Home
Subscribe
Internet Access and Training Program (IATP)
IATP News for July 2006
E-mail this pageView news from:
UKRAINE
Olia Seredynska created her website
after a series of IATP trainings for the
Tech Age Girls project
Schoolgirls Create Online Resources after IATP Training in Ternopil, Ukraine
From July 4 to 11, ten new online resources were posted to the IATP server that were created by schoolgirls who attended a Step-by-Step training series as part of the Tech Age Girls (TAG) project at the IATP access site in Ternopil, Ukraine. TAG is an IREX project designed to equip Ukrainian girls from disadvantaged families and rural areas with technology skills to help them secure a brighter future. Through the month of June, 14 local schoolgirls discovered the basics of computer use, learned about operating systems, mastered skills for managing files and folders, and explored productivity software. IATP Trainer Serhiy Khara explained how to create documents, edit texts, work with tables, and save information. Later, the students gained Internet communication skills, including sending messages, images, and scanned documents via e-mail, and learned how to search for job opportunities and reviewed information about Ukrainian and foreign universities. Finally, they were instructed in basics of Web development, such as Web design, HTML, website structure, and visual website editors, and how to post resources to on server. Khara also gave recommendations on scanning and editing graphics and demonstrated the IATP Hosting Content Management System, used to facilitate Web development for users without knowledge of HTML. As a result of the IATP trainings, the schoolgirls created new websites on various topics. Olia Seredynska’s website is dedicated to her studies and to Alyans, a local dance club. Tania Brayko and Lilia Budiy devoted their sites to the city of Ternopil, its history and city life. By sponsoring these trainings, IATP showed these girls how they can use IT to create new opportunities for themselves, and helped prevent human trafficking in Ukraine. Twenty-six Tech Age Girls have completed computer training at IATP sites in Luhansk, Lutsk, Lviv, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, and Uzhgorod, Ukraine.
Seminar attendees develop codes
of
ethics for their universities
Alumni Introduce Young Activists to Western Experience in Fight against Corruption in Luhansk, Ukraine
On July 11 and 12, the IATP access site in Luhansk, Ukraine, sponsored a mobile seminar entitled, “Resistance to Corruption in Higher Education: Western Experience” conducted by Volodymyr Scherbachenko (CC 02), Olena Raskazova (CC 02), and Hanna Pechonkina (UGRAD 03) for 21 students and young leaders in the town of Alchevsk, in the Luhansk region. The trainers started the seminar by defining corruption as any criminal activity implying illegal use of a person’s official capacity for private gain. The attendees exchanged their opinions on who benefits from corruption in Ukrainian universities, for example, students who obtain favorable grades with no basis in their performance versus teachers who gain illegal income. The trainers then discussed the consequences of corruption in higher education for citizens, the system of education, and the country. Negative impact on the professional qualifications of students, perversion and a decline of quality of the system of education, and worsening competitiveness of Ukraine’s labor force in the global market were all seen to be resulting from corruption. Scherbachenko introduced the participants to tools used in the fight against corruption in education, such as hotlines for Ukrainian government agencies, complaints to police and other state institutions, and appeals to the news media. The participants shared their ideas on how local non-profit organizations and students could fight against corruption in local educational institutions. Among the suggestions were organizing an anti-corruption media campaign, training students and teachers to resist corruption, and specific hotlines for victims of corruption in higher education. Hanna Pechonkina presented some case studies of foreign nonprofit organizations and students associations taking action against bribe-taking in their universities, and gave a tour of relevant websites, such as Transparency International, a global civil society organization leading the fight against corruption. They also explored the activities of the National Unions of Students in Europe related to protection of students’ rights and the fight against corruption. Then, using their newly acquired skills, the participants developed a draft code of ethics for their universities as a set of guidelines and a benchmark to measure progress against. Maksym Moiseyev, head of the Alchevsk Youth Council, a local non-profit organization working with young people, remarked, “Corruption is one of the most relevant problems in Ukraine, and knowledge of my rights and opportunities are very important for me as a student.” By sponsoring this seminar, IATP attracted attention to an important problem facing Ukrainian society and brought together capable young people and ECA alumni to address the problem.
