Microsoft updates UAE teachers on initiatives and solutions for the education sector

Microsoft executives shared details of a number of Microsoft educational programs at the AJYAL Microsoft Education Program Day, which was held at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Dubai.

The AJYAL day is the first in a series of events that are intended to give educators a better understanding of how Microsoft can help integrate information technology into education, to deliver a richer, more powerful learning experience. Among the programs and products featured at the event were Microsoft's Partners in Learning program, the Fresh Start for donated PCs program, Microsoft IT Academy and the Learning Gateway. Similar events are planned for the educational community in Oman and Yemen.

"Microsoft has a number of different initiatives that are intended to help teachers and school administrators to make the most of new technologies in their lessons and teaching. We also now have products such as Learning Gateway and Class Server that have been designed specifically for use in a learning environment. The AJYAL day is a great way for us to show educators in the UAE how they could be using IT in their schools, and to update them on how Microsoft can help them do this," explained Amna Al Nakhi, Academic Programs Manager, South Gulf.

The event is being sponsored by Microsoft's Partners in Learning initiative, which provides a significant investment of software and cash grants to deliver ICT skills training and technical support to the IT environment at school level. Since the launch of Partners in Learning in September 2003, agreements have been signed to deliver the initiative in Lebanon, Yemen, Egypt, Morocco and Jordan, with more signings expected in the near future. Partners in Learning is implemented in conjunction with government agencies, local businesses and non-government organizations in each country, as appropriate, to ensure that the program meets the needs of local communities.

Partners in Learning also includes the Fresh Start program and the Microsoft IT Academy program. Fresh Start, which is now available to all public schools in Oman, UAE and Yemen, provides free Microsoft Windows operating systems for Pentium I and II PCs that have been donated to educational establishments. The Microsoft IT Academy is a program to allow accredited schools and colleges to provide students with education on Microsoft technologies, to prepare them for a career in the IT industry.

Alongside the investment in educational programs, Microsoft also has products that are specifically designed for use in educational environments, such as Learning Gateway. Learning Gateway is a middleware product that allows schools and colleges to draw together different Microsoft tools, such as Exchange and SQL to create powerful learning and collaboration solutions that can be used by teachers, pupils, staff and parents.

"Microsoft is committed to education and to helping educators to bring the benefits of IT to their teaching. With the initiatives that we have invested in and the products that we have developed in co-operation with the educational establishments, we are realizing a vision of a connected learning community, that will empower everyone involved in education," said Ms. Al Nakhi.