Bill Gates Officially Opens Microsoft Knowledge Capital Centre
MKCC and MMU partnership reinforces commitment to MSC
CYBERJAYA, Malaysia, Sept. 13, 2000 — Microsoft Corporation Chairman and Chief Software Architect, Bill Gates, opened the new office of Microsoft Knowledge Capital Centre Sdn Bhd (MKCC), the MSC-status company of Microsoft Corporation. The opening of MKCC marked a milestone for Microsoft, as the company celebrates its 25 th anniversary this year.
MKCC represents Microsoft’s commitment to work with government and local industry to build a pool of local software developers and knowledge workers to meet the challenges of Malaysia’s new economy.
”
As a software developer myself, I’m particularly excited at the potential of Microsoft Knowledge Capital Centre.
“Microsoft Knowledge Capital Centre represents a significant commitment from Microsoft because it reinforces our partnership with local industry to develop, transfer skills and knowledge to cultivate a large pool of knowledge workers, software developers and IT professionals that will drive the knowledge economy from the MSC,”
said Gates.
According to Gates, Malaysia took a bold step with the implementation of the MSC four years ago to propel the country into the information age. The move to Cyberjaya is a further indication that Microsoft clearly supports the Malaysian government’s vision.
Beyond building the software developer community, MKCC will also provide value-added training and services to local software companies in order to help them commercialise and market their applications in Malaysia and globally.
MKCC implements on-going programmes for developers and IT professionals, including seminars and conferences, through the year. These programmes span the cradle-to-market cycle, and includes consultancy services on product packaging, testing, commercialisation and distribution processes.
To further demonstrate the company’s commitment, MKCC and Multimedia University (MMU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in which MKCC will sponsor training and development facilities and programmes, valued at RM10 million over the next five years. For the first phase of the partnership , MKCC will invest approximately RM2.5 million in the sponsorship.
The sponsorship includes: one Windows DNA lab; one software engineering lab; scholarships for outstanding software engineering students; ‘Skills 2000’ initiative under Microsoft’s Academic Authorised Training Programme; and consultations with visiting technology experts through specially organised lectures.
“Building a pool of software developers to meet the needs of Malaysia’s digital economy starts with education. We need to accelerate the transfer of skills and knowledge to students and teachers, so that they can enhance their core competencies for today’s Internet economy,”
said Gates.
Since its inception, MKCC has reached more than 6,000 software developers and IT professionals through various fora. MKCC has also helped local companies to showcase their solutions and applications in foreign markets.
Participating in the official opening of MKCC was Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Othman Yeop Abdullah, Executive Chairman, Multimedia Development Corporation Sdn Bhd. Tan Sri Othman also witnessed the MoU signing ceremony between Microsoft and MMU.
Signing on behalf of MMU was its President, Dr Ghauth Jasmon, with Professor Lee Poh Aun, Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology, acting as witness. Gates signed on behalf of Microsoft, witnessed by Butt Wai Choon, Managing Director, Microsoft Malaysia.
About Microsoft Knowledge Capital Centre
Microsoft Knowledge Capital Centre Sdn Bhd (MKCC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation, is a resource centre providing end-to-end services for software developers, independent software vendors (ISVs), and Malaysian businesses. The MKCC comprises three main functions — Developer Programs, Technology Deployment and Business Application Scenarios.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd is a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation and was incorporated on July 8, 1992.
Microsoft and its worldwide enterprise partners deliver a total solution: integrated platforms, powerful business applications and comprehensive global services that drive the success of its enterprise customers. Large organisations can work directly with Microsoft or choose among the many highly qualified Microsoft enterprise partners to implement solutions based on Microsoft enterprise products. More than 13,000 customers in 45 countries are realizing significant business value and competitive advantage from Microsoft worldwide enterprise solutions.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
# # #
Microsoft, BackOffice and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Media enquiries:
Microsoft (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
-
Chin Tih Tih, Public Relations & Events Manager (03) 769-3118, [email protected]
-
Rii Burson-Marsteller (03) 2161-7900
-
Karen Hoh, ext 22, [email protected]
Note to editors:
If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. You can also obtain local information from http://www.microsoft.com/malaysia/ .