Click here to receive your FREE subscription to Campus Technology
News
Microsoft Expands Education Footprint in Asia Pacific Region
5/15/2008
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates announced new partnerships to extend accessibility and computer literacy in the Asia Pacific region during a speech in Jakarta at a government leader gathering earlier this week.
The announcements included new education tools for people with special needs; the extension of a skills development and certification program available through Internet cafes in the Philippines; and the expansion of Microsoft Innovation Centers in Indonesia with Pelita Harapan University.
"At the heart of our efforts is the belief that technology can provide capabilities that are key to creating new jobs and generating sustainable economic growth, including access to a quality education and the knowledge and infrastructure to foster local innovation," Gates said. "We want to do everything we can to equip people with PCs, the Internet, productivity software, e-mail and other tools of the digital information revolution so that they can be full participants in the global knowledge economy."
Microsoft will be teaming up with the Oscar-winning New Zealand-based animation studio Weta Workshop and Australian software developer Northern Territory Institute for Community Engagement and Development (NTICED). Initially, the collaboration will make resources and tools based on Microsoft's Partners in Learning Curriculum available to students with special needs and their educators through a Web site that will deliver audio, written text, images, and video through animation-based content.
Microsoft announced an agreement with Philippines-based iCafe operator Netopia to launch a pilot program that delivers learning and training opportunities through Netopia's 169 iCafes. This program will provide access to software such as Microsoft Office 2007 in addition to digital literacy courses and free certifications through the Microsoft IT Academy Learning Portal. Each course can be completed within 45 to 90 minutes. Customers pay for the usage rate of Netopia computers while doing the courses.
Microsoft also said it will collaborate with Pelita Harapan University in Jakarta to open a new Innovation Center in Indonesia. There are currently four Innovation Centers operating in Indonesia in partnership with universities. Microsoft Innovation Centers focus on three core programs: skills development through software courses, business skills and market development training, and employment programs for students; industry partnerships to foster the creation and development of industry clusters, software quality certification, and hands-on technology labs; and support for the Microsoft Imagine Cup, a worldwide student software development competition.
Dian Schaffhauser is a writer who covers technology and business. Send your higher education technology news to her at dian@dischaffhauser.com.
Cite this Site
copy text (above) for proper citation
Recommended Reading
- Moodle Gets SCORM Improvements, Security Fixes
New versions of Moodle have been released, bringing the most recent stable build to 1.9.3. The latest round of updates includes a number of bug fixes and security enhancements, as well as improvements to the SCORM module.
- Free 'Morro' Antivirus To Replace Microsoft OneCare
Microsoft is rolling out a free antivirus software program for consumers that will compete with products made by Symantec and McAfee. Code-named "Morro," the AV app is expected to be available by the end of 2009.
- Microsoft Demos New SQL Server Features at PASS
Microsoft Wednesday previewed the ability to centrally manage applications and resources in the planned upgrade of SQL Server, code-named "Kilimanjaro."
- Microsoft Unveils Exchange and SharePoint as Services
Microsoft exec Stephen Elop on Monday announced two hosted solutions from Microsoft--Exchange Online and SharePoint Online--which are now available to organizations of all sizes in the United States. The software, paid for by annual subscriptions, is hosted on Microsoft's servers and supported by Microsoft's channel partners.
- 6 Ways Not To Become Rote Using Instructional Technology
There are, in my experience, six strategies to consider with any use of technology that will guard against rote use of technology and facilitate critical analysis of teaching and learning effectiveness. In this article, I'll share with you the checklist I work with and encourage others to work with in learning about and using new technology.
- Bringing Student Web "Stuff" to Campus Enterprise Systems
How can an institution incorporate Web 2.0 learning opportunities for students, and evidence of learning from those opportunities, into existing campus technologies and processes? PlugJam is providing part of the answer.
