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Internet Access and Training Program (IATP)
IATP News for August 2006
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Young Journalists from Ferghana Valley Learn Hard-Hitting Journalism
Twenty-one teenage journalists from four countries in the Ferghana Valley honed their investigative reporting and Internet research skills thanks to a grant from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The grant allows IREX to deliver a series of specialized Internet and journalism trainings to journalists and journalism students in Central Asia, at its Internet Access and Training Program (IATP) centers in Osh, Kyrgyzstan and Khujand, Tajikistan.
TAJIKISTAN
Mohinisso Shohnazarova (standing)
helps participants browse the Internet
for information on human trafficking
at the IATP access site in
Kurgan-Tube, Tajikistan
NGO Leader Educates Residents about Human Trafficking in Kurgan-Tube, Tajikistan
On August 23, Mohinisso Shohnazarova, director of the human rights NGO Akhtari Bakht, conducted a two-hour seminar entitled, “Myths and Realities of Working Abroad: Human Trafficking” for 12 people, including five who plan to leave the country soon for work in Russia. The discussion provided essential information to a group of at-risk migrants, and was dedicated to the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition, a UNESCO holiday.
According to government statistics, every year some 500,000 Tajik nationals - mainly unemployed youth - travel to Russia and other neighboring countries in search of seasonal work to support their families. At this training, Shohnazarova introduced the participants to the concept of human trafficking, risk factors, shared true accounts of victims from Kurgan-Tube, and directed participants to websites with resources for preventing trafficking.
Shonazarova commented “the problems of labor migrants should be addressed at the government level, so that there will be laws to provide efficient regulation of the process.” She advised potential migrants to “know the local language and have their documents prepared properly, keeping copies in case of loss or confiscation by officials or criminals.”
After the seminar, graduate student Sadriddin Yokubov remarked that, “many people from my village who went to Russia didn’t even know the Russian language, were going abroad for the first time, and did not have adequate information about the country. Now I have information that I can share with my friends and fellow villagers, warning them about problems that can pose threats to them while they’re far away from home.”
Professor Dosti Sharifov (center) fields
participants’ questions while student
Marjona Nazarova (front) types his
answers at the IATP access site
in Kulyab, Tajikistan
Citizens Honor the 2700th Anniversary of the City of Kulyab Online
On August 18, IATP brought together more than 15 people, including students, representatives of NGOs, and journalists at five access sites to celebrate the history and heritage of Tajikistan by marking the 2700th anniversary of the city of Kulyab. Dosti Sharifov, chair of the department of history and law at Kulyab State University and author of a book on the history of Kulyab, hosted the event at the local IATP center. Sharifov participated in an important archaeological excavation as part of the research for his book, which uncovered the nearly 3000-year-old skeleton of a boy buried in a fetal position with a jug underneath, a traditional Zoroastrian burial practice that proved the presence of the religion before the arrival of Islam in the area.
Sharifov commented on the status of the Hulkub Fortress, a 10th century capital city, which is now being considered by UNESCO for inclusion on the list of World Heritage Sites. “It is certainly one of the priority sites in the restoration process of the past two years. The process includes restoration of Hulbuk Fortress and reconstruction of the Hulbuk Museum. It has a great value as the historical heritage of our nation, and a lot of information will be available about it in publications and on the Internet.”
At the end of the online discussion, participants shared links to interesting websites about the topic such as a website about Kulyab created by IATP user Tahmina Rahmonova, and the Kulyab City Website.
KAZAKHSTAN
Aibarsha Demejan inputs user
information into the site’s database
at the IATP access site in
Atyrau, Kazakhstan
Volunteers Prepare for Sustainability by Administering IATP Access Site in Atyrau, Kazakhstan
On August 13, access site volunteers Aibarsha Demejan, Albert Kubishev, and Victor Grednev completed a week-long collaboration with IATP by administering the local access site in Atyrau, Kazakhstan. In the course of the week under the volunteers’ supervision, the site worked in accordance with the regular schedule.
