Alexandria University's Faculty of Nursing endorses ICDL Health Information Systems Usage Certification

Egypt, August 23, 2015 – The Faculty of Nursing of Alexandria University has agreed to endorse and teach the Health Information Systems Usage Certification programs by ICDL, the governing body and certification authority of the ICDL certificate programs developed in Egypt, to its staff as well as graduate and postgraduate students interns. The announcement was made during an official meeting held in Alexandria recently, 2015 between Prof. Dr. Maha Adel Salem, Dean of Alexandria University’s Faculty of Nursing, and Jamil Ezzo, Director General of ICDL Arabia. The Faculty of Nursing aims to empower its students and graduates with the latest information and communications technology (ICT) skills required in the health sector through the implementation of the new international program. The move complements today’s job market requirements, which does not only require proficiency in the common desktop applications but also across other skills like information security, online collaboration, project planning, social media, digital images, basic web design and use of information systems focused towards the health segment.  

The Faculty of Nursing will hold a comprehensive awareness meeting on the new HIS Certification program during “Together toward best nursing care conference”, which will be hosted by the faculty in October of this year. The campaign will be organized to make Alexandria’s medical community aware of the objectives and benefits of the new certification which will enable nursing staff and administrative professionals working in the health sector to achieve personal and professional development. The Faculty of Nursing’s new training center, which will be accredited by ICDL Arabia, will provide training and testing services on the new program in line with ICDL’s international standards.

The new ICDL Certification in Health Information Systems Usage is of strategic global importance. It gives a strong impetus on building a generation of qualified medical professionals who can promote health services, keeping pace with the rapid technological developments of the 21st century. ICDL Arabia is working in cooperation with the authorities to disseminate the new certificate to medical science, nursing and pharmacy students, interns, and graduates and postgraduates of Alexandria University as well as various other Egyptian universities. In addition, they will train medical staff who wish to develop ICT skills or optimize existing ones to contribute to the growth of Egypt’s health sector.

Prof. Dr. Maha Adel Salem said: “The endorsement and application of the ICDL Health Information Systems Usage program for Alexandria University’s Faculty of Nursing is part of our overall objectives to promote digital knowledge and technological skills among students, alumni and staff of medical and nursing bodies. It is our aim to train them to bring a positive change in terms of quality and efficiency of health care services and to uplift the medical sector in line with the rapid development in the regional and international arenas.”

Jamil Ezzo noted the urgency of investing into the development of the digital skills to medical staff to enable the health sector to catch up with technological developments. He explained the importance of focusing on the broader adoption of cutting-edge technology in the healthcare system as it represents a fundamental pillar for improving healthcare services, reducing operational costs, and opening up new growth prospects. This, he said, will directly stimulate the health sector’s contribution to the national GDP and reinforce its role in driving the economy.

He added: “The ICDL Health Information Systems Usage certificate is very important as it provides an ideal platform for bridging the knowledge gaps among students, graduates and qualified professionals working in the medical, nursing and other auxiliary fields that rely extensively on patient information systems. A group of prominent health experts and decision makers from around the world has identified the key digital skills required in the health sector and how to develop them. We look forward, through the implementation of this certification dedicated to the medical community with our strategic partners at Alexandria University, to support the Egyptian Government’s efforts to build an integrated knowledge-based society.”

The Egypt Ministry of Health recently announced the endorsement of the ICDL Health Information Systems Usage certificate for medical, nursing, technical and administrative staff as well as for medical, nursing and medtech students and graduates. ICDL Arabia has accredited training and testing centers affiliated to the Ministry for granting the new certificate to the candidates that ready to provide medical professionals with advanced skills for dealing with health information systems. The Ministry of Health had previously signed a protocol with ICDL Arabia to benefit from grants provided by government in the GCC extended to the Egyptian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to empower 100,000 government employees with ICT skills based on the ICDL certification.