Internet Access and Training Program (IATP)

IATP News from Central Asia

February 4-17, 2005

TAJIKISTAN

Amabassador
Correspondent Firuz Barotov from
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
interviews Ambassador Hoagland at
the IATP Alumni Resource Center in
Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Ambassador Hoagland Focuses on Freedom and Democracy in Online Chat with Tajikistani Journalists
On February 10, US Ambassador to Tajikistan Richard Hoagland participated in a virtual press conference regarding US foreign policy during President Bush’s second term at the Alumni Resource Center in Dushanbe. For over two hours, more than 25 representatives of state and local media, nongovernmental organizations, alumni of US government-sponsored programs, and users accessed the online chat room from nine cities across the country to ask the Ambassador questions. Topics covered Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, US foreign policy in Tajikistan and the former Soviet Union, as well as grant and exchange opportunities. The lively discussion included an exchange from Kulyab with Asadullo Boboev, a correspondent of Kulyab Pravda Newspaper, who asked Ambassador Hoagland to comment on the role of the United States played in Ukrainian elections and its possible influence on the results of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Tajikistan, scheduled for February 27. The Ambassador replied, “I want to emphasize that the United States does not interfere in the internal politics of sovereign nations. We do generally advocate and encourage the growth of democracy and freedom of choice for all people… In Ukraine, we congratulated the people for the courage they displayed in standing up for their democratic rights when the government blatantly falsified the presidential election results." It was Ambassador Hoagland’s fourth online chat with IATP users. He commented, “I enjoy these online press conferences very much, because I probably learn more from you than you do from me. Hearing your questions helps me understand what the people of Tajikistan are thinking and how they see the world.” Six regional and local media outlets, such as Varorud Information-Analytical Agency with 50,000 readers, Bomdod Newspaper in Kurgan-Tube with a circulation of 10,000, and Radio Ozodi/Radio Liberty with more than a million listeners covered the event. Due to the online press conference, thousands of Tajikistani citizens learned about US foreign policy from the country’s most reliable source and discovered the importance of freedom and democracy.

IATP General Information

More than 265,500 people have used IATP resources;
IATP has trained almost 150,000 people;
IATP has helped create over 8,500 Web resources and hosts approximately 9,500 websites.

IATP user
Golib Pisarijev is proud to be
employed and pauses to pose for a
photo in his new office

Computer Skills Help IATP User Find Job in Khorog, Tajikistan
On January 4, Golib Pisarijev, a student of foreign languages at Khorog State University, visited the IATP access site in Khorog, Tajikistan, to inform IATP staff that he had been hired as a Data Entry Specialist by Focus Humanitarian Assistance USA (FOCUS USA), an international emergency response agency. Pisarijev has been an active IATP user since the access site first opened its doors to the public in October 2003. Eager to learn, he completed all of IATP’s standard courses, from computer basics to Web design, ultimately posting a website about the Pamir region and its people. Last month, Pisarijev learned of the vacancy at FOCUS USA, and decided that with the spreadsheet management knowledge he had acquired, he was qualified for the position. The hiring process was competitive; applicants had to pass a variety of tests to demonstrate their knowledge of information technologies and English. Impressed by his skills, the hiring committee chose him for the job. Pisarijev commented, “I [constantly] learn something new from the Internet. It’s great that IATP helps people by providing opportunities to improve their knowledge and skills. That, in turn, leads to improvements in peoples’ lives, such as what happened in my case.” Pisarijev is one of several IATP users to find a new and/or better job thanks to IATP computer trainings.

KYRGYZSTAN

Paul Poletes discusses democracy-
related issues at the IATP access
site in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan

Residents of Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan, Discuss US Policy in Central Asia with US Embassy Official
On February 9, over 35 residents from Tokmok joined the US Embassy’s Political and Economic Officer Paul Poletes and Information Resource Center Assistant Larissa Desyatkova (CI 96) for a 90-minute seminar entitled, “The Policy of the United States in Central Asia” at the IATP access site in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan. Desyatkova and IATP administrator Evgeniy Gaponov prepared for the event by gathering materials from the US Department of State’s website on elections, the online elections portal for Kyrgyzstan, and the Center for Voting and Democracy. They presented the main principles of democracy highlighted on these websites. Poletes and Desyatkova’s seminar generated a discussion on US assistance to Central Asian countries, parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan on February 27, and the development of democratic institutions. Poletes spent some time explaining the US Embassy-financed initiative to introduce indelible ink for finger-marking during the elections to avoid double voting. He explained that the same method has been used in Morocco, Afghanistan, and Iraq, but cautioned that ink alone does not guarantee democratically sound elections. The event was covered by two local newspapers, Ogni Balasagina and Moi Gorod, with an estimated combined potential reach of 50,000 residents. IATP access sites have been meeting the information-based needs of voters and are available for similar events and access to the Internet as voting day approaches.

