ECDL FOUNDATION PRESENTS
4,000,000 ECDL SKILLS CARD

4 Millionth Candidate is Turkish Deputy Prime Minister, His Excellency Associate Professor Abdüllatif Sener

The ECDL Foundation (ECDL-F), the worldwide licensing body and governing authority of the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL), has presented the 4 millionth ECDL Skills Card to Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister, His Excellency Associate Professor Abdüllatif Sener,

The 4 millionth award was made to Professor Sener at the ECDL Foundation International Annual CEO Forum held in Istanbul in October 2004 which was attended by over 100 ECDL and ICDL Licensees from more than 40 countries.

The presentation of the 4 millionth European Computer Driving Licence Skills Card confirms the ECDL's position as the world's leading end-user computer skills certification. The ECDL is available in 136 countries globally and has been translated into 36 languages. It is internationally recognised as the global standard in end-user computer skills and has been adopted by governments, international organisations and the international business community. In countries outside of Europe, the certification is known as the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL).

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Professor Sener said, "Just a few generations ago, literacy was enough for a successful life and personal development. But today, being successful requires obtaining many more skills than before. We know that the education of our citizens is the primary development issue for our country. Today, computer literacy is possibly the most important education issue we face. The economic value of computer technology comes into its own when the number of people who have the skills to use it increases and when their skills are constantly improved. Our citizens need to obtain qualifications that are of an internationally accepted standard. The ECDL provides that internationally accepted standard.
The aim of the Ministry of National Education's Studies is that all teachers and students will obtain ECDL certification and become foot soldiers in our campaign to convert Turkey to an information society. As someone who is part of that campaign, I am happy and proud to be the recipient of the four millionth ECDL Skills Card. But I will be even happier on the day when the last living citizen of our country also possesses this certification."

Professor Sener, who is also the Turkish Minister of State, was presented with his ECDL Skills Card by ECDL Foundation Chairman, Mr Jim Friars; ECDL Foundation CEO, Mr David Carpenter; the President of the Turkish Computer Society, Mr. Rahmi Aktepe and ECDL Foundation Board Director, Byron Nicolaides.

Speaking at the presentation, ECDL-F CEO, Mr David Carpenter, said, "We are delighted to present the 4 millionth ECDL Skills Card to Professor Sener on the occasion of our Annual CEO Forum. It is a mark of the widespread acceptance and the enormous success of the ECDL that just seven years after the ECDL-F was established by the European computer societies, we are today presenting the 4 millionth Candidate with his Skills Card. On a day such as this, we can see what a truly global phenomenon the ECDL/ICDL has become."

ENDS