The New Nation - Internet Edition

Business Report

Grameenphone Ltd. partnered with Microsoft to use Microsoft Digital Literacy Curriculum in order to increase IT literacy among the rural people across the country. The agreement was signed at the GP head office in Gulshan on Wednesday.

The Digital Literacy Curriculum a unique e-learning module which will educate people on relevant IT skills such as basic computer skills; accessing the internet and world wide web; using productivity applications; understanding computer security and privacy; and leading a digital lifestyle.

All the contents will be in Bengali and is targeted towards the rural students, unemployed youth and women. The curriculum will be disseminated through the over 500 Grameenphone Community Information Centers (GPCIC), and other vehicles of GP CSR initiatives (Info Boat, Alok deep and other educational institutions) located across the country.

Sandi Thomas, General Manager, Communication Sector, Microsoft Asia Pacific, and Feroz Mahmud, Country Manager, Microsoft Bangladesh were present from Microsoft while Grameenphone CEO, Oddvar Hesjedal and Chief Marketing Officer, Arild Kaale. Kazi Monirul Kabir, Chief Communications Officer and Odd-Egil Aasen, Director, Internet Services, Commercial Division of Grameenphone were also present on the occasion.

In the agreement between GP and Microsoft, Microsoft will be the licensor, GP will be the Licensee and CICs & other CSR initiatives (Info boat, Alok Deeps & educational institutions) will be the authorized centers.

Microsoft is providing this digital literacy curriculum including examination free of cost for this initiative. Under the terms of the agreement Microsoft will provide licensed e-Iearning content to each authorized GPCIC, Alok Deep (non-formal school-cum-cyclone shelters), Information Boat (Tothya Tori) and educational institution.

Through e-Iearning, users will be able to access and learn through online digital , literacy resources with the provision for online assessment tests through the GPCIC website. The assessment modules will be certificate tests and successful candidates will be presented with a certificate of their achievement.

Grameenphone strives to deliver information and communication based services in rural community for socio-economic development.