libarians
Library employees learn to use
formulas in the spreadsheet
program at the IATP access site in
Kant, Kyrgyzstan

IATP’s Partner Organization in Kant, Kyrgyzstan, Moves toward Sustainability
From February 7 to 11, IATP administrator Tatyana Savvina conducted a five-day course on common computer spreadsheet applications for eight employees of the Kant District Library (KDL) at the IATP access site in Kant. KDL, the partner organization that provides free space to IATP, is among two access sites in Kyrgyzstan selected by IATP management for transformation into Community Internet and Training Centers (CITC); access sites that are financially viable through contributions from local businesses and modest fees from community members using the site. Savvina taught the trainees to work with spreadsheets for accounting purposes, as the librarians will need these skills when they begin collecting fees for services. Maintaining an educational focus, they are offering after normal operating hours, paid, in-depth computer courses to find a different niche than the typical IATP users. They plan to beat the town’s competition through low prices. Their intensive five-week course in word and spreadsheet processing and Internet basics is only 900 soms ($22) per person, while competitors charge a minimum of $30. Price is key with average monthly salaries in country hovering near $45. Natalya Bernst, head of the marketing department at KDL, predicted, “This course equipped us with the skills needed to conduct error-free operations with computer calculations on the expense sheets and budget.” CITC staff will join hands with the local Alumni Advisory Council and assume full responsibility for the access site once ECA’s funding for IATP ends.

UZBEKISTAN

Volunteers
Saidana Rakhmonova (left), a
volunteer at the IATP access site in
Ferghana, Uzbekistan helps out
Sobirjon Normatov (CC 03) (right)
during the chat

Alumni Discuss Islamic Sources of Conflict and Prevention
On February 16, twenty alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programs united for a two-hour discussion at IATP access sites across Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. These alumni, mainly religious leaders and conflict resolution specialists, discussed the role faith leaders can play in solving domestic issues and the role of women in Islam. Sobirjon Normatov (CC 03) moderated the chat and led participants through questions related to family conflict, women’s status in the family and Islam, and the activities of faith leaders in both countries geared at dealing with these issues. Normatov inquired about ways of preventing domestic conflicts, and Gulnara Nurmatova (CC 03) from Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan, replied, “Conflicts occur when people disagree on traditions and ideology, misinterpret Islam, and husbands restrain the rights of wives.” Normatov prompted a discussion of reasons behind the rising frequency of divorce in both countries. Jakhongir Sharifiy (CC 03) from Namangan, Uzbekistan, believes it is related to “traditional compulsory marriage and social and economic instability.” He continued, “But in accordance with local traditions, parents and relatives from the wives’ and husbands’ sides try to do everything to prevent separation.” During the chat, participants agreed that religious education for youth would promote religious tolerance and prevent conflicts. The online discussion was the second in a series of six chats to prepare alumni in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan for an upcoming conference on Islamic sources of conflict

IATP users
Roman Pronin (left) and Dmitry
Cherkashin (right) post their websites
at the IATP satellite site in Tashkent,
Uzbekistan

Residents with Visual Impairments Publish New Websites in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
From January 29 to February 4, four residents with visual impairments created four new websites after completing a Web design course at the IATP satellite site in Tashkent. Starting at the beginning of January, IATP access site administrator Aleksandr Soldatkin began conducting IATP Step-by-Step training, first teaching the use of a special text-to-speech program that allows users with visual impairments to read computer screens. That was followed by two weeks of computer and Internet basics, finishing with Web design. Soldatkin introduced iWE 1.0, an IATP-developed tool that makes it possible for novices to create websites without any knowledge of HTML. He also taught trainees how to design a website, create links, optimize images for the Web, and create user-friendly layouts. As a result, Dmitriy Cherkashin, who is a student at the Tashkent College for People with Disabilities majoring in electronics, created a personal website about his life experiences. He was blinded in one eye at the age of three, and he shares information about his friends and hobbies. He commented, “My website helps me express myself and find friends who also cannot see well...It also is useful for my prospective career.” Roman Pronin, who is legally blind, created a website where he posted his resume and links to useful Internet resources that he found related to law, education, medicine, cars, history, and media. Pronin hopes to apply his news skills to a computer science teaching career. The four new websites raised the total number of Web resources hosted by IATP in Uzbekistan to 1,051, representing nearly 19% of the Web content hosted in the country.

