The General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training has announced plans for the National Competition for Computer Skills, which comes within the framework of an agreement signed with Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates. Motivated by appreciation for the importance of such activities for youths in the Kingdom, Microsoft has lent their support through a financial grant amounting to SR 100,000.
The National Computer Skills Competition is open to computer fans from all segments - male or female, old or young, Saudi and expatriate, who have creative abilities in the following branches: Programming (databases, programming language, Internet Programming, asp, php etc); networking and programming operational systems; programming mobiles and hand-held devices (PDA's); multimedia; cartoon films and stills, and website design.
Dr Ahmad Bin Abdallah al-Hamid, the Dean of the Faculty of Communications and Information affiliated to the General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training, said:
"Microsoft has had a pioneering role in driving the wheel of development and upgrading in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The relationship between Microsoft and the General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training dates back to 2003, when this competition was launched for the first time. The relationship was born out of conviction that creativity, developing and upgrading skills and education in technology are important facets to ensuring qualified technical professionals capable of tackling the challenges of the future."
Dr Khalid al-Dhaher, General Manager, Microsoft Saudi Arabia commented:
"We in Microsoft are honored to contribute to such activities, which embrace the potential of students and help them realise their dream of a wonderful technical future. This competition is about spurring initiatives and creativity, through a technical competition with the participation of the programmers, developers, and program designers of the future.
"We hope the crop of this competition will serve as a nucleus for the establishment of small and medium projects that cover the market's needs of technical services, whilst providing equal employment opportunities for both sexes in the field of information and communications technology. Microsoft aims to bolster all efforts that seek to supply the labor market with efficient national capabilities to improve the national economy and drive the wheel of development on a constructive course."
About Microsoft Saudi Arabia
Microsoft launched in 1998 its Riyadh office, with responsibility for supervising offices in Jeddah and Al-Khobar. Microsoft is a leading provider of software in the Saudi market and undertakes a principal role in developing the information technology infrastructure in the educational and corporate sectors in the Kingdom. It also carries out an important role in the Electronic Government Project.
Microsoft's address on the worldwide web: www.microsoft.com
Microsoft's Middle East website: www.microsoft.com.middleeast
About Microsoft Arabia:
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Microsoft opened its Riyadh-based office in 1998 and currently operates branches in Jeddah and Al Khobar. Besides being a leading software provider in the Saudi market, Microsoft Arabia has a major role in the development of the IT, education and corporate sectors in the Kingdom. It is also playing an important part in the Saudi e-government project.
Microsoft Corporation’s address on the World Wide Web is: www.microsoft.com Microsoft’s Arabia Web site is www.microsoft.com/saudi.
