HP sponsored the development of a new curriculum as part of the Micro-Enterprise Acceleration Programme (MAP) that will help entrepreneurs use technology to build and grow a micro-enterprise (small business). The innovative curriculum is experiential-based and helps entrepreneurs to learn valuable information and communication technology (ICT) skills while applying technology to solve business challenges.
This was explained by Jelena Godjevac, executive director, Micro-Enterprise Acceleration Institute (MEA-I) at HP, during the presentation at the training course for HP MAP Resource Trainer status, which was held at the Suncrest Hotel, in Qawra.
“Through this course, qualified resource trainers will be able to guide other HP MAP trainers, present the value of the MAP curriculum for micro-enterprises and may implement updates, as well as train the MAP curriculum,” said Ms Godjevac. “Resource trainers will only be certified if they show the necessary skills to train new trainers. We estimate that only a handful of trainers will be both interested and eligible for this designation.”
The three-day course was attended by 12 HP MAP trainers from Malta, Egypt, Italy, Finland, Portugal, Russia and Switzerland. The course was also attended by the first three Maltese MAP trainers, who earlier this year attended the HP MAP Training of Trainers course in Lyon, France.
The MAP trainers are qualified to teach the HP MAP curriculum to groups of entrepreneurs of small businesses at MAP centres. To date there are 35 MAP centres located in Italy, Finland, Portugal, France, Germany, Israel, Egypt, Nigeria, Ireland, Russia and Malta. They are connected into a MAP network which helps to exchange best practices and allow access to HP information resources.
In Malta, the Investment, Industry and Information Technology Ministry, through its HelloIT programme and in collaboration with NGOs, and with the support of HP, Microsoft, Maltacom, Enemalta and Water Service Corporation, has set up four Community Technology and Learning Centres.
These learning centres currently provide basic ICT courses, internet access, personalised eGovernment services, and ICT job counselling. They are located at Access centre in Cottonera, the National Council of Women in Blata-l-Bajda, the Eden Foundation Complex at the Bulebel industrial estate, and at the Union Haddiema Maghqudin (UHM) in Floriana.
MIIIT is planning to introduce the HP MAP curriculum, which has been developed and funded by HP, at these centres and at other new centres which will be set up in the very near future.
About HP
HP is a technology solutions provider to consumers, businesses and institutions globally. The company’s offerings span IT infrastructure, global services, business and home computing, and imaging and printing. For the four fiscal quarters ended 31 July 2006, HP revenue totalled $90 billion. More information about HP (NYSE, Nasdaq: HPQ) is available at www.hp.com.
About Micro-Enterprise Acceleration Institute
(MEA-I)
The Micro-Enterprise Acceleration Institute is an international, non-profit organisation that facilitates access and knowledge of IT by advancing the implementation of digital acceleration centres, student-centred teaching and learning programmes through ubiquitous technology. The Micro-Enterprise Acceleration Institute is led by Didier Philippe and Dr Jelena Godjevac with associate members as a support team. More information about the new organisation is available at www.micro-enterprise-institute.org.