TAJIKISTAN
Citizens Go Online to Discuss Corruption in Tajikistan
Tajikistan ranks a low 144th among 158 countries in terms of public perceptions of government corruption, according to Transparency International's annual study. Tajikistan scored 2.1 on a 10-point scale. More
ARMENIA
Gayane Avagyan (standing) helps
Nazeli Aleksanyan (front, seated)
find information about gender issues
online at the IATP access site in
Kapan, Armenia.
Residents Discuss Gender Issues in Kapan, Armenia
On July 14, ten students of the Kapan Campus of the State Engineering University of Armenia (SEUA) and members of the Youth Scientific-Cultural (YSC) NGO gathered at the IATP access site in Kapan, Armenia to discuss gender equality. The forum raised participants’ awareness about women’s rights and opportunities in Armenia, and guided them through online resources related to the topic. Kapan IATP Access Site Volunteer Gayane Avagyan and Anna Minasyan (FLEX 01) gave an overview of the history of gender equality development and talked about the current status of women in Armenia, the level of women’s involvement in decision making processes, and representation in parliament. Participants discussed the activities of the Women’s Rights Center, an NGO that has been working since 1997 to address the problems of violence against women, domestic violence, trafficking, reproductive health, and promoting women’s rights in Armenia. They also visited the website of the United Nations Development Fund in Armenia where they learned about activities that promote gender equality by fostering collaboration and providing technical expertise on women's empowerment strategies. YSC staff member Nazeli Aleksanyan commented, “In order to increase women’s involvement in decision making processes we need to develop leadership skills among women and raise the awareness of the female part of our population about the importance of having women in leading decision-making positions.” The event helped participants discuss issues involving protection of women’s rights, increase awareness about efforts made to address existing problems, and enhance understanding of the significance of women’s involvement in the formation of a strong civil society.
Volunteer Vahram Muradyan shares
his ideas during the online chat from
the IATP access site in Gyumri, Armenia.
IATP Partners and Staff Discuss Alternative Sources of Funding for Sustainable Access Sites Online
On July 17, twenty representatives of IATP’s partner organizations, staff, volunteers, and alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programs gathered for an online chat with professional Web designers Hrayr Darbinyan and Karen Badishyan from Gyumri, Armenia to discuss possible alternative sources of funding for sustainable access sites. Darbinyan and Badishyan work as independent contractors and have extensive experience designing websites on a for-profit basis for various organizations. The purpose of the online discussion was to provide an opportunity for participants to discuss their ideas for expanding the scope of services provided at the access sites. In his opening remarks, Darbinyan described the synergies that can be realized by combining an Internet center with a Web design studio, while Badishyan argued in favor of specializing in Web design, as it is currently the most profitable service on the Armenian market. Representatives of IATP’s partner organizations supported the idea of creating a network wherein each access site could specialize in a certain service and refer customers to each other. The online chat helped increase knowledge among IATP’s partners and staff of business issues and the challenges they will encounter when they start to function as sustainable sites, and emphasized the importance of cooperation among the access sites across Armenia.
Tajikistan
Olga Lyashenko’s website about
Tajikistan’s medicinal herbs and
plants is now available at
http://www.fito.freenet.tj/
Student Creates Website about Local Medicinal Herbs and Plants in Khujand, Tajikistan
On July 31, high school student Olga Lyashenko posted the first website devoted to Tajikistan’s medicinal herbs and plants to IATP’s server at www.fito.freenet.tj after completing a Web design course at the IATP access site in Khujand, Tajikistan. Lyashenko, who had previously taken basic computer and Internet courses at the IATP access site, decided to advance her knowledge of information technologies and learn key concepts in Web design, including Web programming, website structure, and use of visual website editors. The newly-created website contains detailed information about many medicinal herbs and plants native to Tajikistan, such as chicory, sage, pomegranate, and pistachios, and describes various ways they were used for medicinal purposes by ancient Tajik physicians. Lyashenko cited materials from the book written by Maqsuda Hojimatova entitled, “Wild Medicinal Herbs of Tajikistan” on her website. She remarked, “I will be updating this website regularly, and hope that it will increase the access of the global online community to information about the beautiful and rich biodiversity of my country, contributing to growth and popularity of local content websites on the Internet.” The new Web resource brings the total number of websites hosted by IATP in Tajikistan to 455, representing about 30% of the Web content hosted in the country.