IATP Administrator Nurgul Nassieyeva was present during the week, and observed the work of the volunteers, but instilled in them a sense of responsibility by letting them handle all aspects of site administration, freeing up her own time for strategic long-term planning of site activities. Demejan, Kubishev, and Grednev worked seven hours daily from 9:00 to 17:00 to manage the site; teaching IT courses, providing consultations, and regisering new visitors. Demejan and Kubishev signed up 73 returning users for free Internet access during their involvement with IATP access site, registered 25 new visitors, and performed other duties normally fulfilled by an IREX staff member. Grednev led two courses on the basics of Internet use and introduced six local residents to search engines, e-mail services, online media outlets, and language resources.
“Site management was an interesting experience, but quite challenging,” noted Kubishev. “There were three of us, but we could hardly perform all the duties. I think we did our best in site management, and we’re looking forward to learning new things.” IATP staff noted that such opportunities to manage the site serve the dual purpose of giving volunteers practical management experience, while ensuring the continued success of IATP with sustainable volunteer administration. The volunteers will administer the IATP access site for another week from September 18 to 22.
Teachers explore online resources
at the IIC in Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan
High School Teachers Learn to Use Internet Resources for Professional Purposes in Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan
On August 17-18, five Kazakh teachers increased their teaching capacities at the Independent Internet Center (IIC) in Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan. IICs are former IATP sites that are now administered entirely by IREX’s partner, while continuing to provide at least 20 hours of free Internet access and training each month and charging modest fees for other services to defray operating costs.
The two-day seminar was conducted by IIC Administrator Marina Bebko in order to improve the participants’ online search proficiency and translation skills to help them incorporate useful online educational materials into their teaching. Participants learned to use search engines and browsed online educational resources such as the Electronic Library. Participants also discovered multilingual translation tools, such as the ABBYY online translator at www.lingvo.ru.
“I approached Internet resources with caution, as I thought that they contain unverified information. The seminar helped me gain a great deal of useful information on economics, which I plan to include in my teaching in the Fall,” remarked economics teacher Mayra Abildina. The rural teachers learned how to benefit from online Web resources and prepare for the new academic year by incorporating practice tests and games, tips on interactive teaching, and in-class activities into their curricula. The participants also expressed their eagerness to attend the next workshop in September dedicated to online library resources. IATP trains more than 1,600 residents of Kazakhstan every month in the basics of computer and Internet use, Web design, and advanced IT applications.
TURKMENISTAN
Professor Haitov (Fulbright 04)
delivers his presentation on IHL
at the Alumni Resource Center
(ARC) in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Citizens of Turkmenistan Gain Knowledge of International Humanitarian Law and Peace-Making in Online Discussion
On August 16, 18 Turkmenistanis acquired knowledge of international humanitarian law and their country’s role in the regional peace process during an online discussion moderated by Murad Haitov (Fulbright 04). College students, Law Department faculty from International Turkmen-Turkish University, Red Crescent representatives, and alumni of US-government-sponsored exchange programs, participated in the discussion from the IATP access sites in Ashgabat and Mary.
Haitov first explained the meaning of international humanitarian law (IHL), which is a set of rules which seek to limit the effects of armed conflict. IHL protects persons who are not participating in hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare. In the course of the chat, the participants learned that the IHL database contains 100 treaties, four conventions, and several protocols, and outlined the basic rules of IHL, such as protection of doctors or ambulances displaying a Red Cross sign.
Bahar Rahmanova, a representative from Red Crescent in Turkmenistan, asked, “What is Turkmenistan’s contribution to development of international humanitarian law?” Professor Haitov replied that Turkmenistan has been in observance of IHL since December 12, 1995, is a neutral country, and contributes to peace processes in the Central Asian region. He described several peace-making meetings in Ashgabat, such as the Inter-Tajik and Afghan negotiations, and acting as an leader in developing the convention prohibiting the use of antipersonnel mines.
