Doha, 28 June 2006 - Microsoft unveiled today the first community education, research and development projects that it will undertake at Qatar Science & Technology Park in Doha. The world's largest IT company will work closely with university and government partners in Qatar to deliver many of the programs, which will bolster computing skills and capabilities in the country.
Microsoft, which is already a tenant of QSTP, will invest around $4 million in six pioneering technology-related projects at the science park over the next year:
1. A collaborative research project with Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar on the development of English language written communication skills among students in Qatar. The project will contribute to an understanding of the country's current language education policy and practice
2. Development of an "Office 4 Kids" version of the Microsoft Office set of software applications in collaboration with the company's headquarters in Redmond, Washington, and also involving computer science students from Qatar's universities
3. Customisation and delivery of Microsoft's Community Learning program, partnering with organisations in Qatar to teach basic to intermediate IT skills in a hands-on manner to the general community
4. Development of an Arabic Digital Literacy Curriculum, a "train the trainers" program that will increase Qatar's ability to take advantage of emerging digital technologies
5. Implementation of the Microsoft IT Academy program, encouraging individuals to improve IT skills or pursue an IT career by providing academic institutions with teaching tools such as course material and virtual labs
6. Continuation of the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and Microsoft Certified Application Developer training programs for government and education IT professionals in Qatar.
Once QSTP's new buildings open in mid 2007 and the projects reach their full capacity, Microsoft expects to employ 25 people to run them from its base at QSTP.
"We have been carefully studying and planning our activities at QSTP to make sure they genuinely benefit the people and organisations in Qatar, and that they link with the academic institutes already here" said Mohammad Hammoudi, Microsoft's Country Manager. "Qatar is looking to the future by building a solid base of IT skills and infrastructure, and Microsoft's projects at QSTP are designed to complement and contribute to that vision."
"Microsoft is one of the world's biggest investors in research, technology development and training, so we are delighted that they will be bringing all of these activities to QSTP" said Dr. Eulian Roberts, Chief Executive of QSTP. "We are confident that Microsoft's projects will prove to be a great step forward in the development and transfer of information technologies in Qatar".
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About Microsoft Corporation:
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Microsoft opened its Doha office in 2003. Microsoft today has five subsidiaries in the Middle East region:
Microsoft South Gulf which oversees Microsoft activities in the UAE, Oman, Yemen and Pakistan, Microsoft North Gulf which oversees Microsoft activities in Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, Microsoft Arabia covering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Microsoft East Med covering , Lebanon, Jordan, Cyprus and Malta and Microsoft Egypt. www.microsoft.com/middleeast
About QSTP:
Qatar Science & Technology Park is a location for companies from around the world to develop and commercialise their technology. It provides premises, services and support programs to technology-based companies, and has a business incubator for entrepreneurs to launch new technology ventures. The science park is a free-trade zone, allowing its tenants to be foreign owned and free from tax. EADS, ExxonMobil, GE, Microsoft, Rolls-Royce, Shell and Total have already joined Qatar Science & Technology Park. As part of the renowned Qatar Foundation, it connects its tenants with universities such as Carnegie Mellon, Texas A&M and Weill Cornell. Its first buildings open mid 2007.
www.qstp.org.qa
For further information or to arrange an interview:
Dzila Dik
Marketing Executive
Microsoft
v-dzdik@microsoft.com
Tel: +974 492 7548
Fax: +974 492 7560
Ben Figgis
Marketing Manager
Qatar Science & Technology Park
www.qstp.org.qa
bfiggis@qstp.org.qa
Tel: +974 492 7130
Fax: +974 481 2307
QSTP Account Manager
Hill & Knowlton
daniela@hillandknowlton.com.bh
Tel: +974 581 9130
© Press Release 2006
