MS's 3rd IT academy to widen IT literacy in Karnataka

Microsoft India on Thursday announced the launch of its third IT Academy in Karnataka.

The academy is a key part of the MoU signed in November 2004 between Microsoft and the Karnataka government for implementing the Microsoft Partners-in-Learning (PiL) programme. It is aimed at accelerating IT literacy amongst government school teachers and students in the state.

The MoU entails setting up three IT academy centres in the state. Apart from the Bangalore academy, inaugurated on Thursday, the two others are located in Gulbarga (inaugurated in June 2005) and Dharwad (opened in July 2005).

Under the MoU, Microsoft has committed to training over 20,000 teachers and 4 lakh students (from class III to class XII) across Karnataka over five years. Till date, over 2,500 teachers have been trained at the two academies.

Computer training is presently being imparted to 1,238 high school teachers and 765 primary school teachers in Karnataka. The Centre has approved imparting of computer training to another 480 high schools and funds have been released for the purpose, and tenders are also being invited.

Together, the three Microsoft IT Academy Centres are estimated to train 3,000 high school teachers each year. After five years the three Microsoft Academies will be handed over to the Karnataka government.

The IT training courseware has been translated into Kannada for ensuring improved understanding of content by teachers.

Rohit Kumar, country manager (public sector), Microsoft India said, "Microsoft believes in technology as a great enabler for education and we are associating with the education community across the country to create a learning environment whereby technology enables students to learn in a more collaborative and dynamic manner. The MoU with the Karnataka is testimony to this commitment. With the inauguration of the third IT academy in the state, we seek to accelerate the training process and reach out to more teachers and students to further enhance the learning process in schools across the country."