Students, teachers, to benefit from new government-Microsoft deal
Five-year strategic partnership valued at €26.8m
Adrianna Zammit, Country Manager at Microsoft Malta, announcing the new partnership between Microsoft and the government.
The government and Microsoft Corporation have signed a five-year, €26.8 million strategic partnership agreement which includes enterprise licences, educational initiatives and the setting up of a Microsoft Innovation Centre in Malta that will be the first in the world to focus on Cloud Computing.
The Innovation Centre will be set up in 2012 by Microsoft and its partners, with a seed investment of more than €3 million over five years.
"The goal of the innovation centre is to stimulate a strong ICT skills base in Cloud Computing and the development of Cloud Computing Solutions and Services that can be marketed locally and beyond our shores," the Ministry of the Infrastructure, which is also responsible for IT, said.
It said the Enterprise Agreement will bring about a reduction of 12% in annual licensing costs for the government. The enterprise-wide licences for Windows 7 will translate in higher productivity, improved security and stability and access to enhanced desktop features such as user interface, mobility and communication and remote management.
A School Agreement covers all the licenses required for Microsoft Windows operating system and Office software for 28,000 users in state primary and secondary schools, including students, teachers and administration. Through this agreement, the government will save 27% in annual licensing costs.
STUDENT SOFTWARE OFFER
The ministry said the new partnership features a student software offer, Live@Edu and DreamSpark.
Maltese students and teachers who attend or teach in state and non-state schools from kindergarten level to University will be able to acquire Windows 7 Professional Upgrade and Office Professional 2010 for €79.79, 86% cheaper than the current market price. Registrations from students and teachers to purchase the software will be accepted online and are expected to open in September 2011.
Live@Edu will provide free access to cloud hosted online services for local students who will be able to benefit from free hosted email (Outlook Live), free online storage (Skydrive) and make use of Office web apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote.
DreamSpark will offer post-secondary and tertiary students free access to professional Microsoft developer, designer and gaming software such as Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Developer, Visual Studio and Expression Studio. These software development tools, which usually have a price tag of approximately €1,500, will be available for free for local educational institutions for the benefit of students and teachers.
IT Minister Austin Gatt said that the relationship between the government and Microsoft, established a decade ago, was not only built on a commercial premise but above all, was intended to have spill-over benefits through value added initiatives for the wider society and economy.
Various Microsoft related initiatives had been launched over the past 10 years, including student software offers, the Microsoft Academies at the University of Malta and the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), ICT training for teachers, the opportunity given to local students to participate in the global Imagine Cup Competition and others.
"Establishing strategic partnerships with the likes of Microsoft, and similar multinational companies have been vital in the improvement of Malta's ranking in international benchmarks which has improved in various fronts year on year and has placed Malta on the ICT map," added Dr Gatt.
"If we want the local ICT industry to flourish and remain competitive, we must widen the choice of education and training opportunities available locally. Over recent years, the Cloud has proven to be an undisputable commercial success and will continue to play an important role in the ICT domain for the next 10 years or more. Thanks to the Microsoft Innovation Centre, we will be able to build a strong local skills-base in cloud computing and related technologies," concluded Minister Gatt.
MITA Chairman Claudio Grech, said the Student Software Offer is expected to attract some 20,000 students and teachers for a total value of €10 million. Additionally, the Live@Edu programme is expected to be extended to some 40,000 students and teachers over 5 years, will equate to approximately €4.8 million.
DreamSpark is expected to be extended to approximately 6,000 students and teachers over 5 years and will equate to a value of €9 million, bringing the total educational value to €23.8 million.
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Charles Sammut
Jul 13th 2011, 01:11
but why is it....that the minister for everything continues to be minister for everything??!??..especially when it involves so many millions of Euros eh....??
What can I say???..not much.....
....and the beat goes on...and the beat goes on.........
Vincent Bezzina
Jul 12th 2011, 23:32
ICON does well from Microsoft for one. Also i don't recall Microsoft selling software directly in Malta - so off course there are middle men who will also do well out of this - and it so happens they are close to PN.
