The first “Microsoft Learning Center” in the Middle East and North Africa(MENA) region will be set up by the Higher Colleges of Technology and Microsoft after the parties signed an Education Alliance Agreement today.
The Agreement is designed to strengthen public-private partnerships in harnessing the power of technology in the education sector.
Under the framework of the Agreement, the Microsoft Learning Center will be located at the Higher Colleges of Technology and will serve as a specialised resource center for faculty and students, as well as a laboratory testing environment for development of Windows Phone 7, Windows Azure, and Kinect, it was reported.
Dr.Tayeb Kamali, vice chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) said, “We are committed to providing a world-class educational experience for our students as they prepare to enter a competitive knowledge-based economy as graduates.”
“This partnership between HCT and Microsoft is strategically positioned to open up new avenues of collaboration and efficiencies for our many stakeholders – faculty, students, and administrators – so that we can further develop our emphasis on innovation in education, ensuring our students will have the skills of teamwork, adaptability, global awareness, technology and analytical thinking to make important contributions to our nation.” Dr. Kamali added.
“By working closely with Microsoft on establishing this Learning Center, the Higher Colleges of Technology will also contribute to advances in cloud computing, as well as to the highly dynamic industry of games for learning though the Kinect technology. It is therefore enhancing its reputation as an ideal choice for UAE employers seeking well-educated and well-prepared graduates,” Dr. Kamali said.
According to Samer Abu-Ltaif, regional GM, Microsoft Gulf, “Microsoft has made a long-term commitment to working with the government, teachers and students in UAE to expand the world of learning through technology. Microsoft has over two decades of experience working with education institutions worldwide and developing innovative education products and solutions. We will leverage this expertise in these pioneering joint efforts to create exceptional educational experiences for students and teachers across the Higher Colleges of Technology.”
