ICBA and FAO E-learning Academy highlight measurable results of ongoing collaboration

Technology

ICBA and FAO E-learning Academy highlight measurable results of ongoing collaboration

The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) and the FAO E-learning Academy have reported measurable progress in their ongoing partnership aimed at expanding certified, multilingual digital learning across the Arab region and beyond.

The collaboration, which began in August 2020, focuses on strengthening access to high-quality online education in agriculture, food systems, and natural resource management. In 2022, ICBA launched its dedicated E-learning platform, engaging approximately 1,200 learners from 70 countries across 12 specialized topics, including four courses offered in Arabic. All ICBA courses are UK Continuing Professional Development (CPD) certified, ensuring structured, competency-based learning aligned with internationally recognized standards.

As part of the partnership, two FAO E-learning Academy courses were translated and made available in Arabic, improving accessibility for professionals across Arabic-speaking countries. In addition, 49 FAO certified courses — including 43 in English and 6 in Arabic — have been integrated into ICBA’s digital platform, significantly expanding regional learning opportunities.

The FAO E-learning Academy has reached nearly 2 million professionals worldwide and offers more than 1,000 multilingual courses free of charge as a global public good. Its learning portfolio supports food and nutrition security, sustainable natural resource management, and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Dr. Tarifa A. Al Zaabi, Director General of ICBA, described e-learning as a strategic enabler of sustainable agricultural transformation, noting the importance of delivering knowledge in diverse languages to serve stakeholders across the MENA region. She highlighted that integrating multilingual FAO courses into ICBA’s platform — including within initiatives such as AWLA — strengthens institutional capacity and expands equitable learning opportunities for professionals and farmers across arid and climate-vulnerable regions.

Cristina Petracchi, Head of the FAO E-learning Academy, emphasized that strategic partnerships are essential for building long-term institutional capacity and ensuring that the transfer of knowledge results in measurable impact on the ground. She reiterated the Academy’s commitment to providing high-quality, certified, multilingual learning opportunities as a global public good.

The collaboration also includes ICBA’s contribution to the Arabic edition of FAO’s guide on E-learning Methodologies and Good Practices, supporting the adoption of advanced digital learning standards throughout the Arab region.

Together, ICBA and the FAO E-learning Academy continue to advance inclusive, certified, and competency-based digital learning solutions designed to empower professionals, strengthen institutions, and support resilient agricultural systems worldwide.