who are eager to study, but who lack the chance to be enrolled in universities. It is great that IATP has brought a new way of learning into our lives.” College admissions have become more competitive in the last few years as the government has passed laws restricting enrollment and requiring that high school graduates work for two years before entering college. Next week, Burmistrova’s course will be posted to the IATP regional DL portal and will be open for registration to citizens of all five Central Asian countries.

Website on Turkmen Literature Appears Online in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

On January 7, high school student Sergey Manunsev completed a website on nineteenth century Turkmen literature after attending a Web design course conducted by IATP staff at the access site in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Manunsev is a senior planning to graduate in May. Students in high schools all over Turkmenistan take Turkmen literature classes as a standard part of the curriculum, and the subject is included in exams required for graduation. After spending hours in the library searching for books on Turkmen literature to prepare for his exams, Manunsev decided to create a website to facilitate students’ learning process. After a three-day Web design course, Manunsev learned how to optimize images and build a website with a user-friendly layout. Prior to the course, he had completed a series of IATP courses in computer basics and Internet use. The new website contains biographies of Kemine, Seyidi, Zelili, and Mollanepes, four renowned Turkmen poets of the 1800s whose poems reflect the history of Turkmenistan. Manunsev commented, “Thanks to IATP I was able to implement two of my goals. First, I acquired new skills, and second, my website will help me and my peers easily get information regarding literature of the 19th century. When I update my website, I will add a poetry catalog so that students can access the poems of famous authors online.” The IATP server in Turkmenistan now hosts 99 websites, representing the majority of Web content in the country.

KYRGYZSTAN

Partner Organization and Alumna Prepare for Sustainability of IATP Access Site in Kara-Balta, Kyrgyzstan

alumni
Nazira Djakilbekova (IV 00 and CI
03) (right) delivers paid Internet-
based English courses at the IATP
access site in Kara-Balta,
Kyrgyzstan

On January 6, Nazira Djakilbekova (IV 00 and CI 03) reported the completion of her Internet-based English course for 10 local residents at the IATP access site in Kara-Balta, Kyrgyzstan. Djakilbekova, Kalibek Djakilbekov (CC 04), and Elena Debelaya (PIE 01), the only three alumni of US government sponsored exchange programs in the city, make up the Kara-Balta Alumni Advisory Council (AAC), which collaborates with the Tatina Media Resource Center (TMRC), IATP’s partner organization, in the effort of running the local access site. TMRC director Kalibek Djakilbekov developed a sustainability plan, which allows Djakilbekova to use the access site’s facilities for month-long English courses from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. five days a week to all interested local residents. Djakilbekova offers the three-level course for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students and tests her trainees’ English skills via “English At Home,” a free online test. The course costs 1000 soms ($23) per person per course, and there are discounts for children and disabled users. Djakilbekova’s English language course is among the Kara-Balta CITC’s proposed fee-based services, which also include Web design services and a variety of computer trainings for reasonable prices. Djakilbekova remarked, “I am glad that the AAC and the partner organization found common ground for the access site’s sustainable development. We intend to find other ways of further cooperation to sustain the access site.”

Alumnus Prepares for Sustainability by Administering IATP Access Site in Osh

tariner
Chupakhin explains to student
Aibek Kenjekulov how to attach
documents to e-mail at the IATP
access site in Osh, Kyrgyzstan

On January 14, Kirill Chupakhin (UGRAD 04), a member of the Alumni Advisory Council (AAC) in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, had the opportunity to try his hands at administering the local IATP access site as part of Alumni Council Day. Throughout the region, AACs are working with IATP staff to learn how to run IATP access sites. IATP is faced with decreased funding and will eventually rely on the AAC and the community to run the centers. In addition to helping IATP, the alumni learn practical management skills. During the day, the access site worked in accordance with the regular schedule, including IATP training courses, consultations, and registration of new users. Chupakhin signed up new users, assisted visitors, and performed other duties normally fulfilled by an IREX staff member. Chupakhin also discovered that there were new things he had to learn in order to manage the access site successfully. He familiarized himself with IATP’s training materials, memorized standard IATP telephone etiquette, and learned the procedures for registering new users. Chupakhin remarked, “I learned more about administering the access site and enjoyed this volunteer experience. I will be glad to do it again.” Alumni Council Days were launched for the dual purpose of giving alumni practical management experience and helping them assume more responsibility for the success of IATP, an important goal given uncertain long-term funding prospects.

UZBEKISTAN

teacher
Teachers in Bukhara, Uzbekistan,
complete course assignments online

IATP Supports Distance Learning Course for High School Teachers in Bukhara

On January 6, 20 high school teachers in five cities of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan completed the fourth module of a nine-week distance learning (DL) course entitled “Internet Project Integration into High School Curriculum.” IATP and iEARN of Uzbekistan collaborated on the course, which is available at http://dl.iearn.uz. iEARN Uzbekistan cooperates with more than 100 organizations across the country in a variety of online educational projects, most of which use IATP facilities. The teachers participating in the course, the majority of whom are alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programs, have learned how to use Internet resources to create a syllabus for an English class for high school freshmen, conduct the course, and share what they have learned with colleagues through the Internet. Venera Sharipova (PIE 03) commented, “It is a very convenient and advanced way for teachers to improve their qualifications and learn more about the usefulness of IT in the educational process.” This DL course is aimed to promote the professional development of teachers and administrators, giving them an opportunity to learn new methodologies from any Internet-enabled computer on an individualized schedule.

IATP Users Learn English to Find Friends Abroad in Karshi, Uzbekistan

student
Maftuna Yakubova, a high school
freshman, works on her English
online

On January 10, Umida Kiyamova and Gulshoda Egamova, senior English majors from Karshi State University, and English teacher Zilola Akhmedova conducted the first session of a new six-month project entitled “Learn English and Find Friends!” for eight 12- to 19-year-old participants at the IATP access site in Karshi, Uzbekistan. IATP staff initiated the project after an online survey for IATP users in Central Asia revealed that a high number of respondents in Karshi wish to start e-correspondence and use English-language Internet resources. Twice a week for one month, participants will learn English via the Internet, and every month the teachers will work with eight new participants. The students and teacher, who discovered many new Internet tools in preparation for the course, helped teach basic English for computer use. Kiyamova and Egamova used www.onestopenglish.com, a website with downloadable classroom games in English, reading and writing exercises, grammar and vocabulary practice for beginners, and exams, and the students completed various exercises. Jasur Berdymuradov, a junior at Karshi State University majoring in Economics, commented, “The lessons I had during my high school years included only learning new words and doing grammar exercises, which was not enough for me, because I wanted speech practice and games to be included. Now I have what I want, and even more because I use the Internet for learning, which makes me want to learn English using technology.” The project is aimed to help people learn English using the Web and then discover Internet resources to establish communication with English-speaking peers from around the world.