Certiport News
Navajo Nation President, Utah Governor and Utah Valley University Among Key Recipients to Accept Certiport's Champion of Digital Literacy Award
Public and private sector collaboration supporting Native American population provides pattern of true opportunity and future sustainability
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – March 25, 2010
Certiport today announced that Dr. Joe Shirley, Jr., President of the Navajo Nation, and Utah Governor Gary Herbert will be among four recipients honored as Champions of Digital Literacy for their efforts in promoting digital literacy – an individual's ability to understand the fundamentals of computing.
Beginning in 2006, Certiport partnered with the Navajo Nation, the state of Utah and Utah Valley University with a commitment to elevate the Navajo people using self-sustaining employability skills training and certification programs. A National Science Foundation grant helped align the collaboration in order to create and fund a program that provided Navajo youth with the current and relevant skills required to enter the digital economy.
"Bridging the digital divide while maintaining our traditions, language, values and customs is one way we will all exercise true sovereignty," President Shirley said. "Instead of sending our children off the Nation to get an education, we are working to use technology to bring education, job training and certification to our lands."
The Champions of Digital Literacy Award was established by Certiport to honor the exemplary efforts of individuals that support the adoption of digital literacy standards and reinforces Certiport's commitment to providing education to employment distance learning initiatives across the globe. Award recipients are selected based on the measurable scope and social impact of their efforts.
"Supporting the growth and culture of indigenous populations has been and continues to be an investment in our future," said Ray Kelly, president and CEO of Certiport. "Digital literacy empowers individuals from all cultures to secure career and life opportunities previously unavailable to them. When individuals of a community find inclusion into the digital world, there is no limit to what they can achieve, individually and collectively."
Mr. Val Hale from Utah Valley University and Dr. Thor Anderson, National Science Foundation Grant Principal Investigator, will also be presented with the Champion of Digital Literacy Award.
"Certiport is excited to honor these individuals whose commitments have brought about the adoption of vital digital literacy standards in their schools, organizations and communities," said Quinn Sutton, senior vice president of Certiport. "Distinguishing these champions will serve as a hallmark for excellence and create a standard for America's youth as we continue working to create successful pathways through technology."
About Certiport
Certiport, a Pearson VUE business, is the leading provider of certification exam development, delivery and program management services delivered through an expansive network of over 12,000 Certiport Authorized Testing Centers worldwide. Certiport manages a sophisticated portfolio of leading certification programs including: the official Microsoft Office Specialist certification program, the Microsoft Technology Associate certification program, the Microsoft Certified Educator program, the Adobe® Certified Associate certification program, the Adobe® Certified Expert program, the HP Accredited Technical Associate, the CompTIA Strata™ IT Fundamentals, the Autodesk Certified User certification program, the Intuit QuickBooks Certified User certification program, and the IC³ Digital Literacy certification. Certiport reliably delivers over three million tests each year throughout the secondary, post-secondary, workforce, and corporate technology markets in more than 148 countries and 27 languages worldwide. For more information, please visit www.certiport.com or follow Certiport on Twitter at www.twitter.com/certiport.
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Press Contact:
Brenda Armstrong
1.801.602.0305
barmstrong@certiport.com