Merdan Atayev (UGRAD 03) from Ashgabat commented, “The discussion enabled me to understand the importance of observance of international law as it is recognized by Turkmenistan.”
Puzarina prepares questions on
American history at the IATP access
site in Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan
Students throughout Turkmenistan Gaining Web Research Skills during Online Quiz on American Heritage
On August 1, 18 students, IATP volunteers, and ECA alumni augmented their knowledge of American history and culture while improving their internet research skills at the IATP access sites in Mary, Ashgabat, and Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan. Three days prior to the event, event organizer Kristina Puzarina (FLEX 05) announced the quiz topic to the participants, who used IATP’s Internet access to prepare for the online competition by searching for necessary information on the Web. Among other resources, participants browsed the US White House’s website and World Pathfinder, an American-based online magazine, where they learned about the US government system, local holidays, customs, and traditions.
During the online quiz, Puzarina asked the participants fifteen questions about American history and traditions, with specific questions on topics such as Civil War battles, natural disasters, and America’s various ethnic migrations. Six participants from Mary, including Aleksander Panov, an IATP access site volunteer, Djamiliya Rahmanova (FLEX 06), and Sheker Annageldiyeva (FLEX 05) performed notably, correctly answering that Americans barbeque on Independence Day, that the 13 stripes on the American flag reflecting the number of states at independence, and that the state of Texas was briefly an independent country before joining the United States.
With 15 out of 18 questions answered correctly, the team from Mary took first place. The students from Turkmenabat took second place with 12 correct answers. Yevgeniy Babushkin, a student from High School #29 in Turkmenabat, remarked, “This online quiz helped us learn more about American history and culture. The main thing that I learned is how to search the Internet to find useful information.”
AZERBAIJAN
Residents discuss AIDS problem
at the IATP access site in
Imishli, Azerbaijan.
Residents Improve their Knowledge AIDS Prevention in Imishli, Azerbaijan
On August 12, a seminar on AIDS prevention at the IATP access site in Imishli, Azerbaijan helped 10 high school students, young people, and representatives of nonprofit organizations demonstrably improve their knowledge about the disease. According to the New Eurasia website, official statistics on HIV/AIDS in Azerbaijan show that over 700 people were infected and 60 died by early 2005. However, experts believe the figures are significantly under-reported. The spread of prostitution and human trafficking among economically disadvantaged groups adds to the growing concern.
To begin the seminar, IATP volunteer Natig Ismayilov and Rustam Aliyev, an employee of the Regional Infectious Disease Center, asked participants to take a test on their knowledge of HIV/AIDS, revealing that only 30% of them have adequate knowledge about the problem. IATP Access Site Administrator Abulfat Zeynalli, who has previous experience conducting seminars on the topic, followed with an overview of the HIV virus, describing its origin, and the number of infected people around the world and in Azerbaijan. Then, Ismailov and Aliev fielded participants’ questions and provided detailed information about symptoms, means of its transmission, prevention measures, the location of anonymous HIV testing centers, the cost of testing services, among other issues. Participants also visited various relevant websites, including the HIV/AIDS Prevention website in the Azeri language to further increase their knowledge on the topic.
At the end of the seminar, participants took the knowledge test again, and this time 72% of them answered all questions correctly, a vast improvement representing another important step in the fight against HIV/AIDS in their community.
Participants learn effective Internet
searching techniques at the IATP
access site in Ganja, Azerbaijan.
Young Leaders Learn How to Apply Internet Search Tools in Ganja, Azerbaijan
On July 21, more than 10 students of the Young Leaders` School at the IATP access site in Ganja, Azerbaijan mastered essential Internet searching skills by participating in a seminar conducted by IATP Administrator Elmar Ibrahimov and Tamerlan Mammadov (FLEX 02).
