Microsoft Corporate Citizenship, Connecting Up and TechSoup Asia are proud to bring you our first Tech4Good webinar series, February through June 2013.
Tune in online and listen to free presentations on technology for not-for-profits. You will also have the chance to ask questions to our presenters during each webinar.
View the webinar schedule below and click on each link to register for your free spot. Places are limited so make sure you don’t miss out!
All webinars will start at 12:00 pm Singapore time. Click here to view the time in your region.
Introduction to Windows 8
Wednesday, 27 February12:00 – 1:15pm SGT
This webinar will offer an end-user’s point of view of what’s different in Microsoft’s latest operating system – Windows 8. You will see a live demonstration of Windows 8, including new key features, how to approach the new interface, hints and tips for using Windows 8 better and an explanation of how Windows 8 devices are integrated. Register for the Windows 8 webinar now!
Microsoft’s New Office
Thursday, 21 March12:00 – 1:15pm SGT
The latest version of Microsoft Office has many new features and this webinar will take you through a live demonstration of this new suite of software and its key useful features. We will also explain how eligible not-for-profits can access donated licenses from Microsoft. Register for the New Office webinar now!
Discover Microsoft SharePoint
Tuesday, 30 April 12:00 – 1:15pm SGT
This webinar will show first-hand the value of SharePoint social features and team collaboration in real life. It will cover how SharePoint can be used for public facing websites and as an extranet. We will look at how all the out-of-the-box functionality is used to full advantage to allow people to connect, learn and experience. Register for the SharePoint webinar now!
Cloud Computing – Are you ready and how do you approach this?
Wednesday, 29 May12:00 – 1:15pm SGT
Cloud computing is an area that can deliver real benefits to not-for-profits, but only with appropriate governance and planning. In this webinar, you will learn about the Cloud, what it means for the users in your organisation, the opportunities and challenges, things to consider before moving to the Cloud and how you can approach providers. Register for the Cloud webinar now!
For more information or any enquiries on the webinars, please email events@techsoup.asia.
Coinciding with the global launch of Windows 8, Microsoft Sri Lanka recently introduced the latest operating system (OS) to students, helping them keep pace with the latest technological advances that are shaping the education landscape. The launch was held at Royal College Colombo on 26 October.
Addressing the audience via Skype™, Anthony Salcito, Vice President for Microsoft Education, said the use of the updated Windows 8 system will help enrich academic activities — creating a more impactful and interactive educational experience for students around the world.
“At Microsoft, we care about education and will continue to work together with nonprofit partners and education administrators in Sri Lanka to help students reach their full potential,” Mr Salcito said.
Around 300 students, teachers and journalists took part in the video conferencing event at Royal College Colombo, which is also the first school in Sri Lanka to be selected as a Microsoft Pathfinder School. The event kicked off with a YouTube video presentation showcasing the advanced new features of Windows 8. During the event, Microsoft also introduced how the recently launched OS can help students accelerate their learning curve. Wellington Perera, Developer Evangelist of Microsoft Sri Lanka, demonstrated how the new OS differs from previous versions, and how it can be used for educational purposes.
Mr Salcito explained, “The workforce of today has changed, and job opportunities are now more diverse and different. Students have to prepare themselves for that change. Windows 8 has been designed to facilitate the use of technology by students to improve their skills and pursue exciting career opportunities.”
Mr Salcito also cited the recent launch of the Microsoft YouthSpark programme as an example of how Microsoft aims to provide students with the necessary tools and resources for learning. YouthSpark is a company-wide initiative designed to create opportunities for 300 million youth around the world over the next three years.
Upali Gunasekara, Principal of Royal College Colombo, said, “Advances in software, hardware and cloud services from Microsoft have opened new avenues for students and teachers. It has accelerated the learning and teaching process in schools, and helped create a new line of communication between students and teachers. Technology and education should go hand in hand if Sri Lanka is to become the knowledge hub of Asia.”
“Advances in software, hardware and cloud services from Microsoft have opened new avenues for students and teachers.”
- Upali Gunasekara, Principal, Royal College Colombo
Risqi Utama Saputra, a student at the University of Gajah Mada (UGM) in Jogjakarta, was a runner-up in this year’s Imagine Cup Indonesia competition. Risqi is a member of Team Antasena from UGM, which impressed the judges with the development of Lexipal, a game application based on Microsoft technology that helps children with dyslexia overcome their learning difficulties in a fun and engaging manner.
With Microsoft’s continued support, Risqi and his Antasena team members recently bagged the top prize in the application development competition for college students at the Indonesian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Awards 2012. The term “Antasena” translates in the Indonesian language as a figure in shadow puppetry that cannot speak well but has a very good heart.
