Microsoft Bahrain and Ministry of Social Development sign Memorandum of Understanding to launch NGO empowerment project

The program is focused on increasing digital literacy in the NGO and civil society sector and in doing so prepare Bahraini-citizens for the workplace and opportunities that will accelerate economic development in Bahrain. The first track -'train the trainer'- will teach a select group of people advanced IT skills and importantly how to pass this expertise on to others, so that they in turn become trainers.

Ali Faramawy, Vice President, Europe & MEA, attended the signing and said "Microsoft knows that providing access to technology is no longer enough. It is now equally critical to provide IT skills training, tools and guidance." The UP initiative is a global Microsoft program designed to help broaden digital inclusion and aid global workforce development by providing technology skills through community technology centers.

It is hoped that the project will not only support the economic progress of Bahrain through building youth IT skills, but will also address the challenge of employability among Bahraini youth by building IT and personal skills. This in turn will help realize the countries nationalization plans.

"This initiative will build a tier of master trainers who in turn will pass their skills on to others - ensuring the scalability and sustainability of the program," explained HE Dr. Fatima Al Ballushi, Minister of Social Development, Bahrain. "In today's knowledge-based economy, computer literacy has become a vital workplace skill—a skill that millions of people worldwide still lack. It is vital that we put plans in place to drive digital literacy across Bahrain and in turn support the social and economic development of the country."

The Bahrain Information Technology Society (BITS) is assisting in managing and executing the project. "Supporting the citizens of Bahrain through an initiative such as this is on top of our agenda and we are pleased to support it wholeheartedly," commented Adnan Al Mahmood, President of BITS. "IT skills are now no longer a bonus in the working world, they are essential and the ability to empower people not only through providing them with IT skills, but actually by giving them the means to pass on this expertise to others is an exciting one". He further added, "Ministry of Social Development, Microsoft and BITS are determined to make this a success, so others are motivated to do the same."

Microsoft is involved in many different schemes across the Gulf based on the UP platform, focusing on enabling people to find their role in society. For instance in Oman, Microsoft has partnered with Oman Women's Association to train women in IT skills and to pass this knowledge on to others.

"Microsoft is committed to local communities and to engaging with those communities wherever possible" concluded Mr Faramawy. "We understand that one of the greatest concerns of the Government of Bahrain, and indeed for all Governments across the Gulf, is to ensure that young nationals are given the skills, training and opportunities to play their part in driving the future economic and social growth of their countries."