TURKMENISTAN

Nurlybek Sandybaev and Gurban
Saparmuradov train for their health

Karate Athletes Meet Online in Turkmenistan
On February 3, ten karate athletes from Turkmenistan united for a two-hour online discussion on karate and its impact on children and adults at IATP access sites in Dashoguz and Turkmenabat. Karate instructors, members of the National team, and beginners gathered to discuss one of Turkmenistan’s fastest growing sports. Gurban Saparmuradov, president and instructor of the Yazyrhan karate club, began by discussing the emergence of karate and kyokushinkai, a karate style practiced in his club that is characterized by its rigid, full-contact style of fighting and emphasis on graceful power. Nurlybek Sandybaev suggested that all participants visit his website on kyokushin karate that he posted in February after completing IATP’s Web design course. Participants then discussed the physical, social, intellectual, and emotional benefits karate brings. Due to the lack of government support and disposable income, karate clubs in both cities face financial difficulties. From Turkmenabat, assistant instructor Rafik Fattahov asked about funding prospects in Dashoguz. Saparmuradov replied, “Our club is [partially] funded by the state Sports Association. However, the essential donations are made by the parents of our students, who are concerned about the healthy development of their children.” Instructors expressed the desire to arrange meetings with other athletes from neighboring Central Asian countries, and IATP administrators volunteered to organize another online chat with IATP access sites throughout Central Asia next month to follow through.

Serdar Karliyev (FLEX 04) learns
about one of Turkmenistan’s first
distance learning courses

Distance Learning Consultant Introduces Math Course Online in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
On February 16, twelve IATP users at three IATP access sites across Turkmenistan tuned in to Valentina Burmistrova’s (Fulbright 04) 90-minute online presentation of her new distance learning (DL) course entitled “Math for the College Applicant” that is now hosted on IATP’s DL portal. For the past three months, Burmistrova and six other IATP DL consultants learned to create DL courses, incorporating lectures, forums, chats, tests, and glossaries into an online course. As a result, Burmistrova created a six-week preparatory course for students taking the state’s college entrance exams to major in mathematics. Unlike the United States, Turkmenistan does not have a single, standard admissions test. Students must pass a combination of subject-based tests related specifically to the discipline they wish to study. College admissions has become more competitive in the last few years after the government passed laws restricting enrollment. Throughout the course of the chat, Burmistrova provided a snapshot of her course with its eight modules that cover decimals, fractions, exponents, and limits, as well as showing off her sample exercises, tests, and home assignments. She explained that her course can also be used to prepare for the mathematical sections of the American GRE and GMAT exams. Maksat Allaberdiyev, a high school graduate inquired, “I want to apply for college in Turkey, and…Turkish tests include aspects of advanced mathematics. Do you have topics from advanced math, for example, integrals and matrix systems, from which I can learn and prepare?” Burmistrova replied, ”I will consider your suggestions and add these aspects as additional information to my course.” The online discussion provided a close examination of the new alternative form of education now available free-of-charge online.

KAZAKHSTAN

IATP course
Vera Aksyenova (UGRAD 02)
conducts an Internet basics course
at the IATP access site in Ust-
Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan

AAC Administers IATP Access Site in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan, for a Week
From February 10 to 16, the Alumni Advisory Council (AAC) in Ust-Kamenogorsk took over the administrative duties at the local IATP access site. For the last six months, the AAC has administered the site one day per month to gain practical management experience and assume more responsibility for the success of IATP. This is an important goal, given the uncertain long-term funding prospects. Vera Aksyenova (UGRAD 02) served as the administrator, and Emelyan Ananyin (FLEX 97) and Galina Melnikova (TEA 02) conducted trainings on computer, Internet, and multimedia presentation basics. Khabiba Akzhigitova (IV 00), director of East Kazakhstan Regional Universal Library (EKRUL), IATP’s partner organization, provided team oversight and managerial assistance to the alumni who were assuming duties normally fulfilled by paid employees. Ananyin taught EKRUL employees to use a multimedia program to prepare a presentation about Valentine’s Day. Melnikova conducted an Internet and computer presentation course for nine students from School No. 10, where she teaches. Her students searched the Web for business ethics-related resources, and used them to create a slide show presentation. “I must admit, it was not easy to manage the access site," remarked Aksyenova. “This work requires a great input, and that’s why it is desirable that alumni are more active.”

The website of the Manufacturers’
Association of West Kazakhstan is
now available at
www.zaman.freenet.kz

NGO Staff Create Website in Uralsk, Kazakhstan
On February 7, Alnur Nadyrgaliyev, a lawyer at the Manufacturers’ Association of West Kazakhstan (MAWK), published the website of his organization after completing a week-long Web design course at the IATP access site in Uralsk. MAWK is a nongovernmental organization that promotes the industrial labor market in western Kazakhstan by providing legal and financial consulting services, training, presentations, and exhibitions for local business and government organizations. MAWK’s 12 staff members began IATP’s Step-by-Step courses in October 2004, where they learned to use the Internet and advanced spreadsheet applications. IATP access site administrator Tatyana Zapaschikova covered the basics of Web design for four MAWK employees, including photo-editing tools for optimizing website graphics. The new Web resource describes the goals of MAWK, its activities, news, and the credit fund for entrepreneurs. Nadyrgaliyev commented, "Thanks to the skills we acquired, we are now able to present our organization to a wider audience." IATP trains more than 1,600 residents of Kazakhstan every month in the basics of computer and Internet use as well as Web design.