[Digital Business Africa] – The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) today, 30 May 2019, launched the redesigned ITU Academy portal academy.itu.intto facilitate a more mobile user-friendly and secure access to ITU capacity development activities, courses and workshops in the field of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and digital development. The redesigned portal facilitates a more mobile user-friendly and secure access to ITU’s training and capacity development activities
The training portfolio ranges from general programmes for government policy-makers and regulators, professional business-focused curricula for senior ICT executives and managers, to specialized programmes for technical and operational staff and accredited academic programmes. The ITU Academy portal has also become a tool for digital inclusion as the training offerings have been widened to include ICT accessibility and training courses targeted at indigenous and marginalized communities.
“Since its launch in October 2012, the ITU Academy has responded to a growing demand for ICT training, teaching and research, equipping ITU members and other stakeholders with the specialist knowledge and tools they need to find their way around the fast evolving digital ecosystem,” says Houlin Zhao, ITU Secretary-General. “The revamped ITU Academy portal is a testament of our commitment to improving the capacity of ITU membership to accelerate the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals by leveraging and using information and communication technologies.”
The redesigned portal is the main online gateway to all ITU capacity development activities, and will enable the three ITU Sectors to highlight their work on a regular basis.
“The development and upgrading of digital skills is key to the effective use of new technologies, improved job and career opportunities, and capacity to design and implement appropriate policies, strategies and initiatives,” says Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director, ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau. “The ITU Academy is a unique platform providing ICT-related training to a global audience regardless of distance and time. I trust that the ITU Academy will act as a vehicle for delivering skills that will contribute to digital transformation and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”
The portal is easy to navigate, has a modern feel and look, and is accessible on different digital platforms including tablets and mobile phones. It is designed to make it easy for users to browse through the catalogue of courses, training and workshops. Furthermore, the portal has additional security software, which significantly reduces threats such as data breach, viruses or cyberattacks. Also available are virtual badges that can be used to show learners’ progress and celebrate their achievement.
Courses are delivered online, face-to-face and through blended learning.
By Digital Business Africa
 today, 30 May 2019, launched the redesigned ITU Academy portal academy.itu.int.){kind=link}