To begin the seminar, Ibrahimov discussed the role of the Internet in the development of society and explained advantages of e-mail and search engines in conducting academic or professional work. “As the number of websites grows rapidly on the Internet,” he noted, “learning to use search engines effectively becomes very important in order to find the specific information needed.” The trainers showed participants how to use various search tools on the Web based on keywords or key phrases to find information. Participants learned advanced techniques, such as use of quotation marks, symbols and brackets to narrow their searches. Participants practiced their newly obtained skills with popular search engine websites, such as www.yahoo.com, www.google.az, and www.yandex.ru.
Thanks to the IATP-sponsored workshop, local young leaders acquired effective research skills that will help them become more efficient in their community initiatives.
KYRGYZSTAN
Meder Tashmurza uulu moderates
the online discussion at the IATP
access site in Nookat, Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan’s Youth Launch Network of Volunteer Organizations via Online Forum
On August 16, over 30 representatives of local youth organizations gathered online from seven access sites to launch a network of volunteer organizations in Kyrgyzstan. By bringing these young community leaders, IATP and Lastochka helped them formulate a common strategy in solving the problems which face the communities where they live.
The event was moderated by Meder Tashmurza uulu, the manager of Lastochka, a volunteer organization in Nookat, Kyrgyzstan. IATP Administrator Aida Ajibekova organized the event in collaboration with the staff of Lastochka and Meerim Shamudinova, the coordinator of the summer school of the Youth Project, to mark International Youth Day. The Youth Project, funded by the Japanese Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), works with established organizations in Kyrgyzstan to increase youth involvement community development issues.
The participants debated issues such as benefits for youth from the volunteer network, goals and activities, and procedures for becoming a member organization. Shamudinova remarked, “One of the network goals is to assist local youth in addressing their problems such as access to academic and professional advancement opportunities.” They unanimously elected network officials and voted to open membership to any organization that would adhere to membership procedures, work to benefit local youth, and attract volunteers to their activities.
Tashmurza uulu recited the results of the discussion: “First, representatives of leading volunteer organizations put their thoughts together about launching the network. We also acknowledged that by uniting we can share best practices and make our efforts more effective. Finally, we unanimously agreed that we’ll be meeting online using IATP’s resources once a month to discuss our plans.”
Young people are essential to Kyrgyzstan’s processes of social mobilization, poverty reduction, and decentralized local government. With the help of IATP and its technology, these groups were able to coordinate their efforts without leaving their home communities, while benefiting from knowledge and initiative throughout the country.
Madilova shares her US experience
and program tips with her peers at
the IATP access site in Karakol,
Kyrgyzstan
Alumna Shares US Experience and Exchange Program Tips with Peers in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
On August 14, eight Karakol, Kyrgyzstan high school students learned about US-government-sponsored exchange programs from alumna Aliya Madilova (FLEX 05) through a seminar at their local IATP center. Entitled, “America: My Experience and Program Tips,” the seminar coincided with UN International Youth Day, celebrated every August.
The students had requested a seminar from Madilova because they intend to apply to the FLEX program for the 2006-2007 academic year and wanted to learn all they could about what awaits them. Madilova spent an academic year studying at Minot High School in Minot, North Dakota and living with a host family. Using IATP resources, she created a multimedia presentation for the students about the application process, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), adjusting to life in the United States, living with a host family, coping with culture shock, and making friends. All of the students had taken IATP’s basic courses on computer and Internet use in preparation for filing the application using a computer, and to prepare for computer use in the United States.
“I learned a lot about the program, specifically how to write a winning essay and how to prepare for the TOEFL,” said Participant Tamara Zalrebina. “After Aliya’s seminar I am more inspired to apply to the FLEX program.” The alumna’s experience-sharing seminar was helpful to the students in preparing for the FLEX exchange program and winning a competitive advantage over their peers in applying.
