The Microsoft Local Impact Map Newsfeed

Moscow: Microsoft Helps Teachers Integrate Technology into Classrooms

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 11:32:56 GMT

Microsoft launched its Partners in Learning project in Russia in September 2004 to better integrate technology in classrooms, provide computer training to teachers, and ensure graduates have received the technological training they need to be successful. These goals are aligned with the focus areas set out by the National Priority Education Project announced by the government in 2005.

Partnering with the major operators of the National Priority Education Project, Microsoft helped set up a network of thirty-one IT Academies across thirty regions of Russia to better train teachers in ICT to help them better integrate technology in their classrooms.

In addition to the training network, Microsoft holds events and exhibitions across the country to share best practices among teachers.

Through the training centers and events, more than sixty-three thousand teachers were trained and more than one hundred forty-eight thousand people were reached, hugely increasing understanding of IT and its applications in the classroom.

Slovenia: Humanitas Organization in Slovenia Receives Donated Software from Microsoft

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 11:26:06 GMT

Humanitas Organization is working in the rural areas in Slovenia. Microsoft has donated software for computers which will be publicly accessible free of charge in the library of Humanitas. The computers will provide easy access to latest technologies for those that are less privileged and do not have favorable conditions in the community where they live.

Chemuyil, Quintana Roo, Mexico: Microsoft and Partners Open Community Technology Center in Chemuyil

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:19:16 GMT

In 2008, Microsoft, in collaboration with its multiple partners, began construction of a community technology center (CTC) in the underserved community of Chemuyil. The CTC opened in just a few short months and now provides residents with the opportunity to be trained in basic IT skills and thereby improve their employability and quality of life.

Mississippi: Microsoft's Commitment to Mississippi Communities

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:50:39 GMT

Through cash and software grants, technology solutions, curriculum donations, and employee volunteer hours, Microsoft supports projects and organizations which expand opportunities through technology across America.

Cairo: Training Course Helps IT Specialist Hone Business Skills

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:09:10 GMT

The Future Generation Foundation is a nongovernmental organization dedicated to developing Egypt’s business sector. It targets human resources at all corporate levels, aiming to build and support modern, effective management institutions and practices. In March 2009, the Foundation hosted a Microsoft-supported three day training program in Cairo providing an introduction to the basics of IT, the fundamentals of presentation and communication skills, and internet safety.

Tamer Hafez, an IT specialist at Dumyat’s DMSC, participated in the training. “The past three days have been really insightful. Due to my background, I already knew much of the information we covered in regards to IT; however, I found the segment on communication and presentation skills to be very helpful. “The schedule was effective and ran at a good pace. The instructor himself was very good and open to questions and discussions.”

“I think I will have a lot to share with my colleagues once I return to work.”

Nairobi: Microsoft Brings Top-Notch Training to Small Business Owners

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:33:40 GMT

Of the nine million people working in Kenya, seven million two hundred thousand are part of Kenya’s informal sector, entrepreneurs who run their own microenterprises. However, up until five years ago, few of these Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs had any formal business training.

With the support of ICEP (an Austrian NGO), Strathmore University, and Microsoft, the Informal Sector Business Institute (ISBI) was established with the goal of providing microenterprise owners and unemployed Kenyan youth with the entrepreneurship and computer skills necessary to succeed. With Microsoft’s support, ISBI has been able to provide business-related IT training and skills fundamental to proper book-keeping, paying taxes, and computer usage.

With the help of Microsoft, ISBI set-up community-based technological centers, two in Nairobi (Nairobi East and West), and another in Ishiara (Embu), where small business owners can be trained in business management, accounting, business English, business ethics marketing, and computer literacy. Entrepreneurs who have gone through the training speak to the tremendous impact it had on their businesses.

Since its inception, the results of the partnership have been extraordinary. ISBI has seen more than two thousand five hundred students graduate from the program, four hundred of whom are Jua Kali business owners. Together, ISBI’s past and present students have created more than one hundred jobs.

Madinah: Partnership Enables Saudis to Participate in Technology Industry

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:09:01 GMT

Building local capacity for innovation and entrepreneurship is essential for enabling Saudis to participate in the success of the technology industry. Through a partnership with the Knowledge Economic City in Madinah (KEC), Microsoft Saudi Arabia is helping to train young Saudis in ICT and entrepreneurship.

