|
One of the main objectives of the Knowledge Stations is to induce a total development process in the local communities in accordance with the Strategy put forth by the Knowledge Stations. This objective is implemented by matching training in ICT in the local communities with the needs of the local communities. The Knowledge Stations adopts e-learning and English language teaching as one of the major tools for using ICT and the Internet.
The Knowledge Stations also give training workshops and seminars on health awareness programs, provides health education courses, and facilitates access to health education sites on the Internet.
The Knowledge Stations also pave the way for the local communities to know about e-government processes for future use, since the Knowledge Stations will be used as access points to the e-government sites.
The Knowledge Stations signed an agreement with the Development and Employment Fund (DEF). The Project Management Unit of the Knowledge Stations designed an on-line system hosted on the KS website itself from which users can apply for funding on-line without traveling to Amman. The on-line system also provides information and procedures for applying for funding and request forms.
In general, by combining community development with ICT training in the Knowledge Stations, local communities are provided with greater opportunities to enhance their livelihoods, improve their skills, and stay ‘relevant’ in the labor market.
It is worth noting that the notion of establishing Information Technology centers is not a new one; on the contrary, many nations and regions have attempted, and in some cases succeeded, to bring technology and deliver its benefits to the less fortunate, information-poor segment of their societies. However the key consideration for the success of the few initiatives that have managed to effectively sustain their IT centers was their ability and foresight in identifying and implementing operating models that worked towards their financial sustainability.
It is with this understanding and appreciation, that financial sustainability was identified as paramount to the continuity of the Knowledge Station initiative. It is in this context that the King Abdullah II Fund for Development commissioned a needs assessment and sustainability study to be conducted on each Knowledge Station community. This exercise will eventually determine the needs of each community where a Knowledge Station is located and accordingly have the Knowledge Station satisfy those needs through billable services.
However, the Fund and Commission are operating under the agreement that certain Knowledge Stations will not be able to achieve financial sustainability due to the dire environment in which they operate. As such, the Fund will continue to subsidize the Station’s operating costs, to ensure a balanced return in the context of Jordan’s transformation into a knowledge-based economy.
From the above, we can conclude that the Knowledge Stations have a positive effect on the local communities and this contributed to the multi-faceted development process.
|
