Internet Access and Training Program (IATP)

IATP News from the Caucasus

January 7-21, 2005

GEORGIA

IATP Advances English Methodology Development in Zugdidi, Georgia

The teachers get acquainted with
the English language websites

On January 15, the IATP access site in Zugdidi, in cooperation with the Atinati association, conducted a seminar for seven English teachers. IATP staff introduced the teachers to a range of interesting online materials allowing the teachers to acquire information about new resources and methodologies. Some of the websites explored included those devoted to promoting the usage of the Internet, computers, and other technologies in teaching, and also allowed the teachers to learn how to use computers to assist in course scheduling and programming. As a result of the training the teachers found Web resources that offer more than 250 exercises, study programs, and crosswords for business English. Also, the participants obtained comprehensive information about the differences between Western and Georgian teaching methodologies, prompting discussion on how to incorporate elements of both into their teaching. This training was only an introduction to the possibilities that the Internet can provide to the teachers who expressed a desire to broaden their teaching horizons and learn in more detail about the Web resources available online.

ARMENIA

IATP Supports Scientist’s Environmental Pursuits

Dr. Bagrat Mezhunts, head of the Center for Ecological-Mesosphere Studies’ research group at the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, has been cooperating with the IATP access site at the National Library of Armenia (NLA) since its establishment in 1997. Over the years, he has been able to find a great deal of information to aid his research on the Internet, including scientific materials, essays, and research on his specialty. Through the Internet, he was also able to establish important connections with colleagues in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, and Japan. With the help of these connections, Mezhunts has been invited to a number of workshops held throughout the world. Most recently he was invited to the United Kingdom to take part in one month of experiments in nutritional science in cooperation with ADAS, a UK-based consultancy in rural and land-based industries. Mezhunts’ experiments in enhancing the quality of food for animals in Armenia have led to the creation of a joint UK-Armenian project in this area. The IATP access site at NLA actively supported Mezhunts during his research, providing him with access to computers, the Internet, and the skills to use them effectively. Due to availability of these services, Mezhunts was able to finalize his project and present it to American and British scientists who were impressed by the project and interested in its implementation.

IATP Supports Agricultural Development through Creation of New Website

Throughout early January, IATP staff at the Open Web Workshop in Yerevan supported the creation of a website for the Movement of Farmers nongovernmental organization (NGO), which seeks to establish a broad farmer’s movement in Armenia. The organization’s main aim is to unite private farmers in various agricultural fields with the efforts of agricultural scientists. This movement is helping to find solutions to production, financial, social, economical, scientific, and humanitarian issues. Of the many issues the NGO is undertaking is the formation of farms, the introduction and protection of rights of its members, principles of international rights, and the general development of the local agricultural industry. The newly created English-language website includes information about the NGO’s activities, structure, staff, and cooperation with other organizations. Sargis Sedrakyan, chairman of Movement of Farmers NGO and member of the Coordination Advisory Group of the Agricultural and Rural Development initiative, considers their website an important step in finding support from the Armenian government as well as local and international organizations and individuals. The organization is working on the creation of an Armenian version, which will be launched by February.

AZERBAIJAN

IATP Provides Mobile Training in Fundraising for Association of Young Leaders

IATP Staff help Shahla
Mammadova to create an e-mail
group

On January 7, staff of the IATP access site in Ganja conducted mobile trainings on searching for information about donor organizations through the Internet and creating e-mail groups for the Association of Young Leaders (YLA) in Azerbaijan. Eight participants, including employees, an administrator, teachers, and volunteers of this organization, took part in the event. During the event, participants learned how to search for information about rules and strategies for applying for contests and grants. Participants also discussed how to find potential donor organizations. They learned that almost all funders have certain restrictions, requirements, limitations, and specifications on the projects that they can fund. IATP staff also gave the participants information about how e-mail groups can connect people and organizations with similar interests and allow them to maintain a dialogue. Shahla Mammadova, the administrator of the YLA, noted, “I always had problems with sending press releases to all our partner organizations. Now, after participation in this seminar I will not have such problems. Thank you very much for conducting such a useful and helpful seminar.”

Alumni Conducts Training to Improve Professional Skills

Asgarova helps the user to
navigate through the Web page
about speed typing

From January 17 to 19, UGRAD alumna Shams Asgarova, FLEX alumnus Farid Baghirov, and IATP staff conducted a three-day training on speed typing at the Ganja Education Information Center (GEIC). The training participants included employees and volunteers of the GEIC, and representatives of local nongovernmental organizations. The goal of the training was to help participants to diversify their employment prospects by increasing their typing proficiencies. During the training, the participants were taught how to use a popular speed typing website and as a result of the training, they improved their job prospects.