OVER 70 students from Mdantsane have received certificates for completing a course in information and communications technology (ICT), thanks to the Mdantsane Urban Renewal Programme (MURP).

The classes were set up during the opening of the Mdantsane Information and Communications Technology Centre in June 2008. The skills training rotates between various groups of students.

The award ceremony was held at the Mdantsane Hotel on Friday, 16 July. A MURP initiative, the centre was established to open the ICT sector to the youngsters of Mdantsane.

The centre is meant to serve the community of Mdantsane and surrounding areas with access to various ICT services and training, including basic typing and keyboard skills, email and internet.

Encouraging the students, the acting chief operations officer of the City, Andile Mshumpela, emphasised the importance of education. "With education it is not difficult for one to find employment, especially when armed with computer training. These days most jobs require people who are computer literate in addition to tertiary qualifications."

Mshumpela was the guest speaker.

Giving an overview of the project, MURP's operations manager, Mamoeketsi Khetsi, said: "I am very proud to be standing here, to see the fruits of the Urban Renewal Programme. This is one of our success stories as the office of MURP and the broader Buffalo City community."

The centre had helped MURP to achieve some of the objectives set for all urban renewal nodes in the country.

These objectives include the improvement of the quality of life of the people living in the eight identified nodes, as well as the achievement of increased equity by bringing previously disadvantaged communities closer to economic and social opportunities.

The students learned basic typing and keyboard skills, MS Office package, internet and email. The course took place over four months.

In addition to computer training, the centre provides services to the community, including internet access, emailing, faxing, typing, scanning, laminating, photocopying and printing.

Concluding her overview, Khetsi thanked the European Commission as the main funder of the project, the community of Mdantsane and the student who completed the course for trusting the services of MURP and studying at the centre.

Outlining future plans for the centre, Khetsi said that was envisaged that the centre would be the hub of ICT in Mdantsane, feeding to all ward based centres in the area. "Depending on the capacity of the training centre and the demand, the service provider will also offer advanced computer courses."