Department of Education and Training

The Department of Education and Training (DET) of the Institute of Computer Science (ICS) of the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH) had been established in 1984. In its almost 30 years of operation, DET had developed a rich educational activity in subjects of information technology, providing high quality training to more than 10,000 persons in the region of Crete. DET provided innovative and customized training to cover specific market needs and used advanced methods and practices in communicating information technology knowledge.

The primary goal of DET was to provide specialized training and re-training to university graduates in cutting-edge technologies in order to enrich their career opportunities. Innovative training was provided in new technologies exploiting the research and technology experience and know-how of FORTH-ICS.

In addition, DET provided training to high-school graduates in order to strengthen their qualifications upon entering the work force. DET staff developed training paths based upon personal interviews with student candidates, combining the department's experience of the labor market and each candidate's professional needs and plans.

DET also provided customized training, on demand and upon request, to private companies and public organizations. These seminars were focused on specific private sector training needs for companies that wished to maximize the effectiveness of their personnel in Information Technology.

Upon completion of any course, the students were provided with certificates of participation which reported a detailed description of the course material and the number of hours each student had attended. In addition, DET provided testing and certification facilities for MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist), ECDL (European Computer Driving License) and Prometric exams (which included a variety of more than 2.000 certification tests).

DET participated in research programs related to the latest developments in the areas of education and training, focusing on distance learning and health care information technology.

During 2001-2004, DET was the first Academic Initiative Authorized Sun Education Center (ASEC) in Europe, offering training courses for SUN Microsystems products.

DET had developed an e-learning platform (www.noo.gr) with sample courses (in greek), accessible for free.