Extends the Skype-a-Thon experience to more students around the world with new tools and content
India, October 4, 2019: Microsoft India today announced that the 5th edition of Global Learning Connection (formerly called Skype-a-Thon). The biggest global learning event of the year will be held on November 5 and 6. Through this non-stop 48-hour event, this year Microsoft will enable students, educators and experts to connect from around the world using a variety of tools, viz., Skype, Teams and Flipgrid. Continuing its theme of ‘Open Hearts. Open Minds’ this year, Microsoft aims to connect an estimated half-a-million students from over 110 countries to empower the sharing of ideas and knowledge, the ultimate goal is to travel over 17 million virtual miles. The India miles will be inaugurated by Anant Maheshwari, President, Microsoft India.
How to take part in Microsoft’s Global Learning Connection
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Microsoft has a vision to leverage technology to bring classrooms out of the physical boundaries and provide students with a holistic approach across the globe. This will allow students to go on virtual field trips, experience new cultures, hear from guest speakers and learn from other students, educators and experts from around the world by travelling virtual miles. It will unite and introduce students to the diversified culture and experiences from around different corners of the globe, helping them develop empathy and compassion for others. Moreover, it will bring educator experts from different platforms and zones to interact with the students through engaging activities and programs.
Schools located anywhere in India can join the Microsoft’s global connection event through a simple online registration process.
Speaking on this, Manish Prakash, Country General Manager – Public Sector, Education and Healthcare, Microsoft said, “We started this initiative in 2014 by connecting students and experts from around the world to communicate and discuss real-world topics. Through this year’s Global Learning Connection, we are bringing in more opportunities for more students to enable them to exchange ideas that can make a real difference in the world. By expanding the walls of the classroom, we are enabling students to gain diverse perspectives and discuss real-world topics with others worldwide. We eagerly look forward to this event and hope to continue to bring upon a positive change in the students’ lives through technology.”
In 2018, the event saw students and educators participating from 102 countries around the world, travelling over 23 million virtual miles. India covered 4.26 million virtual miles, the most by any participating country; witnessing participation from 11,000 students from over 300 schools.
About Microsoft India
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @Microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Microsoft set up its India operations in 1990. Today, Microsoft entities in India have over 9,000 employees, engaged in sales and marketing, research and development and customer services and support, across 11 Indian cities – Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, New Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune. Microsoft offers its global cloud services from local datacenters to accelerate digital transformation across Indian start-ups, businesses, and government agencies. In 2016, Microsoft opened one of its eight Cyber Security Engagement Centers in the country, to address security needs of both public and private sectors.
