General manager of Microsoft Hong Kong Mark Phibbs said: "These initiatives represent Microsoft's firm commitment to the educational sector by strengthening Hong Kong as a centre for technology excellence. We are delivering on our promise to extend our local academic support programmes to broaden horizons for Hong Kong's IT industry and equip the next generation with the IT knowledge and creative spirit they will need to succeed in the new information society."
The first two laboratories, located at Hong Kong University (HKU) and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, are to be models of future technology deployment as plans continue to raise the bar for Hong Kong education and training of XP, .Net and web server applications.
The head of HKU¡¦s Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, Dr. Francis C.M. Lau, said: "Appropriate education and training for talented young people is indispensable in Hong Kong's drive to become a world-class centre of IT excellence.¡¨
Although the programme is aimed at educational institutions, the real objective of the mission is to set an example for helping IT companies find the qualified workers needed for the future workplace.
Carrie Yau, Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting, said: ¡§Not only does Microsoft share the vision of the Government to position Hong Kong as a leading digital city as set out in our Digital 21 Strategy, it also actively contributes to translating the vision into positive action. The initiatives taken by Microsoft have set a good example for others in the local IT industry to follow.¡¨
Hong Kong aims to continue maintaining its lead as a regional centre for many multinational companies doing business in Asia. Mrs Yau added that having Microsoft as a partner and supporter of Hong Kong technology development gives many companies the assurance that they will be able to meet the skill and infrastructure needs to run their companies from Hong Kong in the future.
