25 graduates participated in a series of ICT Skills training sessions that were conducted by QOU as part of the Reinforcing Access to Cross-Border Employment at Palestinian Higher Education Institutions (REACH) project which is implemented with the support of the European Union through the Erasmus+ program.
In order to close the skills gap between graduates and the requirements of the labor market; the workshops worked to equip graduates with the essential knowledge and skills in information and communication technology, such as designing and managing computer networks using the Cisco packet tracer program, cyber security, and methods of protection used in the Internet and international marketing sites. It also aimed to provide participants with digital marketing skills, and skills required to deal with Freelancing platforms such as Upwork and Mostaql and others, where the most relevant marketing applications through up mailing lists, social media, Google ads, YouTube channels, LinkedIn, etc. were addressed.
First Session:
October 4, 2022
The first meeting included a general introduction to computer networks, cyber security, data protection mechanisms in addition to the basics of the “Packet Tracer-Cisco” program and the most essential networking commands. It also provided students with skills to market their experience through freelancing platforms.
Second Session:
November 10, 2022
The second meeting focused on the importance of the freelancing platforms for students and graduates, social media networks (policies, planning, and profitability), in addition to the concept of digital marketing, the most important sites used, the fundamentals of social networking sites, content ideas, and “freelancer” platforms.
Third Session:
October 18, 2022
This meeting focused on using group email “Gmail” and YouTube channels in marketing, creating a YouTube channel, Facebook and Twitter pages for marketing. It also discussed a number of self-employment platforms for freelancers.
Fourth Session:
October 25, 2022
The fourth meeting included a detailed explanation of information security. It focused on several relevant topics, including: Securing Routers, Securing Switches, Standard and Extended Access Lists, Intrusion Detection and Intrusion Prevention, Port Scanning and Vulnerability Scanning, Malware example, to provide students with knowledge and basic skills in this aspect.
Fifth Session:
December 6, 2022
The fifth meeting was supervised by Dr. Nael Abu Halawa, and included (6) training hours. It dealt with a detailed explanation of how to design a computer network, set up routers and apply the “CISCO Packet-Tracer” tool.
Sixth Session:
December 17, 2022
The sixth meeting was a continuation of the topics raised in the previous meeting, besides addressing topic on network security, protection methods and the design of internal networks.
This training comes as part of the activities of the REACH project to enhance the capacity of graduates in the field of using internet and computer network design technology in order to create job opportunities using freelancer platforms.
