We also shared a video of Richard speaking at the summit. Below is a press release of the donation made by the Microsoft team and education partner eSolutions Consulting.
“Microsoft believes that enablement
must start at grassroots level”
PRESS RELEASE
28 March 2017, Ghana – Ashanti –
In a move that is set to further encourage and propel digital transformation on the continent, Microsoft in collaboration with eSolutions Consulting – a local Education partner in Ghana, have today donated technological resources to equip a computer lab at Betenase Junior High School, located in Sekyedumase, Ashanti Region, Ghana.
The computer lab donation includes devices for students and lab teacher, furniture – tables and chairs, school uniforms, mathematical sets, device security storage units, 1-year free 3G connectivity, a projector, screen, UPS back up and routers. All devices will also be provided with Office Professional Plus software.
“As a technology brand that is on a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more – Microsoft believes that enablement must start at grassroots level – by way of education. It is the teachers and the work they do through their lessons, that allow for this to happen effectively. We are extremely impressed by the work educators all over the continent are doing. – As economies like Ghana become increasingly digital, technical thinking and understanding technology becomes of supreme importance. Around the world, a key part of Microsoft’s work is concentrated on empowering educators to create environments in and out of the classroom that guide and nurture student passion and enable students to achieve beyond their wildest imagination – making, designing, inventing, building the future” – Warren La Fleur, Education Lead for West East and Central Africa at Microsoft.
Microsoft delivers on promise and includes other teachers in MCE program
Teachers not only in Bentase Junior High School but across Ghana will gain access to the Microsoft Certified Educator Program (MCE) for professional development, so that they can nurture their passion for teaching and build rich, custom learning experiences for students. Training such as this is vital in ensuring that educators have the global educator technology literacy competencies needed to provide greater learning experience for students.
Working with Microsoft to provide world class solutions to enable Ghana’s education transformation has been a great opportunity for eSolutions Consulting. As a Business and IT Consultancy company set up in Ghana, we aim to help organizations both in public and private sector to improve their performance through the introduction of innovative solutions. Immersive learning, enabled by technology, improves experiences and education outcomes for teachers and learners, as it shifts behavior, motivation and helps to develop an educated workforce with globally applicable skills and knowledge noted Solomon Adiyiah, Chief Operations Officer, eSolutions Consulting.
Microsoft has also invested in developing over 300 hours’ worth of free courses, where educators are able to participate in training and receive certification. The duration of each course is between 1 and 3 hours. Focuses vary from how to use tools like OneNote, Sway, and Skype, while others are more instruction based, designed to assist them to integrate technology in their course work. This ties together through assessments and a points-based system and teachers in Ghana and worldwide have access to all these learning tools.
The commitment to education will not stop with is donation and certainly goes beyond that of Ghana.
Microsoft is in advanced discussions with the Ministry of Education (MoE) in Ghana to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on more collaborative ways of transforming education in Ghana. A key objective of this MoU will be to provide support on teacher development and advancing digital literacy in secondary and post.
Microsoft hosts Richard Akoto at its 2018 Microsoft Global Education Exchange Summit (E2) conference taking place in Singapore.
You surely have come across the post or image about a teacher who drew Microsoft Word on a chalkboard. No? Really? Not yet? Okay, let’s catch up. Richard Appiah Akoto an ICT junior high school teacher at Betenase Municipal Assembly, Sekyedomase in Kumasi, Ghana shared a post about his challenge teaching the course in his school. This story wouldn’t be any different in other parts of Ghana. But with his passion and love for his students, he decided to do his best.
Richard didn’t think his post would amount to him going viral or getting so much attention he will end up in Singapore. In a conversation with NPR he said he didn’t think it will go that far.
Supporting teachers to enable digital transformation in education is at the core of what we do. We will equip Owura Kwadwo with a device from one of our partners, and access to our MCE program & free professional development resources on https://t.co/dJ6loRUOdg
The post was drawn to Microsoft’s attention and they decided to do something about it. Microsoft promised to equip Richard Akoto also known as Owura Kwadwo, with a device through its local partners. Also giving him access to the Microsoft Certified Educator(MCE) program and other development resources. It is through this MCE program that Microsoft invited Richard to join them at its 2018 Education Exchange conference taking place in Singapore.