MOLDOVA
Hanbecova and Placinta’s website
at http://ydc.md.iatp.net/ won an
international contest sponsored by
UNESCO
IATP Users’ Website Wins International Contest
On July 27, IATP users Natalia Hanbecova, a lecturer at Moldovan State University, and Gabriel Placinta, a student at Moldovan State University, visited the IATP Training Laboratory in Chisinau, Moldova, to share their success – they had won a contest entitled, “Scenes and Sounds of My City.” The global contest, sponsored by UNESCO DigiArts gave young people the opportunity to express their ideas and visions of urban environment or experiences within urban surroundings. Hanbecova and Placinta, active IATP users, created and submitted their website with information on the sights, sounds and history of Chisinau. As a result of the contest, the website authors were selected among 10 other Web designers from around the world to take part in a face-to-face workshop with professional media artists at the International Symposium of Electronic Arts event “ZeroOne San Jose: a Global Festival of Art on the Edge” (7-13 August 2006, San Jose, California). During the festival, the participants will have the opportunity to transform their digital pieces into physical urban installations in public places. The new online resource is one of over 300 websites hosted on IATP’s Moldova server.
IATP Interns and Volunteers Discover Effective Communication in Chisinau, Moldova
From July 3 to 7, IATP Assistant Cornelia Iacubovschi conducted a seminar on effective communication and teambuilding for 10 interns and volunteers of the IATP Training Laboratory in Chisinau, Moldova. The aim of the seminar was to equip the participants with effective communication skills to help them work more efficiently for the benefit of the local community. Iacubovschi explained to the attendees how to introduce themselves and their organization to the audience, avoid and resolve conflicts, and develop leadership skills by instilling self-confidence and motivating people. The participants also learned principles of teambuilding and tools for effective team communication, and applied their newly acquired skills in practical exercises and role-playing games. IATP invests in the personal and professional development its volunteers, so that they may work more effectively for the benefit of the local community.
KYRGYZSTAN
The official website of Baisoorun-
Jashtari is now available at
baisoorun.host.net.kg
Youth Organization Launches Online Presence in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
On July 14, Tashtan Kidirbaev, the director of Baisoorun-Jashtari, a local youth volunteer organization, posted his organization’s website to IATP’s server after a five-day Web design seminar at the IATP access site in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan. IATP Administrator Kubatbek Osmonov taught Kidirbaev and six other participants how to use Web design and graphics applications, including the basics of website editing, HTML, and dynamic structure and user-friendly design. Using his new skills, Kidirbaev developed the website of Baisoorun-Jashtari, which shares information about the organization’s activities, goals, history, structure, donors and partners. Kidirbaev remarked, “We have been using the site’s services for more than a year. In that period many staff members and volunteers learned how to benefit from computers and the Internet. We developed our website to find new partners and share news about our accomplishments.” Since its founding in 1999, Baisoorun-Jashtari has deployed over 120 volunteers in four projects dedicated to organizing seminars for local young people, helping local young farmers write business plans, assisting unemployed residents in job hunting, and finding internship opportunities for college students. The new website brings the total number of resources hosted by IATP in Kyrgyzstan to 922, representing nearly 7% of the Web content hosted in the country.
