Microsoft Arabia signs MOU to bring partners in learning initiative to Saudi Arabia

The signing took place after a long negotiation process between the Ministry of Education and Microsoft Arabia officials. The agreement included four main protocols which are Teacher Training, E-Learning Gateway, The Digital Curriculum and finally the Data Center.

His Excellency Dr. Khaled Al Awwad, Undersecretary of Education Ministry for Education Affairs, said: "This agreement is a very important step forward for education in the Kingdom. This program will ensure that our students receive ICT teaching of the highest standard, and that our teachers are prepared and supported to educate Saudi Arabia's future generation in the IT skills they need for employment in the modern workplace."

Dr. Khaled Al Dhaher, General Manager of Microsoft Arabia commented: "Microsoft believes that the private sector has an important role to play in helping young people to develop to their full potential. We are very pleased to be able to partner with the Ministry of Education to bring the benefits of ICT to students in Saudi Arabia, and to provide them with vital skills for the future development of the Kingdom."

Saad Al Qhahtani, Public Sector Manager, Microsoft Arabia pointed that Microsoft's "Partners in Learning" initiative, launched globally in September 2003, recognizes the educational value of technology in schools. Adding to this, "Partners in Learning" also include 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 non-government organizations in each country, as appropriate, to ensure that the program meets the needs of local communities.

"Partners in Learning is an important program that is central to Microsoft's vision of helping individuals, businesses and institutions to make the best use of technology in achieving their goals. We have already introduced the program in Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Lebanon, Yemen and Oman and I am very happy that we are now able to bring the same benefits to the Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia," said Ismail Al Ghamdy, Education Sector Manager, Microsoft Arabia.

It is very important to highlight that Microsoft Arabia and the Ministry invested in previous projects and initiatives. Such cooperation was the result of belief by both parties that the educational sector is the most significant social development pillar in Saudi Arabia.

In light of the above, Microsoft is to fund the following investments under the umbrella of Microsoft's "Partners in Learning" program, hoping that they would contribute positively to the utilization of IT in the educational process. More than 30,000 Saudi teachers, IT teachers, & IT supervisors will be given intensive training in basic computer skills, Microsoft Certified System Administration (MCSA), Microsoft Certified System Engineering (MCSE) and Microsoft Project. The E-Learning Gateway will be introduced at 25 schools in Riyadh. Gateway is an e-learning solution that enhances the education process. The Digital Curriculum, which can be integrated with Class Server 3.0, will be introduced for grades. Finally, Microsoft will support the Ministry's initiative to consolidate all its data and information into a single data centre.