The Kinect® for Xbox 360 platform was used by the Antasena team to develop interactive online apps that significantly enhance dyslexic children’s learning experience.
“Children diagnosed with dyslexia often face problems in their literacy skills development and some may experience considerable difficulties in learning how to read, write and spell,” said Risqi. “In the development of Lexipal, we conducted extensive research and collaborated closely with medical care and teaching professionals in order to create a Kinect-based app that is conducive to helping dyslexic children learn while engaging their interest at the same time.”
Risqi and his fellow students also competed at the International ICT Innovative Service Contest 2012, held in Taiwan in November, and at the Asia Pacific ICT Awards held in Brunei in December.
“The UGM Students success in creating an app to help dyslexic children embodies the spirit of the Imagine Cup competition and our effort to inspire young people to develop innovative technologies that can bring a positive change,” said Risman Adnan, Developer and Platform Director, Microsoft Indonesia. “Microsoft is delighted that Risqi and his teammates are gaining recognition for their Lexipal application.”
“Our team conducted extensive research and collaborated closely with medical care and teaching professionals to create a Kinect-based app that is conducive to helping dyslexic children learn.”
- Risqi Utama Saputra, Student at the University of Gajah Mada
As part of its commitment to provide technology programmes that target youth, Microsoft Singapore hosted more than 50 female students from eight different secondary schools and junior colleges in September 2012 as part of the Microsoft DigiGirlz Day programme.
Andrew Pickup, Communications Director at Microsoft Asia, opened the event by sharing some of his own experiences amassed in his 20 years working with the company, "We wanted to provide the students an inside look at what it is like to work in Microsoft. Through the DigiGirlz Day activities and presentations, the participants can gain a greater awareness of the ample opportunities available.”
Microsoft invited Sucheta Firodia, Managing Director of nonprofit organisation Girls in Tech Singapore, to participate in the programme. She shared her perspectives of working in the IT industry, and also gave a presentation on the evolution of technology. Ms Firodia also took part in a panel discussion with Helene Auriol, Managing Director of Microsoft Singapore, and Julianne Truda, Microsoft Singapore HR Director, with the three female leaders in the IT sector fielding questions from the students pertaining to careers in technology.
During the hands-on technology workshop, the students were grouped in teams to participate in a ‘Building Windows 8 Apps’ competition, while Chia Yong Xiang, an IT student at Nanyang Polytechnic, showcased how his Lego NXT creation is able to solve the Rubik’s Cube through the use of a Windows Phone app.
Nazeem Mustaffa, Digital Marketing Lead at Microsoft Singapore, wrapped up the event with a presentation on the do’s and don’ts of social media, while highlighting the importance of online privacy and security.
Stephanie Hung, Public Sector Director, Microsoft Singapore, said, “DigiGirlz Day is a great platform for Microsoft to inspire female students in Singapore to explore future career paths in technology. It also presented us with the opportunity to share with these young women our work and collaboration with nonprofit organisations in the local communities we serve, which we hope will inspire them to put technology to good use.”
Microsoft Vietnam organised WOWZAPP 2012, the global hackathon competition to spearhead app development for Windows®, in November 2012 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Around 550 developers took part in WOWZAPP 2012, making it the largest hackathon event ever held in Vietnam. Last year's staging also marked the first time that the competition was held in Hanoi. Through WOWZAPP 2012, developers in Vietnam were able to showcase their creativity and gain valuable experience in jumpstarting their development projects.
A total of 130 apps were developed and the top 13 apps were awarded prizes during the two-day competition.
Microsoft's Developer Platform Evangelist (DPE) team in Vietnam trained more than 1,000 students and developers to prepare for this competition. In addition, student developers were provided with a Sacombank Visa Debit in order to register for their own Windows Store developer accounts.
“We have been very impressed with the quality and diversity of the apps that were developed, ranging from lifestyle and business apps to those developed for educational purposes. It was a difficult task for the judges to choose the winning apps. We are also greatly encouraged by the strong level of student participation in both cities, especially considering that this is the first time we are holding the competition in Hanoi," said Toan Huynh, Technical Evangelist at Microsoft Vietnam.
The winning apps include a game called “GangNam Style”, modelled after the Korean pop sensation, as well as an educational app for kids called “Edu4Kid”, which clinched the top prize. These and other app highlights will be showcased by the Microsoft Vietnam DPE team at TechDay Hanoi, held on 21 November.
“We have been very impressed with the quality and diversity of the apps that were developed, ranging from lifestyle and business apps to those developed for educational purposes.”
Toan Huynh, Technical Evangelist at Microsoft Vietnam
For more information, please visit www.microsoft.com/student/en-us/wowzapp/Default.aspx