Is this a Monopoly that goes in the face of EU regulations. Make your own conclusions - have we changed the education system in Malta to the benefit of Microsoft. Does MITA reformat any computers - say at local councils which may have - say linux? Is there any public awareness of alternatives to Microsoft? Do government contract specifically required that the solution is built on Microsoft ? Do the PN linked companies that get the majority of government contracts work exclusively with Microsoft ?
Some more food for thought - are these clowns dressing up expenditure of tax payers money as some big achievement we should be all proud off? We are mostly buying the products of another country and consuming them - not exactly a major achievement. Microsoft would supply every chimpanzee on the planet with a copy of their software - if someone paid the bill.
What about other countries - you know, real countries in the free world. Did they also sign these agreements ?
MALCOLM SEYCHELL
Jul 12th 2011, 23:20
You can buy a laptop with original Windows 7 for around Euro 500. According to this article Windows 7 costs around 400 euro on its own.
xi hsibtu li ghanda fi zmien il flingstones........ u hadd ma jifhem xejn u tbellaw kollox lill kullhadd.
Waste of money, time and resources.
Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO
Jul 12th 2011, 20:48
Well done to all concerned. The first agreement with Microsoft had brought great benefits to our educational system and allowed us to expose our students to some of the leading edge best of current technology software products. Let us hope that we exploit the new agreement to its full for there is within the Microsoft range of products enough teaching and learning material to allow any dedicated student to become a full professional in a whole wide spectrum of specialist ICT areas . This second follow up initiative creates great opportunities both locally and internationally for our young people in highly paid careers in ICT. Besides this within the microsoft academy which functions like an online university educators can find some of the very latest and best ICT educational material. Unfortunately many who bought the previous educational packages only used them at a superficial level without taking full advantage of having virtually for free some of the best development and operational software. Let us hope that this time round educators and student realise what a great treasure of marketable knowledge they can avail of for virtually free use. I have always found Microsoft very willing and eager to help us launch new courses and in providing teaching staff with the necessary initial training . Microsoft were instrumental in allowing us amongst other things to start Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) courses and many students managed to find immediate good employment in this area thanks to the good office of Microsoft.
Mr Luca Pellegrino
Jul 12th 2011, 18:51
Usually from this big agreement somebody will put money is his pocket and other people (us) will pay in taxes.
With 28 million euro the government could create more jobs for people who needs or still don't have a job.
Mr Mark Cassar
Jul 13th 2011, 07:23
are you serious? or just kidding? Is it possible that in ANYTHING we should find people grumbling or suspecting?!
Why just don't you thank God that our students can benefit from advantages like these,with which to improve their daily life, and maybe their future...when years ago someone in Malta said that "computers are useless"?
Alfredo Agius
Jul 12th 2011, 18:50
Unbelievable. Really unbelievable.
You get offered Windows 7 and Office 2010 *PROFESSIONAL* for under €80, and the best you can do is complain, and accuse of monopoly.
Be grateful for once. Office 2010 Pro alone costs 100's.
B. Pollacco
Jul 12th 2011, 20:49
xtamel :/ gemgem is part of our culture
Mr Melvin Caruana
Jul 12th 2011, 23:31
din mhi xejn hlief marketing min naha tal microsoft u mhemx ghalfejn tifrah ghax microsoft software komparat ma os ohrajn bazwi dan huwa metodu kif il microsoft igiel in nies juzaw il prodotti taghha flok juzaw ohrajn biex imbghad persuna flindustrija jkollu juza is software taghha u jhallas eluf ta euros per year ghal licenzja tal prodott.
Geoffrey Said
Jul 13th 2011, 07:51
You get offered Linux + OpenOffice/LibreOffice + a lot of free software for under €0 and you still buy Microsoft?
That is what is unbelievable. The truth is that the government is dragging his feet with regards to Open Source. See how Firefox and Chrome are performing in the browser market, especially in Europe where Internet Explorer has lost its dominant position.