BREAKING NEWS:
We’re excited to see Owura Kwadwo Hottish in Singapore attending the Microsoft Global Education Exchange Summit! pic.twitter.com/2msY0msIAQ
Richard Akoto at the 2018 Microsoft Global Education Exchange Summit
Microsoft’s Education packages and solutions are about empowering every student and educator to achieve more. Doing this with the best of Microsoft tips and resources for education. Last year Microsoft launched new education packages that schools and educators can use to transform learning.
At E2 Microsoft Worldwide Education Vice President, Anthony Salcito, welcomed Richard on Stage to share his story. E2 is a Microsoft event that brings together innovative educators from around the world to collaborate, create and share experiences on how to integrate technology, advance learning, and transform education.
Anthony said; “when we saw what he did we were inspired, we thought this is amazing. We said this is an MIE (Microsoft Innovative Educator) in action, why don’t we bring this MIE into our community.”
Speaking to the audience Richard said;
“I never grew up with a computer, I said to myself if i wasn’t able to get the chance to use a computer the students should get a chance.
We were launching Microsoft Word and per the curricular we have to take them through the steps. I wanted to teach them how to launch Microsoft Word but I had no computer to show them. I had to do my best.
So, I decided to draw what the screen looks like on the blackboard with chalk. I drew the features and labeled them correctly so that they would know what-was-what. Then I drew what you would see on your computer screen after launching Word.”
“I have been doing this every time the lesson I’m teaching demands it. I’ve drawn monitors, system units, keyboards, a mouse, a formatting toolbar, a drawing toolbar, and so on. The students were okay with that. They are used to me doing everything on the board for them. When I did this, it was nothing new or strange for them.
Something very positive has come out of this and I am very happy. We are no longer going to use the chalkboard again. We will have computers.”
Microsoft is supporting educators with the power of technology to deliver quality education. Microsoft education partners hold Digital Transformation in Education Workshop in Accra, Ghana
Microsoft held a digital transformation in education workshop in Accra, to introduce its technology tools for education. Organizations and institutions from the government, public and private sectors were introduced to Microsoft’s 365 Education solution. It empowers institutions to unlock creativity and promote teamwork within and outside the classroom. Microsoft 365 Education combines the essentials of the Windows 10 platform, Office 365 for productivity and collaboration and the Enterprise Mobility Suite for security and management. It provides all these within a simplified licensing framework, simple and safe experience in a single and affordable solution.
The informative session put together by Zepto Ghana Limited and Point of View Afrique, Microsoft Education partners for Ghana showed educators of all levels how they can leverage technology in these times of digital transformation. Introducing localized and personalized solutions and devices that will suit their needs.
” Education is changing and with the power of technology
we hope we can empower every one. “
Introducing Educators to Microsoft 365 Education
Keynote speaker: Jaye Richards-Hill Microsoft Worldwide BDM Education EMEA
Keynote speaker of the event Jaye Richards-Hill, Business Development Manager, Education, Microsoft EMEA spoke on the Digital transformation of education. She spoke about Microsoft’s vision in Education and scenarios and solutions for digital transformation.
Jaye said “It is not the technology but what you do with it that is important. Education is changing and with the power of technology we hope we can empower every one. Our CEO Satya Nadella talks often about empowering STEM. Technology is driving the skills acquisition in today’s world. The skill you need today are the types of skills you need to acquire during education. It is important that institutions apply real life methods in their learning and teachings.”
Anthony Mungai Nyutu Devices Lead Education WECA
Senior Solution specialist and Microsoft Devices lead Education, WECA, Anthony Mungai Nyutu spoke about Technology in the classroom and building the education platform for the 21st-century learning. Introducing participants to solutions in Windows 10 and Office 365 that make sharing and learning interactive and fun. Demoing mixed reality in Paint 3D, Office Mix in Power Point, game based learning with Minecraft etc.
” The way you build the future
is through education. “
Helping Educators with devices and solutions
Mr. Mark Pritchard moderating the last give away device contest.