The participants practice newly-obtained
skills in word processing at the IIC in
Kerben, Kyrgyzstan
IATP’s Partner Organization in Kerben, Kyrgyzstan Moves toward Sustainability
On July 21, IIC Administrator Gulzat Jypar kizi completed a three-week paid course on computer and Internet use for six city residents at the Independent Internet Center (IIC) in Kerben, Kyrgyzstan. After a funding reduction in August 2005, the IATP access site in Kerben was transformed into an IIC, which operates independently and continues to provide at least 20 hours of free Internet access and training each month, but charges modest fees for other services to defray the high costs of Internet, labor, and maintenance. Zamirbek Raev, the dean of Aksy Pedagogical Institute, developed a sustainability plan that moves the access site toward self-sufficiency while maintaining its educational focus by expanding access to the general public, and fostering active alumni participation. According to this sustainability plan, Japar kizi will use the IIC’s facilities to offer week- and month-long paid computer courses from 3 pm to 6 pm five days a week to Kerben residents. The fee for an intensive three-week course in word processing, spreadsheets, and Internet basics is approximately $15, more than 20 percent cheaper than the closest competitor in the region, but with a considerably higher quality of instruction. The IIC also offers special discounts for children and disabled residents. Using this revenue, the center was able to cover its rent, utility, and stationery costs for July. Japar kizi remarked, “Many city residents actively use the IIC’s paid services. However, we plan to include new services such as website development within several months to earn more money. Such paid courses are in high demand among residents, and we try to benefit from this in order to attain full sustainability.” In accordance with access goals, the IICs provided over 120 hours of free training in computer and Internet basics and over 170 hours of free Internet access in July.
AZERBAIJAN
Participants discuss methods of
English learning at the IATP access
site in Ganja, Azerbaijan.
Alumna Teaches English to Local Youth in Ganja, Azerbaijan
On July 14, Naila Mammadova (UGRAD 04) conducted a seminar on learning English for 15 regular IATP users at the IATP access site in Ganja, Azerbaijan. To start the seminar, she gave an overview about English as a leading language in international business and communication and emphasized its role in finding good jobs, using modern technologies, and understanding the vast majority of valuable information on the Internet. Mammadova stressed proper pronunciation, explaining its importance even beyond that of grammar, and introducing them to several computer programs with which to practice pronunciation. Participants learned aspects of English such as tense, prepositions, idiomatic expressions, word combinations, and methods of building vocabulary. Then, IATP Access Site Administrator Elmar Ibrahimov helped participants use compact disks with audio and video materials, browse grammar websites, and then distributed materials prepared by Mammadova. As a result, participants improved their reading, listening, and speaking skills, and learned about many online resources that can help them further develop their knowledge of English.
Hilary Sienrukos, a graduate student
from the United States, replies to
questions online from the
US-Azerbaijan Education Center
in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijanis Discuss Higher Education in the United States with American Graduate Student Online
On July 25, more than 36 people, including students, librarians, alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programs, government officials, and staff of nonprofit organizations, participated in an online forum on US higher education. Hilary Sienrukos, a graduate student of international affairs at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, took questions from citizens at IATP access sites and Regional Library Information Centers throughout the country. Sienrukos answered queries about college life in the United States, described similarities and differences between the US and Azerbaijani educational systems, and listed opportunities to study in the United States. Lala Agayeva, a student from Ganja, Azerbaijan, asked Sienrukos to comment on why the US educational system is attractive to many foreign students. Sienrukos replied, “I think that the positive feature that attracts foreign students is the high quality of the US educational system. I believe that the US higher educational system is one of the best in the world because it strongly promotes independent thought and research.” She added, “After you study in the United States you also have a lot more opportunity in your professional life.” Aynur Nasirova from Ali-Bayramli, Azerbaijan, asked whether distance learning is widely used in the United States. Sienrukos replied, “Distance learning is becoming more and more popular, especially for higher education. Many people who work full time are using online education to get advanced degrees. There are many colleges in the US providing distance education now.” IATP works to facilitate dialogue and exchange between US and Azerbaijani students, to build understanding, cooperation, and expand opportunities for both countries.
