Microsoft and DSG to spearhead public technology policies

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From left: The MoU is signed by Charbel Fakhoury, general manager at Microsoft Gulf and Dr. Tarik Yousef, dean of the Dubai School of Government

Microsoft and Dubai School of Government (DSG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will see the development of a technology policy framework for government entities in the region.

The DSG, a research and teaching organization focusing on public policy in the Arab world, is the only institution in the Middle East and fourth in the world to participate in this kind of partnership with Microsoft.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Tarik Yousef, dean of the Dubai School of Government and Charbel Fakhoury, general manager at Microsoft Gulf, who commented that: “At the core of the agreement with DSG is reform and institutional change for better governance.”

The framework, a set of guidelines and standards, will provide a foundation for innovation and research in technology. Microsoft Gulf will also collaborate with DSG to conduct a series of policy and governance workshops, and focus on content for academic programs.

“The aim of the partnership is to make it easier for regional governments to exchange knowledge, best practices and experience about effective government policies, programmes and solutions that will drive socio-economic growth in the region. In addition, this framework will educate the next generation of leaders in the Arab world by equipping them with the skills they need to address challenges of the twenty-first century,” said Nabil Ali Alyousuf from the Dubai School of Government.

At the press conference, issues such as intellectual property rights, university curricula and having a stronger bond between the government, universities and industry partners were discussed.

Pamela Passman, global vice president of corporate affairs at Microsoft Corporation pointed out that the government is a key factor in technology adoption for any country. “The government using information technology and the internet to disseminate information and provide services online are really the drivers of making technology relevant and useful to its citizens.”

The partnership between Microsoft Gulf and Dubai School of Government will run from 2008 to 2011.

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