Microsoft has launched a training programme targeting the Omani youth that focuses on developing cloud, data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills dubbed ‘Build the Skills of the Future’ in partnership with The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), Oman.
This initiative comes as part of the MoU signed between both organizations in May this year. It is also in line with The Digital Competency Qualification Initiative (Makeen) to empower Omani youth with advanced digital skills needed to succeed in the digital era as well as provide them with income-generating opportunities in the digital sector. The initiative aims to train ten thousand Omani youths in digital skills by 2025.
Through the ‘Build the Skills of the Future’ programme, Microsoft will equip students, academia, SMEs, startups and government employees with the necessary skills to succeed in the ever-evolving technology and innovation ecosystem. The training also aligns with the government’s digital transformation programme, set to run until 2025. This complements one of the National Digital Economy Programme initiatives – a key facilitator toward accomplishing Oman Vision 2040 for sustainability and economic diversification.
The ‘Build the Skills of the Future’ training programme kicked off on November 6th and will continue until December 7th 2022 at the Middle East College in Knowledge Oasis Muscat, Rusayl, offering five Microsoft Azure certification tracks.
Omani youths can choose from a range of skill levels and course topics that will enlighten them on the fundamentals of cloud, Data and AI, as well as designing and implementing a complete Data and AI solution.
Commenting on the launch of the initiative, Sheikh Saif Hilal Al Hosni, General Manager for Microsoft in Oman and Bahrain, said, “The significance of combining academic qualifications with digital capabilities and professional certifications has become imperative for current employees, entrepreneurs, and those aspiring to join the workforce.”
“We at Microsoft remain committed to encouraging lifelong learning, skilling and upskilling the workforce to fill professional gaps and ensure wholesome digital and economic transformation. With Microsoft’s unrivalled expertise, this training initiative with MTCIT will ensure government employees, students, as well as other professionals, are equipped with valued skills to accelerate the country’s digital transformation programme and ultimately drive the actualization of Oman Vision 2040”, he added.
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Microsoft South Africa and SITA sign a MoU for government adoption of public cloud services.
South Africa’s State Information Technology Agency (SITA) will be moving its government services to Microsoft’s Azure cloud. Making Microsoft’s cloud the only public cloud that can be used by the South African government. A move Microsoft believes will accelerate the digital transformation of government services in South Africa. Microsoft and SITA signed the MoU at GovTech 2019 taking place at the Durban International Convention Center in Durban.
When we decided to invest in public cloud in South Africa we did so believing that it would have a dramatic impact on the country.
The memorandum of understanding will empower Microsoft to engage with the National, Provincial and Local government through SITA.
Microsoft welcomes this move by SITA, Microsoft South Africa Managing Director, Lillian Barnard shares. She iterated that “when we decided to invest in public cloud in South Africa we did so believing that it would have a dramatic impact on the country“. Cloud technology Lillian says will also empower the private sector to innovate in ways that help to drive economic growth and job creation.
It is in line with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for South Africa to embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution. And the opportunities it presents. At Microsoft it is important for us to partner with government departments to empower their digital transformation. Help them to maximise their ability to build economic growth. Broaden social inclusion, drive good governance and achieve better outcomes for South African citizens.
MoU Overview
Microsoft outlines four areas of the collaboration.
Build solutions utilizing Microsoft’s Cloud Platform and capabilities as part of the Government Private Cloud Ecosystem (GPCE).
Assist Government with the responsible adoption of Cloud Services.
Contribute to the development of SMMEs and skills in the country so as to ensure a thriving digital economy.
Unlock value from the existing government investment in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Microsoft Announces Africa Datacenters are available. Its Africa Cloud Regions are live.
Today, Microsoft announced its Africa datacenters are live. The two Datacenters located in South Africa will bring Microsoft’s total available and announced cloud regions to 54. Microsoft says the datacenters will begin to generally offer Azure service followed by office 365 and Dynamics 365 services in the near future.
“Azure is the first of Microsoft’s intelligent cloud services to be delivered from the new datacenters in South Africa. Office 365, Microsoft’s cloud-based productivity solution, is anticipated to be available by the third quarter of calendar year 2019, while Dynamics 365, the next generation of intelligent business applications, is anticipated in the fourth quarter”.