GEORGIA
Iva Mindadze (rear) answers
questions, while Shota Gvaramadze
(front) moderates the discussion from
the IATP access site
in Tbilisi, Georgia
Georgian Residents Discuss College Entrance Examinations in Nationwide Online Discussion
On July 5, more than 35 high school students, their parents, high school teachers, college professors, and staff members of educational institutions gathered in the IATP access sites in Tbilisi, Khashuri, Telavi, Batumi, Kutaisi and Zugdidi, Georgia, to participate in an online discussion with Iva Mindadze, head of the Foreign Language Department of the National Examination and Assessment Center, to discuss new changes brought to the Unified National Examinations (UNE). Currently in its second year, UNE aims to eliminate corruption in university admissions by requiring that every prospective student complete a standardized, national testing process. The chat was held five days prior to the beginning of the UNE and designed to answer citizens’ questions about changes in the process this year. Sopo Papunaishvili from Batumi asked, “How can you assure fair test assessments, and are there any amendments to the assessment process this year?” Mindadze replied that all test papers have unique codes instead of names to guarantee impartiality from test evaluators. He noted that tests are assessed by two people independently and the results are compared afterward; if they do not coincide, the case is then investigated by the examination committee. Through this event IATP was able to inform a large number of Georgian citizens about changes in their higher education system and contributed to the effort to make the system transparent and fair.
A new website featuring tourist
attractions in Georgia is now online
at http://geomuxa.iatp.ge.
Student Posts Website with Tourist Information in Tbilisi, Georgia
On May 30, Giorgi Mukhigulashvili, a tourism major at Tbilisi State University, published a website containing tourism resources for Georgia after completing a Web design course held at the IATP access site in May in Tbilisi, Georgia. Mukhigulashvili, who had previously taken basic computer and Internet training courses at the IATP access site, took the Web design course to learn how to design a website, create links, optimize images for the Web, and create a user-friendly layout. He used English in order to target foreigners and included basic historical and geographical facts about Georgia, information about various possible tourist activities and a gallery of photographs, many of them taken by the website author himself. Mukhigulashvili commented, “This website will contribute to goal of the Georgian government and people to make the country a more attractive and interesting place to visit. This venture will be one more step towards distribution of information to those interested in our nation.” The new Web resource brings the total number of websites hosted by IATP in Georgia to 514, and makes a significant contribution to tourism in Georgia, as there are very few resources available on this topic on the Internet.
KAZAKHSTAN
Kalizhanova explains the benefits of
digital books to participants at the IIC
in Semey, Kazakhstan
Librarians Learn About Information Technologies in Library Services in Semey, Kazakhstan
From July 11 to 13, 23 librarians from 14 institutions attended a series of seminars entitled “Innovations in Libraries” at the Independent Internet Center (IIC) in Semey, Kazakhstan. In cooperation with the Institute of Librarians’ Professional Development (ILPD), IIC administrator Aliya Kalizhanova moderated sessions that explained how information technologies can be used in libraries, such as electronic card cataloging, digitization of texts, and library websites. Volunteer Zagiya Magauina led a five-hour session introducing the librarians to computer and Internet resources they could use for professional purposes. Magauina’s session equipped the librarians with skills in word processing and graphics editing, file and folder management, spreadsheet use, searching for information on the Web, and registering their own personal e-mail accounts. The librarians browsed the websites of the Online Portal of Libraries in Kazakhstan and the Informational Consortium of Libraries of Kazakhstan for more information on e-books and to help them create their own websites. Librarian Roza Kuanbaeva from Semey Technological College remarked, “The trainers helped us understand the importance and benefits of new technologies in modern libraries. They also equipped us with new skills, which I believe we will use to improve library services and make solid steps toward developing an e-catalogue.” Technology makes it possible for librarians to combine efforts, save money by sharing resources, and make rare materials available online. Collaboration between IIC and ILPD staff generated 23 computer-literate librarians who will apply their newfound knowledge for professional purposes and spread their skills in their communities. So far this year, IATP in Kazakhstan has provided free access to over 160 librarians and training to over 50, contributing to their professional development and that of the nation’s library system.