“Young Saudis will soon be knocking at the gates of the IT world as a result of this strategic partnership,” Tahir Rawazir, CEO of KEC said. Through the partnership, Microsoft Saudi Arabia will establish a Microsoft Academy to provide ICT training and incubators to provide young entrepreneurs with an encouraging environment to establish healthy and prosperous businesses.

Ultimately, the partnership will help to improve the Saudia Arabia’s economic and technological growth by fostering innovation, creating new jobs, and improving productivity.

Czech Republic: Helping Disabled People Find Employment in the Czech Republic

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:50:43 GMT

Created in 1996, PCs Against Barriers provides IT training to people with disabilities to improve their employability. Fourteen percent of unemployed people in the Czech Republic have some sort of physical disability.

PCs Against Barriers was set up by the Charter 77 human rights organization to help disabled people learn new skills and help them to participate in the
workforce. PCs Against Barriers applied for Microsoft funding to create classrooms, develop a curriculum, and obtain software licenses and modern equipment.

The program has trained over 7,000 people since 1996, with an additional 2,500 people being trained each subsequent year. This program has helped thousands of people with physical disabilites re-enter the workforce.

Portugal: Microsoft and Partners Enhance ICT Access in Portugal

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 06:49:11 GMT

Digital inclusion has always been a priority for the Portuguese government, but by 2007 Portugal was lagging behind its EU peers in Internet access and the numbers of computers per citizen. In partnership with Portugal’s Ministry of Works, Transport, and Communication and major Portuguese telecommunications operators, Microsoft helped more than six hundred thousand citizens gain access to low-cost portable computers and broadband. The machines were supplied by various hardware vendors and were each furnished with Windows® Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system, along with other Microsoft products including Windows Live™ Messenger.

Beijing: Microsoft Research Asia

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:08:58 GMT

The Asia lab, located in Beijing, was founded in 1998 and is Microsoft’s basic research facility in the Asia-Pacific region. Researchers in the Asia lab focus on natural user interfaces, next-generation multimedia, data-intensive computing, computer science fundamentals, and search and online ads.

Connecticut: Microsoft's Commitment to Connecticut Communities

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:48:58 GMT

Greece: Fire Truck Donations Help to Prevent Future Wildfires

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:48:56 GMT

In August 2007, wildfires devastated many parts of Greece. To help prevent future fires from getting out of control, Microsoft Hellas delivered four fire trucks, each equipped to support Windows devices with GPS, to the Voluntary Corps of Greek Firemen and Replanters (ESEPA).

As a result of Microsoft Hellas’ donation, the ESEPA established a new fire station at Loannina in the Municipality of Central Zagori. Microsoft Hellas is committed to helping ESEPA in opening additional fire stations all over Greece to prevent future wildfires from creating such disastrous effects.

Wales: Microsoft Language Interface Pack Helps to Promote the Welsh Language

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:59:03 GMT

Unlike many regional languages today, the Welsh language is growing in usage. Today, nearly forty percent of citizens in Wales under the age of nineteen can speak Welsh, a substantial increase over previous years.

This situation is in part the result of the Welsh Language Act of 1993. The Act requires the public sector to treat Welsh and English equally when providing public services in Wales and establishes the right to use Welsh in a court of law. In adopting the Welsh Language Act, the Welsh General Assembly also established the Welsh Language Board to oversee implementation of the legislation and to promote the use of Welsh in public life.

In September 2003, the Welsh Language Board partnered with Microsoft United Kingdom to create the Local Language Program for Welsh, through which Microsoft’s Language Interface Pack (LIP) technology provides Welsh versions of Microsoft® Windows® XP and Microsoft® Office® 2003.

The LIP enables teachers to conduct technology-based lesson plans in Welsh, providing students with tools for success in the twenty-first century. Additionally, Welsh citizens can perform daily tasks, such as sending email, with ease. Consistent with the Welsh Language Act of 1993, the Welsh Language Board and Microsoft have created a truly bilingual computing environment.

Alabama: Microsoft's Commitment to Alabama Communities

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:58:40 GMT