(From Gulf Times) -- The Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has received a Gold Award from the Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology in Qatar (ictQATAR) for actively promoting e-learning among its employees through the Qatar National e-Learning Portal.

HMC Marketing, Media and Public Relations executive director Mohamed al-Noimi received the award at the first anniversary celebration of the Qatar National e-Learning Portal on Tuesday.

He praised the initiative carried out through ictQATAR regarding e-learning adoption in all government sectors, and stressed the value of collaboration among different organisations in utilising opportunities offered by ictQATAR.

"The award recognises the continuous efforts of HMC in collaboration with ictQATAR towards the adoption of e-learning across our organisation," al-Noimi said.

HMC has achieved the highest adoption of e-learning in terms of course completion with 1,450 courses successfully completed by HMC staff in 2010 and takers achieving at least 80% scores.

Health Information Systems (HIS) department's Information Technology head Omar Sweiss was also honoured as the "e-Learning Manager of the Year" for his leadership in promoting e-learning among employees at HMC.

"E-learning has truly impacted the skill sets of many HMC employees. We have had the active support of the e-learning team at ictQATAR in our efforts to promote e-learning courses within the organisation, and to build awareness in order to lay the foundations for corporate adoption of the initiative as part of human resource development plans," Sweiss said.

He praised the self-initiative of HMC employees who were keen to develop their knowledge and skills, and have voluntarily enrolled in online business and information technology courses.