Microsoft has concluded an agreement with the Ministry of Education and Sports and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications in Vientiane yesterday to provide more than 2,500 free online courses to Lao students.
An agreement was inked between General Manager for New Markets in Microsoft Asia Pacific, Michele Simmons, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Dr Thansamay Kommasith and Minister of Education and Sports Ms Sengdeuane Lachanthaboun, witnessed by US Ambassador to Laos Daniel A. Clune.
The project will help local students and enterprises be able to reach the various training courses via cloud technology developed by Microsoft. There are many subjects available for prospective students to study, including technology, engineering, accounting and English.
The training is to be provided, free of charge, to young Lao people to help them develop the skills and knowledge they need to compete in an increasingly connected Asean community.
According to Microsoft, over the last few years more than 26 million young people have taken similar courses, which are already available in some 18 countries.
The agreement is the US Trade and Development Agency’s first grant within Laos, and is emblematic of the growing bilateral relationship.
President Barack Obama’s three-day state visit to Laos will showcase the expanding economic ties, as well as many other areas of growing collaboration between the United States and the Lao PDR.
Source: Vientiane Times
