Microsoft Facility Will Help P Build Local ICT Workforce: Minister
By Debbie Too

Bandar Seri Begawan - Building a local workforce in information and communications technology (ICT) is one of the main objectives of the Microsoft facility that will be opening in Brunei this month, Deputy Minister of Communications, Dato Paduka Hj Yusof Hj Abdul Hamid, said yesterday.

The minister said, "We don't want to solely depend on foreign expertise, resources, skills and training. Microsoft will help us train locals who can help us in the future. Initially, the workforce will be a mix of locals and expats, but we hope to build a local workforce in the ICT through certification programming."

He said public and private sector officers who will enrol for the Microsoft training provided will be awarded the Microsoft certification recognised worldwide.

The MoU that was signed in December 2005 has also set goals in education where they will provide educators with the opportunity to advance their skills through special projects.

It will also provide a platform for Government partners to develop deep knowledge and technology expertise and provide a network for professional development and potential collaboration with other educators.

The facility will also provide policy makers, schools, principals, teachers and student tools and skills to enable education reforms.

"This partnership will not only benefit the government but also the private sector, where they will also be provided with training on the software," said Chan Wan Kong, business development manager of Microsoft. "We are also targeting the private sector, although at the moment the initial plan is to concentrate on the government."

Private sector firms that are already licensed with Microsoft in Brunei include major banks, Royal Brunei Airlines, DST, TelBru and small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs).

Earlier, licensing was done in offices in either Singapore or Malaysia.

"With this new facility in Brunei, local companies and government offices will be served better, he added.

"Brunei will benefit by having more trained people. By enforcing intellectual property rights, Brunei will be attracting foreign investment as creative ventures like new software will be well protected by the law," said Dato Paduka Haji Yusof.  -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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