The two regions, South Africa North and South Africa West are located in Johannesburg and Cape Town respectively.
“Azure is the first of Microsoft’s intelligent cloud services to be available from the new Microsoft cloud datacenters in Africa. And will be followed in the future by Microsoft’s cloud-based productivity solution, Office 365, and Dynamics 365, the next generation of intelligent business applications.”
Announced first in May 2017 with initial availability in 2018. The infrastructure had some setbacks that Microsoft said had to do with third-party supplier unable to deliver to specification. It was however expected in 2019.
Yousef Khalidi Corporate Vice President of Azure Networking at the event said; “with the availability of Microsoft’s cloud services delivered from Africa it will mean local companies can securely move their business to the cloud”.
Microsoft becomes the first cloud provider ahead of Amazon and Huawei go to live with its datacenters. The other cloud providers are scheduled to open or run Africa cloud regions.
New Microsoft South Africa Managing Director, Lillian Barnard spoke at the event and had this to share. “Technology is changing the way we live and work. She also says it will ultimately determine how businesses grow and innovate and Africa and Africa will not be left behind. At Microsoft we strongly believe that these substantial development in infrastructure, innovation and skills development will help South Africa navigate the fourth industrial revolution and set the country up for digital success. With today’s announcement we are aiming to accelerate these opportunities“.
Participer au prochain Sommet de Microsoft Cloud Society Future Summit à Abidjan
Microsoft vous invitez à participer au prochain sommet du futur Sommet de la société des clouds de Microsoft à Abidjan.
L’invitation se lit, “Rejoignez-nous au prochain sommet de Microsoft Cloud Society Future Summit le 24 Mai 2018, 8:00am till 01:00pm à Novotel 10 Avenue du général de Gaulle, Abidjan, lagunes 3718 Côte d’Ivoire“.
Participer and découvrir transformation numérique grâce à l’IA. “AI combinée avec l’ingéniosité humaine est déjà aider les gens à faire des choses étonnantes. Rejoignez-nous au futur Sommet et plongez-vous dans l’IA avec des exemples concrets. Discutez de l’avenir des interactions humaines que nous couvrons sujets AI“.
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Si cette vous intérêt, Inscrivez-vous ici pour appendre ces nouvelles choses dans le monde Microsoft cloud.
Saving money and Improving efficiency, using Microsoft Cloud in your Digital Transformation journey
Microsoft’s announcements of two data centers in Africa shows its seriousness in Africa says Dele Akinsade, Global Azure Program Manager. Talking about this at recently held Tech Summit in Cape Town, Dele said the data centers will alleviate challenges around compliance regulations for customers around the continent. It will also provide customers with better latency and connectivity. From Azure to Office 365 we bring these cloud services to the tips of the customer.
Speaking during the Azure keynote at Tech Summit Cape Town, Victoria Grady, GM for Azure Marketing shared on Microsoft’s plans in the region. She said;
”
This is a region that is really forward-thinking when it comes to the cloud. We see that and that is why we are investing as a company in bringing our data centres here. There is a lot of anticipation and excitement for that and my big message is that they are coming, so are you ready.
<>emSouth Africa is at the forefront of technological advancements and that is why we decided to invest in the country through our two data centers which will be up and running in 2018. We will be running a preview programme as well as an on-boarding programme for the customers. Where digital advisers will help with the transition. (We reported earlier the call to preview Microsoft Azure Cloud from Africa datacenters.)
For us at Microsoft, it’s about how we can join you on your digital transformation journey by helping you leverage a number of these technologies. We believe that we can leverage existing legacy technologies to both save money and improve efficiency with a hybrid cloud
Microsoft has a unique outlook on how we view hybrid cloud models. We see them as robust and durable and that they are likely to be around for a while. We do not see a hybrid cloud as a transition state but rather a solution on your digital transformation journey.”
Microsoft Cloud on track for 2018 in Africa
Microsoft South Africa MD, Zoiab Hoosen said Microsoft has invested heavily to make our services available to everyone and locally. We are on track to deliver these services in 2018. It is about choice and it is about trust. Choice allows an organization to either opt for on premises or on the cloud, it is a hybrid. He said the real conversation is, are you ready to take advantage of these services in 2018?
