[ossig] is this good?

[Nan Phin <nplee@tm.net.my>]

S'pore: It's never too early for Microsoft
     By Winston Chai, CNETAsia
     Thursday, February 27 2003 4:22 PM

     SINGAPORE--Grabbing 'em young--very young--seems to be
     Microsoft's new strategy in Singapore, where it plans to expose MS
     technology to children as young as six.

     “We are now working closely with the Singapore government on initiatives
     for some primary schools,” said Andy Zupsic, managing director of
     Microsoft Singapore. “Our aim is to work with students when they are very
     young and expose them to our technology, and help them realize their full
     potential through Microsoft's products.”

     Students in primary schools are mostly aged six to 12. Without disclosing project specifics, he
     said these could center on interactive online learning.

     “Instead of normal textbooks,
     primary school students can
     use the Internet as a teacher
     or virtual mentor,” said Zupsic.
     “Curriculum such as the
     history of Singapore can also
     be placed on a Web site,
     complete with narration to help
     understanding.”

     Microsoft has a whole line of
     software and hardware it could
     want to expose to Singapore’s
     next generation of computer
     users, ranging from
     educational software titles to
     the Tablet PC and Pocket PC
     operating systems to MSN,
     Hotmail and Instant
     Messenger.

     While educational investments are not new to Microsoft Singapore, previous projects have
     focused largely on older students from polytechnics and universities.

     Earlier this week, Microsoft announced that it had invested S$80,000 (US$46,000) in software
     in Republic Polytechnic’s business solutions lab, to encourage the development of enterprise
     applications.

     In addition, Microsoft will assist in curriculum development and participate in other joint
     development projects with the polytechnic.

     Outside of Singapore, Microsoft has also made significant educational investments in India.

     Last November, the Redmond, Wash.-based company launched Project Shiksha, an initiative
     to raise computer literacy in the populous nation.

     As part of the project, the company said it will set up 10 computer centers in partnership with
     state education departments, and over 2,000 school labs in cooperation with partners.

     The project, which includes teacher and student scholarships, is expected to reach over
     80,000 school teachers and 3.5 million students across India.

--

best wishes.
/nan phin

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.



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