Microsoft specially tailored the worldwide curriculum:

USAID partners with Microsoft to unleash potential in IT

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) is partnering with Microsoft to introduce a new training curriculum developed with the assistance of the American information technology giant for four key sectors of the Sri Lankan economy.

USAID and Microsoft are co-financing the $236,000 project, which will be implemented by InfoShare, a non-profit firm that develops IT solutions to non-profit development organizations.

Microsoft specially tailored the worldwide curriculum, known as Unlimited Potential, to boost Sri Lanka’s agriculture apparel tourism, and media/journalism sectors using IT.

“The forging of such public-private partnership is a cornerstone of USAID’s program here,” said USAID/Sri Lanka Mission Director Rebecca Cohn. “USAID’s goal of working towards a more prosperous and peaceful Sri Lankan cannot be achieved without the support and collaboration with partners dedicated to improving the skills and employability of youth.”

The ambitious programme will train at least 11,000 people, and provide scholarships to 2,000 needy students, many in the North Central and Eastern provinces, Ms. Cohn said.

In partnership with Microsoft, InforShare has already begun to train about 110 instructors to teach the courses, which will be offered through various training organizations under the auspices of the Vocational Training Authority and private sector institutions.

“So much has happened in the area of information technology in the region with tremendously positive results,” said Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne of Microsoft. “We want to take on a bigger role in helping Sri Lanka access a bigger piece of this extremely beneficial pie.”

Ms. Cohn added that Unlimited Potential represents an important step to ensure Sri Lankan firms become and remain competitive in the international marketplace by ensuring that the workforce has the necessary skills in information technology.

“Modern information and communications technologies provide some enormously powerful tools for small and medium-sized businesses,” said Anuruddha Edirisinghe of InfoShare.

“This IT curriculum, tailored to the needs of the four industries, will help them realize the full potential of their workforce and at the same time increase the employability of rural youth.” he said.