AMA, Microsoft to set up e-learning hub in ME

AMA Computer University and Microsoft Corp. have committed to help achieve the goals of the government in increasing foreign labor investments and uplifting the literacy of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in information and communications technology.

In a formal dinner hosted by AMA Computer University president, Dr. Amable R. Aguiluz V, visiting Bahrain Prime Minister His Royal Highness Sheikh Kalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa together with Vice President and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teofisto Guingona were presented with the plans of AMA and Microsoft joint project in creating a people and skills development center in the Middle East.

The prime minister has allocated 2.6 hectares of land for the construction of a special school for Filipinos in Bahrain for which he initially donated some P48 million. With more than 1.5 million OFWs deployed in various positions in the Middle East, AMA and Microsoft have chosen the state to house the topmost and central "e-learning hub" for the OFW’s in the Arab region. Bahrain also has a sophisticated telecommunications infrastructure and is regarded as the financial center in the Gulf States.

The establishment of the "e-learning hub" is envisioned to realize the aspiration of the Arroyo administration to transform the country into a knowledge economy that uses information and communication technologies to harness its intellectual capital resources for national progress.

"The Philippines and the State of Bahrain share a long history of friendship and cooperation. I am confident that the state visit of Prime Minister Khalifa had further strengthen the bilateral relations of our two countries, and had provided His Royal Highness an opportunity to personally witness the positive developments occurring in the Philippines today," Guingona said.

In coordination with Bahrain and concerned government agencies, the e-learning hub" will provide continuing education and in-depth training in information and communications technology, state-of-the-art facilities and infructure that will encourage Bahrain-based businesses employing OFWs to upgrade the ICT skills of their employees.

"I believe that the state visit of His Royal Highness had fostered better relationship between the Philippines and Bahrain, and especially with our Muslim brothers in Mindanao. I wish to thank him for being father to more than 40,000 OFWs who have adopted the sovereign state to be their second home and for his ceaseless generosity in donating millions of dollars in educational support to Filipinos ever since he ascended throne," Aguiluz said.

AMA and Microsoft will provide the hub with their internationally recognized expertise in providing ICT education and software technologies.