Tuesday December 06 2005 09:28:05 AM BDT

Microsoft Bangladesh signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Education on Monday to train over 10,000 teachers and over 2,00,000 students over the next three(New Age) years in partnership with the ministry.

The partners-in-learning agreement was signed during the half-day official visit of Microsoft’s chairman, Bill Gates, to Dhaka on Monday.

All key ministers of the government and Bill Gates were present at the signing ceremony at the office of the Ministry of Education.

Feroz Mahmud, country manager of Microsoft Bangladesh, and Abdul Aziz, secretary of the education ministry, signed the three-year agreement aimed at providing computer education and narrowing the digital divide in the emerging market of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is Bill Gates’ first stop in the week-long visit to this region. He will attend the summit of the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum which will be held on December 6 and 7 in New Delhi and will deal the theme ‘Leading in a Connected World’.

Before the signing ceremony, Gates met the prime minister, Khaleda Zia, other ministers and senior leaders of the business community.

The prime minister said, ‘It is our privilege to host Gates in Bangladesh today. Several topics were discussed, one of which was to explore how we can deliver technology to the community.’

‘We certainly look forward to Microsoft’s contribution to this effort to narrow down the digital divide,’ she said.

Commenting on his meeting, Bill Gates said, ‘I am pleased to see such progress in bridging the digital divide and ensuring growth of the software industry in an emerging market like Bangladesh. The results we are achieving here can only come through strong partnerships between industry and government, and I am encouraged by Begum Zia’s commitment to bring the benefits of technology to her country.’

In addition, alliances were also established and agreements were made with 10 of the leading universities in Bangladesh to deliver the Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance (MSDNAA) where teachers and students will have easier access and exposure to the latest software and technology at affordable prices.

The Microsoft learning programme comprises three courses: Partners in Learning Grants, Partners in Learning Fresh Start for Donated PCs, and Partners in Learning School Agreement.

Under this programme, Microsoft is providing technology access and skills-based training to primary and secondary school teachers and students in developing countries and under-served communities around the world.

Feroz Mahmud, country manager of Microsoft Bangladesh, said, ‘Access to technology is important. It is also equally important to be able to provide ICT skills training, tools and general guidance and advice to help people discover what technology can do for them, and what they can do with technology.’

Abdul Moyeen Khan, Minister for Science and Information and Communication Technology, said, ‘We are really looking forward to a long-term partnership with Microsoft in such efforts to help close the digital gap.’

‘Our partnership with Microsoft will help bring, and generate, innovative ways of using technology to our teachers and students. It will help to build capacity for the use of ICT by both educators and students,’ said Osman Farruk, Minister for Education.

Recently, Microsoft had also rolled out its Unlimited Potential programme, in partnership with Learn Foundation, which included $90,000 in cash grants, software, training curriculum and certifications for rural communities.

Eight existing rural telephone shops and ICT training facilities were converted to full Internet-enabled Community Technology Learning Centres.