Government of Lebanon and Microsoft sign 'Partners in Learning' MoU

The agreement covers grades 1-12 in all public schools in the country and will cover Information and Communication Technology (ICT) education for students, along with upgrading teachers' skills, software, Help Desk and other resources for schools. In partnership with the Ministry of Education, Microsoft and its education partner in Lebanon, Eduware, will implement Partners in Learning for the next four years, helping more than 2,000 teachers and half a million students in public schools develop much-needed technology skills.

His Excellency Minister Samir El Jisr from Ministry of Education said: "We have entered into this agreement with Microsoft to ensure that our public schools' teachers, students and school leaders have access to computers and training, thus helping in narrowing the skills gap in ICT as well as the quality of life, economic development and competitiveness of our future labour force in the country."

Neil Holloway, Vice President for Sales, Marketing and Services in Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa signed the Partners in Learning MOU on the behalf of Microsoft. He commented: "As an industry leader, Microsoft has a responsibility to help make technology more accessible and affordable to students and teachers. Through feedback from our government customers and educators, Microsoft has developed the Partners in Learning initiative to provide a sustainable investment in technology and training to help students focus on learning and teachers focus on teaching. We are excited about working with the Lebanese Government and educators to address Lebanon's challenges and to continue advances in education and learning."

Microsoft's Partners in Learning initiative, launched globally in September 2003, recognizes the educational value of technology in schools. Global in scope and local in implementation, this initiative provides a significant investment of software and more than US$253 million in cash grants worldwide over the next five years to deliver ICT skills training, tailored curriculum development, technical support, and research funds as well as resources to students and teachers. The Partners in Learning initiative also includes significantly lower prices for Microsoft's core educational desktop software for students and teachers. Partners in Learning is implemented in conjunction with government agencies, local businesses and local trade associations in each country, as appropriate, to ensure that the program meets the needs of local communities.

For Lebanon, Microsoft and the Ministry of Education together with NTC Eduware will work to localize and adapt the Microsoft develop ICT curriculum for schools in the country. They will also establish seven IT Academy Centers around the country, which will provide training for teachers over four years And will establish the Innovative Teacher Portal that will encourage teachers to get connected to the Innovative Teacher Community, share best practices and adopt IT in their schools.

As part of the Partners in Learning program, Microsoft will also implement the Fresh Start for Donated PCs program, whereby Microsoft provides free Windows Operating System for PCs that have been donated to schools. Partners in Learning also provides further educational discounts and free upgrades for schools through a special school's licensing agreement.

Support services for schools will be provided through a special help desk that will be set up in collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Microsoft, and a leading university. Up to 20 universities IT students will be provided with training on leading Microsoft professional qualifications, and Microsoft will also provide software and expertise to set up and run the help desk from the university.

Ramzi Itani, Education Program Manager at Microsoft said: "This Partners in Learning partnership with Government of Lebanon works towards establishing a self sustaining technology access and skills development program to help students and teachers realize their potential, in all aspects of life."

Charbel Fakhoury, General Manager for Microsoft Eastern Mediterranean said: "By working with local partners to facilitate ICT access and develop improved ICT training methodologies, we believe we can play a part in bridging the gap between those with access to education and those for whom a basic education is less attainable. Microsoft is committed to dedicating considerable resources in support of this initiative to provide for the implementation of Partners in Learning in Lebanon."

Partners in Learning is central to Microsoft's vision of helping individuals, businesses and institutions realize their potential through the use of our tools and technologies and it is critical to the company's long-term success.