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Catholic International Education Office Chooses Office 365 for more than 43
Million Students Globally
Partnership to change the dynamics of the modern Catholic classroom and provide students
and educators worldwide with tools and training to succeed in the 21st-century workforce.
The Catholic International Education Office (OIEC) recently entered into an education
alliance with Microsoft Corp. to provide Office 365 for its community of Catholic
schools across the world as part of a new Social Network for Catholic Education.
This will begin with provision of software for 4.5 million students as part of a
3 year alliance plan but in time has the potential to scale across OIEC’s community
of more than 43 million Catholic students, at 210,000 schools, in 102 countries.
The new network will provide innovative software and services, training and access,
to technologies that will better prepare students for the jobs of the future.
OIEC’s mission includes the promotion of education for all, collaboration within
academic communities, and the fight against illiteracy worldwide. In an ever-evolving
technology landscape, educators in the 21st century face continuing challenges to
build skills among teachers, and provide students with the tools and knowledge they
need to be successful. Working closely with schools around the globe for more than
20 years, Microsoft has a deep appreciation for these challenges. Based on experience,
Microsoft currently takes a holistic approach to working with schools, one that’s
focused on improving educational outcomes for both students and educators that will
have the greatest impact in the classroom.
"In partnership with Microsoft, we are entering a new era in global Catholic education,”
said F. Angel Astorgano, general secretary, OIEC. “We will offer the most advanced
technology, knowledge and skills to our schools so that our next generation of graduates
is prepared for the new challenges of the 21st century."
In a competitive employment landscape, graduates who have developed technology skills
are frequently provided with more opportunities. However, many schools around the
globe are not able to evolve curriculum quickly enough to keep pace. Many schools
simply do not have access to the technologies and training necessary to prepare
students for the modern work force.
"An innovative and forward thinking Catholic organization is supporting the modernization
of their schools, working with Microsoft and mutual partner Tralcom to deliver technology
solutions to Catholic students and educators around the world,” said Anthony Salcito,
Vice President of Worldwide Education. “We are excited about delivering on the technology
needs of these students and supporting a global community of individuals with shared
values, and helping to ensure they are well equipped for the jobs of tomorrow."
Through the Microsoft education alliance, OIEC will provide access to technology
and training to students and teachers as well as establish an online space for collaboration,
communication and information sharing. The alliance with Microsoft consists of the
following key elements:
- Access to technologies that enable creativity, research and study, collaboration,
and teaching and learning
- Creation of an online network for Catholic education and all OIEC schools
- Curriculum and training to develop digital literacy skills, help integrate technology
into teaching and learning, and provide blueprints for innovative schooling
- Access to research findings and tools that measure and promote innovative education
practices
Access Is Everything
According to an IDC study, more than half of today’s jobs require some technology
skills, and that number will increase to 90 percent by 2015. Using workplace technology
in a school environment gives students a head start when beginning their careers,
whereas students with no access to technology will be at a disadvantage.
Office 365 for education offers powerful collaboration tools, including SharePoint
Online, Exchange Online, Lync Online and Office Web Apps, in the cloud for organizations
of all sizes. Microsoft Office 365 for education delivers the power of cloud productivity
to educational institutions, helping to save time and money while increasing student
and faculty productivity through a rich set of privacy, security, and protection
capabilities ensuring students are safe. With Office 365 for education, OIEC students
and educators will be able to do the following:
- Communicate using instant messaging and videoconferencing, taking part in virtual
classes and transforming any conversation to include high-resolution video, application,
and desktop sharing
- Collaborate across the globe by creating class and group sites which allow users
to view availability of others and work together on projects in real-time
- View, edit, and share Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote files online
with SharePoint Online and Office Web Apps, working together on projects and assignments
- Share calendars and access mail and calendars across devices, securely and reliably
- Create and maintain compelling websites and edit them as easily as they would a
Word document
In addition, OIEC’s community of schools will receive subscriptions for Microsoft
Learning Suite, which includes a variety of tools and services that enable educators
and students to create, conduct research, study, collaborate and teach.
Innovation Networks Promote Collaboration
Beginning in 2013, components of the Microsoft Innovative Schools and Innovative
Teachers programs will be made available to OIEC to help promote innovative teaching
and learning practices. As part of these programs, OIEC schools will have access
to the Microsoft Partners in Learning Network, which is the largest online teacher
and school leader professional networking community in the world with more than
4 million members worldwide.
OIEC will have its own community area within the Partners in Learning Network to
allow for collaboration targeted across the Catholic Schools community. In addition,
select OIEC schools will participate in the Microsoft Innovative Schools program
and will be given additional resources to help promote teaching and learning innovation.
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About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions
that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Microsoft Philippines, the local subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation, has been constantly
bringing innovation and making its technology available to Filipino businesses and
individuals since 1995. As a committed and trusted partner in nation-building, Microsoft
Philippines has made it its mission to fuel growth and healthy communities, as well
as transform locally-based businesses and empower them to compete in the global
economy.
Angat Pinoy, Angat Negosyo. Angat Pilipinas.
For more information, press only:
Renzo Belardo (renzo.belardo@microsoft.com, +632 8608952)
Joy Mirasol (joy.mirasol@perceptions-inc.com, +632 8913485)
Keep up with the latest Microsoft Philippines news. Visit
http://www.microsoft.com/philippines/pressroom
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