MRL’s Legal Information Department
is
available online at centerprav.kz.iatp.net
Residents Add Five Websites to Local Web Content in Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan
On July 21, five local residents posted five new websites to IATP’s server after a two-week Web design course at the Independent Internet Center (IIC) in Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan. IIC Trainer Sergey Son introduced the participants to the basic features of Web page editors and taught them how to build a website, create links, and design a user-friendly layout. Victoria Hvanskaya, senior officer of the Legal Information Department at Mukanov Regional Library, created the department’s website, which was designed to share information about its goals and mission, services for patrons, completed projects, history, and contact information. MRL director Bibigul Abilmajinova developed the website of Obshestvenniy Dialog, the library’s press center, containing links to its activities, services, partners, and the center’s charter along with its mission and goals. Hvanskaya remarked, “The seminar helped us to obtain the skills necessary to develop our department’s website. We will be updating the website content to reflect our activities and accomplishments. We also intend to find new partners.” The workshop strengthened the capacity of local organizations to provide public services and maintain dialogue with citizens. The five new websites bring the total number of resources hosted by IATP in Kazakhstan to 1,158, representing nearly 9% of the Web content hosted in the country.
TURKMENISTAN
TASP Scholars Develop Graphics Editing Skills of Students from Rural Areas
From July 10 to15, Atajanov Nazar (TASP 05) and Dil Ruslan (TASP 05) conducted a training on graphics editing and flash animations for 11 members of the Starting Entrepreneurs and Farmers of Turkmenistan, a youth club in the Akhal region, at the Alumni Resource Center in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. TASP (Turkmen American Scholars Program) is a program administered by American Councils and provides high school graduates an opportunity to study at American University of Central Asia in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The club’s mission is to assist unemployed youth, new entrepreneurs, and farmers of the Akhal region in their personal and professional development through educational projects. The aim of the training program was to develop participants’ skills in graphics editing and to teach them how to work with image files. During the week-long series, attendees were instructed in the basics of graphics editing and interactive animation, and learned how to convert files from one type to another and edit images in a variety of ways. After having learned how to create images, work with filters and layers, and use different editing tools, club members made posters on various topics. Among other projects, attendees developed a logo of their club, which they intend to use in their promotional materials. Berdyklycheva Sulgun remarked, “I didn’t know that there are so many different computer programs, but thanks to this training I learned about the possibilities of graphics editing, and ways to enhance any multimedia presentations.” The IATP-initiated event gave an opportunity these youths to enhance their computer skills, opening new doors for them professionally, and helping them find a path to a brighter future.
Atayev Begench from Turkmenistan
answers soccer quiz questions
IATP Gathers Soccer Fans for Online Discussion
On July 20, forty-two professional and amateur athletes, soccer fans, and alumni of US government-funded exchange programs gathered at IATP access sites in Turkmenistan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan for an online discussion about the FIFA World Cup, 2006. Moderated by IATP Alumni Coordinator for Turkmenistan Myahrijemal Altybayeva, the discussion began with a summary of some of the highlights and records in the history of soccer, such as the fastest goals, the awards, the most World Cup appearances and the most championships. Then participants voted for the most valuable players among the teams, and the best players and goalkeepers during the finals. Answering the question of the chat moderator about whether Germany was able to manage the task of organizing World Cup 2006, Vladimir Vasilyev remarked that Germany successfully coped with the task, managing to keep order among the fans and during the games. At the end of the online discussion, participants competed in a quiz about the soccer finals for the last 20 years and the team from Kazakhstan turned in the best performance by giving six correct answers. IATP initiates informal discussions in order to develop networks of people with similar interests across borders, in the interest of securing friendly relations throughout Eurasia.
IATP and Higher Education
-
Over 10,000 academics and researchers use IATP centers;
-
IATP has trained over 6,200 academics and researchers to utilize technology in their work;
-
Each month approximately 10,500 students use IREX resources;
- IATP servers host more than 270 university and scholarly websites.