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We run a range of community initiatives under our “Unlimited Potential” programme in Ireland which are designed to help individuals and communities to achieve their goals and dreams through relevant, accessible, and affordable technologies. Our corporate community focus is on the provision of IT access and training to people with disabilities and people in underserved communities. Unlimited Potential aims to help people to make a better life for themselves and their families so they can achieve the safety, security, and prosperity they desire. It aims to address the challenges they face — starting with ensuring that needed skills are being developed in communities; connecting skilled people with available jobs; and managing business operations and growth in a competitive world. We have partnered with governments, non-governmental organizations, local businesses, and academic institutions to help foster entrepreneurship and support job creation with technology. You can contact Microsoft Ireland’s community affairs team at: irlgive@microsoft.com.
At Microsoft, we believe that people and their communities around the world are more likely to benefit from technology when it is available in their native language. This commitment is shared at Microsoft Ireland where we have developed Irish language versions of our popular Windows and Office products which are available as a free download for customers. The Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR) program is designed to increase the supply of low-cost computers to schools and charities while encouraging companies to extend the useful life of their PCs and keep them out of landfill. Through Microsoft’s Partners in Learning programme, the company is working with governments, educators, schools, students and other key stakeholders to offer a spectrum of education resources including tools, programmes and practices. The fundamental premise of this vision is that technology in education can be a powerful catalyst to promote learning, and that education changes lives, families, communities, and ultimately nations. The Imagine Cup is a global competition that encourages students and young people to apply their imagination, their passion and their creativity to technology innovations that can make a difference in the world. Irish students took part in this global competition for the first time in 2007 and teams from NUI Maynooth and the Dublin Institute of Technology impressed the judges at the finals in Seoul, South Korea. The Innovative Schools initiative is part of the Partners in Learning programme. It addresses the issue of how we can prepare students for the 21st-century workforce. Ireland is one of only twelve countries around the world that is participating in the first phase of the programme. Dunshaughlin Community School was chosen from schools all over the world. The aim of the programme is how to modernise schools to meet the challenges of 21st-century learning by providing schools with strategic planning, best practices, support personnel and technology solutions. Volunteering:Every Microsoft Ireland employee receives three volunteering days a year where they can give their time, effort and expertise to a chosen community project. These days can be spent working on their own preferred project or as part of a corporate-sponsored community project. Schools Mentoring:Since 2005, Microsoft has been participating in Business in the Community’s Schools mentoring programme. Microsoft staff give a two year commitment to mentor 5th and 6th year students at St. Tiernan’s Community School in Sandyford. | ||||||||||||||||||
