ICT learning centres in Microsoft upgrade

Microsoft Malta has announced an investment of $85,000 to upgrade 140 computers with the latest software in community technology centres across the islands.

The company is also spending a further $40,000 to translate its educational programme Digital Literacy Curriculum into Maltese.

Microsoft Europe chairman Jan Muehlfelt said businesses were increasingly dependent on ICT and, within the next few years, 90 per cent of jobs would require computer skills of some sort.

"It's like a pyramid: at the bottom you'll have people knowing how to use technology and the further you go up the pyramid the more advanced and specialised your ICT skills are," Mr Muehlfelt said.

The digital literacy programme is not just about teaching people how to use computer applications, the Microsoft Citizenship manager for Malta, Fiorella Ellul Sullivan said. "In the programme, we try to bridge the digital divide by showing people how to use everything digital - be it a phone, an ATM or a petrol machine".

The upgrade from Windows XP to the latest version will require better hardware and the Malta Communications Authority will be upgrading the computers at the learning centres to keep up with current software.