The way you build the future is through education, said Mark Pritchard General Manager Point De Vue Afrique and Zepto Ghana Limited. One of the biggest challenge in Africa is not the connectivity or technology but the money,. He said this when talking about how Point of View and Zepto Ghana are trying to fill in that gap. In partnership with EcoBank, organizations will be able to raise the needed funding to purchase the necessary tools and solutions to bring digital transformation to their schools and students.
Every government, private or public education partner or provider needs different solutions. Zepto Ghana Limited and Point of View Africa as local Microsoft education partners will help you find the right affordable solutions to transform learning and increase creativity.
Other solution partners at the event included Africa Schools Online, Girls Konnekt, Extramarks and ISYX. Check out and join the conversation with #MicrosoftEduGH #DigitalTransformationGH on social platforms.
Microsoft Invites you to Experience Digital Transformation with all that Microsoft 365 Education can offer you
The new education package Microsoft 365 Education, was official launched at Innovation Africa a few months ago in Maputo, Mozambique. The Microsoft 365 Education package is a technology solution built for education. It comes as a bundled package of Office 365, Windows 10, Intune for Education, Minecraft Education Edition and Enterprise Mobility + Security all in a single cloud based package.
“The aim of Microsoft 365 Education is to get schools up and running faster through simplified acquisition and deployment.
This eliminates wasted time and delivers new capabilities to teachers and students to help them learn and work in new ways. We know that schools want simple to purchase, simple to manage, secure and efficient systems. Microsoft 365 Education is designed to deliver on that need.” – Mark East, Microsoft Regional Leader for Education in Europe Middle East and Africa.
In the invitation it says “We are excited to invite you to come and experience all that Microsoft 365 Education can offer”
Microsoft 365 Education is here to provide educators and students with all the tools needed to teach and learn skills needed for 21st century life. Familiar products like Office 365 encourage collaboration, Enterprise Mobility Suite provides security and management, and we’ll be introducing the latest version of Minecraft: Education edition. This fun open-world game is changing and improving the landscape of learning in a way students really enjoy.
If you’ll want to learn more about the new Microsoft Education package, with demos, presentations and testimonials. Get insights and if you’ve got questions on what works and doesn’t, this is the right opportunity to participate in the event hosted by Microsoft Education Partners for Ghana, Zepto Ghana Ltd. and Point de Vue Afrique.
Educators, IT Admins, IT heads of schools, Heads of Institutions, Register to be part of this event on December 7th, in Accra, Ghana.
Microsoft holds Chief Security Officer (CSO) Executive Series themed “Think like a hacker” targeted at security experts in Accra.
The CSO Executive Series targeted at IT admins and security officers of companies was led by Greg Tworek. Greg is the director of CQURE and also a trainer at CQUREAcademy where they help experts level up. Microsoft created the CSO executive series to enables participants network with peers and engage international security SMEs. It is also an event to teach on how to create an effective information security strategy against threats and hackers.
Every day, you can do something to protect your company from attacks. Especially when taking into consideration the newest technologies. It is surprising how often a hacker can use the same paths to enter your system. Let’s put you into the hacker’s role, and perform all the activities they would to better understand the threats. – Microsoft
The very informative sessions get you to see and think from a hackers point of view. What they think and how they think when trying to steal and take information from you that will be used in later days or months. Participants also learnt some very useful tools for whitelisting, checking ransomware, phishing etc.
Session modules included topics such as your company as a potential hacker’s target and Protecting privacy and identity. Also an informative session on Using Information Technology to prevent attacks and threats.
In the era of cloud computing information on Data storage security and Data sharing security was shared.
Greg sharing on some Security Best Practices;
Understanding is the Key
Put on the Hackers Shoes
Prevention is the key to success.
Did you know 67% of young workers think cooperate social media policies are outdated. Digital signature is a great way to protect your stuff. Also 70% of users do not password protect their smartphones.
One very helpful and interesting fact Greg shared was that Office 365 cloud solutions provide a lot of gains and security.
Follow more details check out the conversation via the hashtag #MSSecurityGH. The event is also scheduled to take place in Nairobi, Kenya follow via the hashtag #MSSecurityKE
