Microsoft Malta has donated an annual grant of e55,171 to the Government of Malta. Country Manager of Microsoft Malta Ltd Pierre Mallia presented the donation, consisting in software worth EUR24,137 and a cash donation of EUR31,034, to the Minister for Investment, Industry and Information Technology Dr Austin Gatt.

“This grant is in line with the Vertical Strategic Alliance that was signed by the president of Microsoft International Jean Philippe Coutois and Dr Gatt in 2004. In line with Microsoft’s commitment to assist the Government of Malta in its ongoing mission of creating a nationwide information society, Microsoft Malta provides assistance through grants, software donations, IT curricula and direct involvement of Microsoft employees,” said Mr Mallia.

The main focus of such initiatives is to assist in the IT literacy programme and the development of IT skills in the community at large, to develop the Community Technology Learning Centres (CTLCs) as potential hubs for e-Government, and to prepare these centres to assist in the effective delivery of specialised courses for workforce transformation and employment opportunity creation.

In the coming years, Microsoft Malta aims to be present in those communities where technology has not yet been fully integrated. Focusing on digital literacy and usage, and therefore facilitating an “employable” society are two other important priorities for Microsoft Malta Ltd.

Microsoft software includes Office 2007 Win32 English, Windows OS/MultiLang UPG, Encarta Premium 2008 English – CD, Visio Std 2007 Win32 English and VFoxPro Pro 9.0 Win32 English. Here in Malta, Microsoft Malta Ltd is seeking to bridge the digital divide.