UKRAINE
Oleksandra Tsymbal explains
how to use the Internet for the
purposes of youth initiatives in
Kharkiv, Ukraine
ECA Alumna Contributes to Youth Initiative Development in Kharkiv, Ukraine
On August 22, 13 Kharkiv, Ukraine college students learned how to put technology to use for youth initiatives by participating in a seminar entitled “Internet Use in the Work of Nonprofit Organizations” at their local IATP center. Conducted by Oleksandra Tsymbal (FLEX 03), the seminar was organized as part of the “Youth Initiatives for Local Government” summer school. This school is a joint project of Spilkuvannia bez Kordoniv (Communication without Borders), a youth NGO from the nearby town of Lyubotyn, the Lyubotyn City Council, and the Kharkiv Branch of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine, a nonprofit organization working to develop a democratic civil society in Ukraine. A youth expert group will be created to promote student activities in the region and contribute to student government.
Tsymal demonstrated to the group how to search the Web for information of professional interest, send messages, images, and scanned documents via e-mail. The participants learned about tools for online communication such as online forums, and opened their own e-mail accounts. They also explored online resources for nonprofit organizations, including the Civic Space portal, which contains information about grants and competitions for NGOs, a library, an NGO database, and other useful information for nonprofit organizations.
Thanks to the efforts of Tsymbal and IATP, these young leaders learned how to harness the Internet’s capabilities for their own personal development, and that of their budding organizations.
Employees of rural NGOs explore
fundraising resources online in
Luhansk, Ukraine
Nonprofits Learn Fundraising Techniques from ECA Alumna in Luhansk, Ukraine
On August 8, 12 employees of local nonprofit organizations located around Luhansk, Ukraine gained skills in using the Internet in the fundraising process by attending a mobile training at the Slobozhansky computer club in the town of Svatove. Olha Dryhoda (CC 03) conducted the event, which allowed her to exercise the skills she obtained during a fundraising basics training course for ECA alumni at the IATP center in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, in July of 2003.
In order to equip the attendees with fundraising skills, Dryhoda guided them through methods of fundraising, searching for opportunities online, and grant proposal writing. She provided recommendations for developing a budget, building relationships with donors, and preparing complete proposal packages. She introduced the attendees to Fundsnet Online Services, which provides nonprofit organizations with information on financial resources available on the Internet and contains a list of useful links for fundraising. Finally, Dryhoda emphasized that fundraising is an effective tool for strategic planning of NGO activities and development, and shared the experience of the ECA Alumni Club, based at the IATP access site in Luhansk, in organizing charity drives for disadvantaged people, including orphans and imprisoned persons. By sponsoring this seminar, IATP showed rural NGOs new opportunities for their development through fundraising and use of Internet tools, and helped an ECA alumna pass along her knowledge for the benefit of the local community.
Cathy Brownell introduces Ukrainian
librarians to IT use in the work of
US libraries
Peace Corps Volunteer Introduces Librarians to Library Innovations in Zaporizhia, Ukraine
On August 2, 12 librarians from the Zaporizhia region improved the quality of their services and increased their productivity as a result of a seminar at the IATP access site in Zaporizhia, Ukraine. Peace Corps volunteer Cathy Brownell, who regularly leads meetings of the English Movie Club and other events at the access site, conducted the seminar on the role of technology in building the integrated US library system, which makes it possible for borrowers to search databases of multiple libraries at once, and to obtain books through the interlibrary loan system. Brownell also emphasized the role of such library systems in distance learning development: if a student of any distance course came to a library and it could not provide the necessary resources, the library could ask the wider library community for help.
The participants learned that libraries in the United States also provide IT-based services to obtain more reference materials through online discussions or e-mail. Then the attendees explored online resources on the topic, including the website of the Seattle Public Library, which contains information about library services, the book collection, a calendar of events, and other information for users.
The seminar equipped local librarians with new knowledge on IT use in library services, using the US libraries as a model. Over 2170 librarians have benefited from IATP services in Ukraine.
GEORGIA
Nino Suladze (front) answers
questions while Shota Gvaramadze
(back) moderates the online
discussion at the IATP access
site in Tbilisi, Georgia
Young Citizens Connect with Government Official Online to Learn How to Get Involved
On August 22, more than 25 students, parents, and others from six cities across Georgia learned about youth development programs, met with a key government official in the field, and discovered new ways to get involved in civic life during an online discussion hosted by IATP access sites.
