Another two community centres have been set up for the teaching of computer skills, bringing the total around the island to 12.

One Community Technology Learning Centre was recently inaugurated at the Senglea local council and another at the Malta Institute of Management in Pembroke.

These centres are an initiative of the Communications Ministry, as part of its HelloIT programme in collaboration with Microsoft. They provide free internet access, courses in basic skills, opportunities for social networking and the development of skills that could help people land a better job.

Malta Communications Authority (MCA) chairman Philip Micallef encouraged the community, particularly those with special needs, to become familiar with technologies that would help them integrate better in society and lead a more independent life. Senglea mayor Joseph Casha said the council will be offering computer courses for the next three years and noted that the level of education among the community is growing.

Meanwhile, the centre in Pembroke is aimed at updating small enterprises on the latest technology, allowing them to compete effectively, said Lawrence Mizzi, president of the management institute.

The MCA has also donated 30 re-conditioned computers to the Mission Fund in its aim to make ICT accessible to all. The fund is setting up a computer laboratory in a school in Tanzania, which was built by Maltese missionaries and caters for 600 primary level children.