Standard Bank offers free Microsoft Digital Literacy Course to all South Africans

Standard Bank offers free Microsoft Digital Literacy Course to all South Africans

Standard Bank is offering a free online Microsoft Digital Literacy Course to all South Africans in partnership with Pioneering Solutions Studio.

The courses focus on generic ICT skills and concepts. How to use a computer and the Internet. keeping yourself and your computer safe online. As well as how to use the most common Microsoft productivity software applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

The online course is open to all South Africans during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. You also don’t need to have a Standard Bank account to use the platform. It explores a range of digital skills and practices over four key modules. Providing the learner with the ability to utilise technology to interact with the world around them.

To register, learners will need a device, such as a phone, tablet or computer, with internet connectivity, a valid email address, together with their South African ID number. Learners that do not have an email address can register for a free Microsoft Outlook email account from the platform. Upon completion they will be issued with a Microsoft Imagine Academy certificate. This certificate will allow South African’s to claim recognition of prior learning in Digital Literacy at any institution of higher learning.

According to United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), there are nearly 1.4 billion students globally who can’t attend school and university as a result of COVID-19. Millions of people around the world are also unable to work as a result of quarantine and lockdowns.

In its latest Global Shapers Report, the World Economic Forum referred to online learning as the future of education. StatsSA’s most recent Labour Force Survey shows upskilling courses significantly increase the likelihood of employment. With more employers favouring employees that have had continuous development as professionals.

In today’s digital world, nearly every career requires digital communication at some point. Standard Bank believes that equipping yourself with the skills to effectively and responsibly find, evaluate, communicate and share online content is key to your future. “You need a certain level of digital literacy to turn on your computer. So that you can connect with loved ones but require different skills to locate and complete an online job application. Standard Bank wants you to be digital literacy savvy, whether you bank with us or not”.

The course will continue to be available post the lockdown period. To learn more about the Microsoft Digital Literacy course – visit learn section on the Standard Bank website.

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Covid-19: Free Microsoft tech to keep Kenya courts productive

Covid-19: Free Microsoft tech to keep Kenya courts productive

Kenya courts

Microsoft is giving Kenya courts six months free access to its Office 365 collaboration platform dubbed Teams as social distancing rules take root in the wake of Covid-19.

Open court sessions are suspended to limit exposure to the virus. Kenya courts are therefore relying on technology to continue operations and avoid backlogs.

Chief Justice David Maraga notes the court’s activities involve an extensive exchange of paperwork which risks the spread of the virus.

While it is prudent to upscale court activities it will not be wise to have open court sessions at this time. This doesn’t mean the courts have closed down, court operations have never and will never be closed.
The proceedings can only be conducted remotely through increased use of technology. Except in exceptional circumstances, all pleadings are being filed and served electronically.
All other matters including the delivery of judgements shall be handled through video conferencing or email.
I want to announce Microsoft has donated the application of Microsoft Teams for use for six months free of charge.

David Maraga, Chief Justice Kenya

Digital transformation is therefore inevitable in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

software has a huge role to play

Free tools

Global pandemic Covid-19 has changed the way most people work. Governments are issuing lockdowns, curfews, cessation of movements and restricting the number of individuals at gatherings to curb the spread of the deadly virus. This has compelled businesses and organizations including courts to rethink their work model.

Technology companies such as Microsoft, Facebook, Zoom and Google have stepped in to help companies wade uncertain times as they seek to stay afloat. Most of the tech firms are offering video conferencing, remote and team collaboration tools free of charge during this period. Microsoft announced it is making Teams – which comes bundled in Office 365 – free for everyone.

“During this extraordinary time, it is clear that software, has a huge role to play across every industry and around the world“, notes Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella. Speaking about the company’s unique role as a platform and tools provider during this global pandemic. 

In trying to meet global demand, Microsoft recently introduced new features in Teams. These include offline connectivity, low-bandwidth connection, real-time noise suppression, etc..

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Join the Data Science on Azure masterclass

Join the Data Science on Azure masterclass

Master Cohorts in conjunction with Microsoft and Decoded Africa present a free online data science on Azure masterclass. Scheduled to take place on the 25th of April at11am EAT. Join the event and learn how you can leverage Microsoft Azure as a Data Scientist.

Master Cohorts shares the master data science classes is an initiative to use different resources together as a community to learn Data Science. It also provides a platform to learn, mentor, socialize and collaborate.

masterclass

The program will touch on all levels. From beginner to deep dives. The event outline includes:

– Introductions.
– About Decoded by Max Musau
– Day in the life of a Data Scientist by John Mugendi and
– Azure for Data Science

Click to register and participate in the Data science on Azure masterclass.

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Apply! Microsoft opens application for the next cohort of LEAP program in Kenya

Apply! Microsoft opens application for the next cohort of LEAP program in Kenya

Microsoft LEAP program Kenya

Are you a female computer science, IT, or computer science-related course graduate? Or do you have six months or more coding experience? Apply to participate in the next software engineering cohort of the Microsoft LEAP Engineering Acceleration apprenticeship Program in Kenya.

The LEAP Engineering Acceleration Program is a Microsoft initiative that tries to increase diversity. Bringing more women into software engineering roles. By providing them with real world experience through development and project management apprenticeships with hands-on projects.

The selected participants will undergo six weeks of virtual classroom and labs training. Because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Registration is opened from today April 15th to April 21st 2020. Click here to read and get more details and to apply.

Microsoft notes, this is a training program only. However, successful candidates may be eligible to apply for Software Engineering roles within its Africa Development Center department.

Check out what university of Nairobi student shared from earlier Microsoft LEAP hackathon program in Kenya.

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Here is everything HUAWEI announced at the P40 series online global launch event

Here is everything HUAWEI announced at the P40 series online global launch event

Huawei p40 series event

Huawei Consumer Business Group (BG) held an online global lunch event where it announced the new HUAWEI P40 Series flagship smartphones. It also mentioned a host of other HUAWEI mobile ecosystem features and devices. The new flagship devices are the HUAWEI P40 Pro+, HUAWEI P40 Pro and HUAWEI P40. Other announced devices are the Watch GT 2 and GT 2e, Sound X, HUAWEI Eyewear.

Watch highlights of the HUAWEI P40 Series launch event

https://youtu.be/h0mD5v1MDFY

Missed the event? Watch it in full

https://youtu.be/x4nFTqmuQxY?t=1880

Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei Consumer Business Group, announced the latest in Huawei’s smartphone photography. The P series from the company has looked to set the pace in camera and photography innovation. With the P30 and P20 having one of the highest zoom optical lenses. This continued as the new devices are noted to outcompete the latest Samsung Galaxy and iPhone.

Event announcments

Flagship P40 phones : HUAWEI P40 Pro+, HUAWEI P40 Pro and HUAWEI P40

AI gesture controls

Huawei MeeTime

Attention Aware screen

Huawei Mobile Services

EMUI 10.1 with new vibrant 3D rendereed always on dispplay (AOD)

Hey Celia virtual assistant

Huawei Sound X

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