learning and distance education project has helped Saudi Arabia to increase the country's literacy rate, which currently account for 89 percent of the total population, said Dr. Muhammad Bin A.A. Al-Ohali, Deputy Minister for Academic Affairs, Ministry of Higher Education. With an aim to provide education to all the citizens, the Saudi government has established the the Center for e-Learning and Distance Learning (NCEL), a project that runs parallel to the country's education plan. “We launched a project some five years ago to ensure that a parallel education plan is in place that campaigns for e-learning that's at the level of university, educational institutions and targets the individuals,” said Dr. Al-Ohali. He was speaking to Saudi Gazette after announcing the launch of 2nd International Conference on e-Learning here from Feb. 21 to 24. Besides, Dr. Al-Ohali said some of the training workshops have been organized in different universities and competitions held at the center to create awareness among the people, particularly adults, he said. Following the coordinated efforts at all levels, the literacy rate in the Kingdom has reached 89 percent, said Dr. Al-Ohali. “Reaching 89 percent literacy rate is something that ensures that the center has adopted e-learning programs with a number of initiatives with government entities and universities in the Kingdom,” he said. However, he said, the literacy rate is not something that is merely defined by taking into account those that can read and write. “We have a broader definition for literacy that includes a person's ability to take decisions and have communicating skills with others in an effective manner,” he explained. He said the NCEL has signed cooperation agreements on e-learning and distance education with Ministry of Defense and Aviation, Civil Defense, Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF) and 13 universities in the Kingdom.
