REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 4, 1999 — Today Bill Gates, chairman and CEO of Microsoft Corp., joined German Chancellor Gerhard Schr
ö
der in Bonn, Germany, to award the Road Ahead Prize to three exemplary Germany schools. Microsoft introduced the Road Ahead Prize in Europe two years ago as a program that supports lifelong learning initiatives and the innovative use of information technology and the Internet in education.
“We have always believed that education is a key area where computers and Internet access can have a great impact on the quality of learning,”
said Bill Gates.
“The schools that we are honoring today are great examples of the creativity and skills needed to embrace new technologies. Microsoft is working together with many partners in Germany and throughout the world to advance the use of IT in education.”
Gates and Schr
ö
der spoke to 500 students, teachers and government officials about the importance of IT investment in education. Following their opening remarks, they conducted a question and answer session with the students present at the event.
“The Road Ahead Prize encourages children to work with new media and recognizes individuals and classes in European schools that create interesting and innovative Web sites,”
said Richard Roy, general manager of Microsoft Germany.
“Our future depends on how we prepare our children for the information society, and this is one attempt by Microsoft to make a contribution in Germany.”
The first prize was granted to the St
ä
dtische Heinrich-Heine-Gymnasium in Mettmann, the second winner was the Hans-Sachs-Gymnasium from N
ü
rnberg and the third prize went to Johann-Wolfgang-von-Goethe Gymnasium in Rhineland-Palatinate. These three schools were recognized out of a pool of 300 entries for their work in designing creative and useful Web sites. The schools were rewarded with prize money and software donations for their educational needs.
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“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
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