05/19/2012

The Internet Access and Training Program (IATP)

Addressing a broad shortage of the free flow of information, the Internet Access and Training Program (IATP) is a versatile civil society-centered program that spurs community development by using access to the Internet as a tool for linking citizens to the outside world and by using information and communications technology (ICT) as a pillar to support local initiative. Funded by USAID and administered by IREX, better-informed and more efficient citizens use tools that facilitate the free exchange of information, build local and international associations, and improve communities. The program targets citizens in a position to generate positive change in their community, such as NGO employees, educators, journalists, and government or political representatives.

• Internet Access – Free computer and Internet access available at IATP centers helps bridge the digital divide and provides new sources of information and knowledge.

• Technical Training – A cache of over a dozen training modules, including computer basics, Web design, Internet research, blogging, and wiki creation can be tailored to meet the institutional needs of organizations and professionals attending courses.

• Web Content Development – CSOs and individuals create websites and resources after completing IATP courses. New Web resources increase local-language content, making the Internet more accessible and useful within each of the countries.

• Online Forums – Stakeholders, experts, and decision makers unite online in virtual exchanges of ideas that bridge the technology gap between regions and capital cities, and formerly integrated countries.

• Community Events – Citizens utilize the centers as neutral meeting places to organize their initiatives and use IATP-provided technology and expertise to strengthen their projects.

IATP in Tajikistan

IATP began operating in Tajikistan in 2000. At present, there are 5 IATP centers and 4 Independent Internet Centers (former IATP centers no longer funded by the program) operating throughout the country, which employ over 7 professionals, trainers, and volunteers to train, assist users access the Web, and organize various Internet-related events. From June, 2007 to November, 2008, 4,614 residents of Tajikistan visited IATP centers 72,680 times, and 2,940 people attended training courses. IATP’s server in Dushanbe hosts 512 non-commercial websites.

IATP Administration

Program Director: Mark Skogen at mskogen@iatp.ge
Deputy Regional Program Manager for Eurasia: Makhmud Naimov at mnaimov@irex.tj
Country Coordinator: Suhrobsho Davlatshoev at sdavlatshoev@irex.tj

IATP Administrative Office:
40 Pushkin Street
Dushanbe, Tajikistan 734002
Tel: (992 37) 224 79 51, 224 58 20 / 65
Fax: (992 37) 224 65 89
Web: www.irex.tj

IATP Centers in Tajikistan

City:                    Dushanbe
Partner:              Central Scientific Library of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan
Address:             33 Rudaki Ave.
Telephone:         (992 37) 227 93 31
Hours:                Monday – Friday (9 am – 7 pm), Saturday (10 am – 3 pm)
Contact person: Abdurahim Abdumajitov at aabdumajitov@irex.tj 

City:                   Garm
Partner:             NGO Rasht
Address:            9 S. Burhon Street
Telephone:        (992 3131) 2 14 03
Hours:                Monday – Friday (8 am – 5 pm)
Contact person: Ravshan Sirodjev at rsirodjov@irex.tj

City:                   Khorog
Partner:             Aga-Khan Lyceum
Address:            12 Mirzonabotov Street
Telephone:         (992 3522) 2 39 88
Hours:                Monday – Friday (8 am – 6 pm),
Saturday (10 am – 15 am)
Contact person: Nosirsho Kimatshoev at nkimatshoev@irex.tj   

City:                   Khujand
Partner:             Private School of Pulatov
Address:            54A Lenin Ave, room #1
Telephone:        (992 3422) 6 41 08
Hours:                Monday – Friday (9 am – 6 pm)
Contact person: Anatoliy Latishev at alatishev@irex.tj

City:                   Kulyab
Partner:             Kulyab State University
Address:            26 Safarov Street
Telephone:        (992 3322) 2 25 85
Hours:                Monday – Friday (8 am – 5 pm)
Contact person: Tolib Haknazarov at thaknazarov@irex.tj

MAJOR PROJECTS IN TAJIKISTAN

Through IATP government officials, labor migrants, medical professionals, journalists, representatives of NGOs and academic institutions as well as youth are improving the way they conduct work by learning skills to create and use websites, databases, word processing, spreadsheet calculation, multimedia presentations, graphic design, e-mail, and Internet resources. IREX is partnering with USAID-funded Urban Institute, Junior Achievement, Internews Network, and International Organization for Migration as well as the Migration Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan, State Committee on Youth, Sports, and Tourism, and Sugd Regional Cardiologic Hospital, and has already assisted in creation of several websites and databases as well as trained over 300 people.

• The Migration Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan (MSMIA) lunched its official website (www.migratsiaya.tj) in the framework of IATP’s Migration Management sub-project on August 21, 2007.

• Five officials of Khujand City Health Center completed a course on database development at the IATP center and created database of their patients in the framework of IATP’s E-government sub-project in September, 2007.

• Over 120 people across the country participated in 6 offline and online discussions on labor migration and human trafficking issues held by IATP since July, 2007.

• More than 45 government officials completed computer, Internet, and Web design courses at IATP centers across the country since July, 2007.

• Throughout August and September, around 20 journalists from local and international media outlets benefited from IATP’s trainings, forums, and Internet access to improve efficiency and productivity of their work.

Online Discussion Fosters Awareness of Educational Issues in Tajikistan