Sana'a University to deploy largest e-learning project in the Middle East

Under the agreement, Sana'a University will deploy Microsoft's Learning Gateway Solution, an advanced e-learning platform that provides a host of functions and services to educational institutions.

Sana'a University is the largest university in the Middle East, and the Learning Gateway Solution will connect the students with a powerful integrated learning environment, that includes course content, online examinations and course work submission, and communication and collaboration tools. Once complete, the project will be the largest e-learning deployment in the region.

"This project marks a milestone in e-learning in the region, and Sana'a University is proud to be leading the way in this field. Sana'a University already works closely with Microsoft, and we share their belief that the use of ICT in education can make a positive difference to the prospects of students, so we are very pleased to be working with them again for this deployment," said Dr Saleh Ba-Surrah, Rector, Sana'a University.

"The university teaches Microsoft technologies as part of some of our courses, and we are also establishing a Microsoft IT Academy on the campus, a learning center that will help increase our capabilities to teach ICT, as part of Microsoft's Partners in Learning program. However, it was Microsoft's proven experience in providing practical e-learning solutions and the high cost effectiveness of the solution led us to choose the Microsoft Learning Gateway Solution for this project," added, Dr. Hassan Sharafuddin, Dean, Computing Center, Sana'a University.

One of Microsoft's key and largest partners in Yemen, Al-Salam Establishment - I.T. Division, part of the Al-Ahmar Group, was instrumental in the development of the project, and will also be closely involved in the future of the project.

"Al-Salam works very closely with Sana'a University and with our technology partners, and we are pleased to have been able to facilitate this deal. "The development of ICT in education is essential to building a knowledge economy in Yemen, and we feel that by bringing e-learning to the University the students will gain the experience and skills they need for the future, this is in addition to the communication and collaboration tools which will enable the university's management to proceed with their critical mission revolutionarily" said Majdi Al-Masri, General Manager, Al-Salam Establishment - I.T. Division.

The Academic Agreement covers software licenses for a number of different Microsoft applications that will be combined to provide the complete IT infrastructure for the university and the e-learning solution. The Learning Gateway Solution comprises applications that handle email and live communications, a portal solution to enable staff and students to access data from off-campus; security and database servers and Microsoft Class Server, which handles the e-learning content. The agreement also includes Windows and desktop server licenses.

"Microsoft is very excited about this project and the potential that it has for the students of Sana'a University. Our technology is driving e-learning solutions across the Middle East, but this project is one of the largest of its kind anywhere in the world, and we are very pleased to that our solutions will enable new and innovative learning solutions to so many students and educators in Yemen," said Abdullatif Al Mulla, General Manager, Microsoft South Gulf.