5,000 unemployed and underemployed workers offered FREE IT Training Scholarships - Non-profit organization helps bridge the digital divide"

In these difficult times, to alleviate the economic downturn, the non-profit National Education Foundation (NEF) CyberLearning, with the support of Microsoft, is offering 5,000 unemployed and underemployed workers a full tuition scholarship of $1,000 to take any or all of the 550 plus Internet-based online computing and IT courses.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    
Contact: Claudia Kay, 703-821-2100

5,000 unemployed and underemployed workers offered FREE IT Training Scholarships
- Non-profit organization helps bridge the digital divide"

Dateline: Alexandria, VA, Issued, September 19, 2002 ...
In these difficult times, to alleviate the economic downturn, the non-profit National Education Foundation (NEF) CyberLearning, with the support of Microsoft, is offering 5,000 unemployed and underemployed workers a full tuition scholarship of $1,000 to take any or all of the 550 plus Internet-based online computing and IT courses.

The 550 plus high-quality, user-friendly self-study courses, valued at $1,060, cover all levels and almost all personal computing topics including office, operating systems, programming and web design         as well as 10+ certifications including A+, Network+, Microsoft MCSE, MOUS, Cisco CCNA, CNA, Java and E-commerce.

5,000 scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis     to people with internet access and at least a high school diploma. For a nominal registration fee of $60, to cover hosting and administrative costs, interested applicants can sign up by visiting www.cyberlearning.org and clicking on IT scholarships."

In the current economic downturn, we must provide the unemployed and underemployed opportunities to improve their skills," stated NEF President Dr. Appu Kuttan, noted management and systems innovator and the author of From Digital Divide to Digital Opportunity."    

"NEF can make a positive difference in the lives of a great number of individuals...by teaching technology skills," said Pete Hayes, General Manager, Microsoft Federal Systems.
                                                                                    
About National Education Foundation

The non-profit National Education Foundation, recently nominated for the FORD FOUNDATION Leadership Award, is one of the largest online IT trainers bridging the Digital Divide. Since 1994, NEF has trained thousands of students and adults in computer ant Information Technology (IT) skills. Currently, NEF is committed to train over 100,000 students.

NEF's main mission is to train a million disadvantaged students and adults in computer and IT skills. For its visionary efforts, NEF has been commended by many including former President Bill Clinton, Intel founder Dr. Gordon Moore, Congressmen Tom Davis (R-VA) and Jim Moran     (D-VA) and the Fairfax County Human Rights Commission.

In addition to Microsoft, NEF's other supporting organizations include Dell, Washingtonpost.com, the Journal Newspapers, Mindleaders and Barrons Education.

NEF is located at 1428 Dubke Street, Alexandria, Virginia. For more information about free IT training scholarships, please call (703) 821-2100 or visit www.cyberlearning.org.

Note to editors:
Dr. Appu Kuttan is the Founder and Chairman of National Education Foundation CyberLearning, a national and global leader in bridging the Digital Divide. Dr. Kuttan is also a noted management and education systems innovator and the author of many innovative concepts and books including "CyberLearning" (Teacher-Technology-Courseware-Motivation), "Management By Systems," (Goals-Objectives-Resource Utilization) "Total Tennis," (Mental Toughness- Conditioning-Strategy-Weapon Strokes), and "Holistic Executive" (Mind-Body-Soul). His new book -- From Divide to Digital Opportunity" will be release in the near future.

Applying these concepts, Dr. Kuttan has helped to improve Venezuela's social security and health care system, India's national plan implementation program, Puerto Rico's traffic safety, University of Puerto Rico's MBA and industrial engineering programs, U.S. tennis, and Information Technology training in the United States and other countries. As Chairman and major shareholder of the famous Nick Bellettieri Tennis Academy, Dr. Kuttan helped to develop many world tennis champions, including Andre Gassy, Monica Seles, and Jim Courier. Dr. Kuttan has advised many world leaders, including Rajiv Gandhi, and has been a mentor to many young celebrities, including tennis star Monica Seles and US Presidential Honoree and Stanford JD-MBA standout Roger Kuttan.
To arrange a phone briefing with Dr. Appu Kuttan, please contact Steve Dubin, sdubin@prworkzone.com, (781) 878-9533.