Moderator Nino Suladze, chief specialist of the Youth Affairs Section of the Tbilisi City Government, opened the discussion by summarizing government efforts and activities to support youth development, such as summer job fairs, where local governments recruit students for temporary summer work, and youth patriot camps, which aim to encourage patriotic spirit by teaching national folk dances and music.
Participant La Okhanashvili (FLEX 06) asked whether the student job fairs will be organized in more cities next summer, and whether the salaries offered there be high enough to defray the cost of higher education. “Student summer job fairs have been held in three major cities so far, but more cities will be involved in the future because of the positive response in society,” Suladze answered. “This year most of the jobs were for a month, but next year there will be jobs for up to two months with higher salaries so students can earn more money to pay at least for part of their tuition.”
Suladze also helped participant Giorgi Tvaliashvili get involved in counseling at government-sponsored camps. “You should contact the Youth Department of the Ministry of Culture, which is responsible for organizing such student camps,” he advised. “I am sure they will be interested in cooperating with active and experienced youth.” Most of IATP users and volunteers are youths, a group that is key to the ongoing democratic transformation of Georgian society.
Irina Kopaliani (standing) shares
her experience with local web
designers at the in Kutaisi, Georgia
Georgian Web Designers Improve their Craft with the Help of American Expert
On August 7 and 8, five local Web designers and two Petrirsi University students received expert training and advice to improve their work quality and enhance their services at the Independent Internet Center (IIC) in Kutaisi, Georgia.
Irina Kopaliani, president of Detriot, Michigan, Web design studio CxT Group, decided to share her experience by conducting the “Web Design and Advanced Programming Technologies” seminar with local residents while visiting her husband’s native city. On the first day, she discussed modern Web programming languages and innovations in Web design and also introduced participants to methods of promoting and popularizing a website. On the second, Kopaliani looked through participants’ websites and provided evaluations and recommendations for improvement.
Participant Levan Vacharadze commented, “This seminar was very beneficial and interesting professionally, because I received valuable advice from an expert. As I was instructed by Kopaliani, one of my websites needs corrections to be properly viewed by different Web browsers, and she also pledged to help me in enhancing the quality of our work.”
“I was glad to help local Web designers improve the quality of their work,” Kopaliani concluded. “I will be cooperating and helping them online after my departure as well.”
ARMENIA
Sona Karapetyan (first from left),
Miles Urich (second from left), and
Uy Ta (center) work with students
at the IATP access site in Kapan,
Armenia.
Students Advance their IT Skills at IATP Summer Camp in Kapan, Armenia
From August 7 to 11, eleven high school students improved their skills in working with digital images, conducting research online, and designing simple websites that will help them reach their fullest academic and professional potential at the IATP access site in Kapan, Armenia. IATP coordinated the event in collaboration with local partner Youth Scientific-Cultural Organization; the Charentsavan Community Support Center; and the USAID-funded Competitive Armenian Private Sector program (CAPS).
A well-qualified team of trainers including Anna Minasyan (FLEX 01), Sona Karapetyan (FLEX 04), Kapan IATP Trainer Karen Arzumanyan, and Peace Corp volunteers Phillip George, Hillary George, Uy Ta and Miles Urich conducted the camp’s activities. Participants learned how to use e-mail and search engines, transfer and process images from a digital camera, create Web pages, set up and operate a local network, and use computer hardware. Senny Hakobyan published a website featuring his autobiography, hobbies, favorite Web links, and a photo gallery.
On the last day of the camp, Garegin Chookaszian, president of the Informational Technologies Foundation of Armenia, delivered a presentation about current trends in the IT industry in Armenia and discussed future career opportunities in Armenia with the participants. Local media also took notice, as Armenian broadcaster Khusthup TV aired a story from the site, and the Noyan Tapan online newspaper published an article as well.
Kristine Ohanyan (rear), Armine
Petrosyan (center), and Samvel
Zakaryan (front) learn about first
aid procedures online at the IATP
access site in Yeghegnadzor,
Armenia
Citizens Across Armenia Learn First Aid Online
On August 14, fourteen alumni of US government-funded exchange programs, volunteers, students, teachers, and professors from four cities across Armenia learned valuable first aid information and techniques from Red Cross First Aid Instructor Kristine Ohanyan.
To start the discussion, Ohanyan noted that in every emergency situation it is vital that there is a person who can carry out simple first aid, which is a crucial factor in the eventual outcome. She delivered a detailed presentation on the Armenian Red Cross (ARC) and its activities since the 1988 earthquake that devastated the country, showed participants how to use the website to obtain useful diagrams, and gave instructions on how to carry out first aid procedures.
Her presentation was followed by a lively question and answer session. College student Samvel Zakaryan asked, “What could I do in case of an allergic reaction if there is no medicine available?” Ohanyan advised Zakaryan to apply cold compresses on the affected area and try to take the patient to the nearest hospital. Participant Vahram Muradyan suggested the idea of organizing seminars and workshops at schools and colleges and called on participants to collaborate with local branches of the ARC.
MOLDOVA
Nicolae Reutov provides
consultations
to users at the IATP Training Laboratory
in Chisinau
Interns Contribute to Work of IATP Training Laboratory in Chisinau, Moldova
Throughout the month of August, IATP interns Ana Vertogradova, Artiom Taranu, and Nicolae Reutov contributed their time and efforts to everyday activities of the IATP Training Laboratory in Chisinau, Moldova. In July, together with seven other IATP interns, they had attended a course on effective communication and teambuilding conducted by IATP Assistant Cornelia Iacubovschi to help them work more efficiently at the IATP Training Laboratory in Chisinau. The attendees used the skills and knowledge they obtained at the training in their work with IATP users and conflict mitigation.
During August, Vertogradova, a student of Moldova State University, which hosts the training laboratory, registered IATP visitors, compiled statistics, and supervised the laboratory in the absence of IATP employees. Reutov, a student of Moldova Technical University, provided consultations to visitors in August, helping them create text documents, save and edit them, search for information, and create websites. Taranu started his internship at IATP on July 3, and by the middle of August he had already developed curriculum for an upcoming workshop on anti-virus software use. During the practical portion component of the course, Taranu and Reutov will introduce Web designers to various kinds of computer viruses, and methods of defense against them, and explain the characteristics of various anti-virus applications.
During the past quarter, IATP interns contributed over 700 hours to the work of the IATP Training Laboratory in Chisinau to support its sustainability and work for the benefit of the local community.
Valentina Singhirei works on her
website by using skills obtained
in IATP training
Trainers Gain Web Design Skills in Chisinau, Moldova
On August 5, the IATP Training Laboratory in Chisinau, Moldova improved the skill sets of four IATP interns and ECA alumna Valentina Singhirei (Fulbright 98). Petru Burdian, a student of Moldova State University, which hosts the training laboratory, explained how to optimize websites for search engines and create a user-friendly design. He also covered the main concepts of Web design, including HTML, website structure, and visual website editors. Participants learned how to use tables in Web pages and how to post resources to a server.
After the training, the IATP interns were able to give consultations on HTML basics to IATP users by applying their newly-acquired knowledge and skills. In particular, from August 7 to 11, IATP intern Nicolae Reutov instructed three employees of Moldova State University and the Prosecutor’s Office in HTML to create a website. Valentina Singhirei, by using obtained knowledge, continued improving her website, an online course on information technology use in teaching and learning. By sponsoring these courses, IATP contributed to the professional development of an ECA alumna and young volunteers and encouraged them to transfer their skills and knowledge to IATP users. IATP interns, volunteers and users continue to take the lead in Web content development in Moldova, and over 245 Moldovan websites are hosted on the IATP server.