Alfredo Agius
Jul 13th 2011, 08:52
As much as I support opensource, and the GNU cause, I also realise (unlike some people) when a product is good and warrants some merits. As much as it's expensive, you cannot deny that Office is damn good tool, unlike OpenOffice which is constantly plaguing me with compatibility problems.
Mr Mario P. Sciberras
Jul 12th 2011, 18:38
Is this a productive investment or just a case of Microsoft selling more of their products in Malta? I find all this jargon very confusing.
How many people are they going to employ, how much of their money are they investing, what is the expected figure for exports and how much subsidy are they receiving from the government?
Michael Magri
Jul 12th 2011, 18:29
Kurzita.. Is Microsaft represented in Malta by any maltese holding company..??
Joe Fenech
Jul 12th 2011, 18:28
Mr Claudio Smart City is still hanging around?
In Malta, you fail and you get another high profile job! Who knows why?
Godfrey Massa
Jul 12th 2011, 18:26
It is better if Microsoft first accepts Malta in XBOX LIVE.
Malta is in the EU but unfortunately all Maltese people that want to use XBOX LIVE by MIcrosoft need to register under another country as Malta does not exist for Microsoft !!!! Start from little steps than grow up....
Joseph Laus
Jul 12th 2011, 18:20
Jaqaw irid jigbor unuru Austin Gatt wara il Gaffe tal -ARRIVA....adesso troppo tardi Signor Gatto...See you at the election.....
Mark Cassar
Jul 12th 2011, 19:36
ignorance is bliss... Dr Gatt has done more good then you'll ever do in your petty moaning life!
Ms Sandra Cachia
Jul 13th 2011, 09:43
Mr Laus you know that if J.M. had win next election he will find most problems solved. Thanks to Ausrtin Gatt (a man with guts)
Carmel Xuereb
Jul 12th 2011, 18:02
Id-deni ta' l-elezzjoni beda jidher u dan il-Ministru mhux se jerga johrog mela kieku x'jaghmel izjed? Il-brakewater ta' Marslalforn halli x'hin jirtira u jitla sa Ghawdex u jmur jixxampla gewwa Marsalfon fix-xitwa l-maltemp ma ma jtelfux?
Mark Cassar
Jul 12th 2011, 19:38
il-kumment tieghek haqqu midalja ta' l-injoranza
Melvin Tonna
Jul 12th 2011, 20:39
L-aqwa li kollox politika hux Carmel?
Maaaa dal-pajjiz kif qed imut b'nies bhalek!
Christian Sciberras
Jul 12th 2011, 22:14
Mark Cassar - Kieku jien kont intih tnejn..
Mr G Mangion
Jul 12th 2011, 17:48
Dont worry Mr Mike Farrugia what you are Smelling is The Freandly VIRUS of Microsoft deal !!!
you need a much more bigger Nose to Smell the Elections :)
M .Mangion
Mr Jo Camm
Jul 12th 2011, 18:17
Why doesn't the Government stop working, half-way, between one election and the other? Otherwise they will tag him as preparing for the forthcoming election.
That is what KMB did. He did not employ ANYONE a few days before the 1987 election.
Steven Camilleri
Jul 12th 2011, 17:38
About time, Windows 7 has been released more than a year now, pff Malta is really outdated, at least it's making progress.
Melvin Tonna
Jul 12th 2011, 20:37
Hareg xi haga ohra wara Windows 7 sur Camilleri? Le hux? Mela allura mahniex outdated! Kemm teqirdu!
John Sant
Jul 12th 2011, 22:44
for your information an offer regarding Windows 7 was already made previously for a limited ammount of time for students
Darren Fava
Jul 12th 2011, 23:30
xandu x'jaqsam?? jekk ridt tixtri is software missek qbadt u xtrajtu minn go hanut. kulhadd kien qed ibieghu. Ukoll, il gvern ilu sena joffri il windows 7 ghal prezz ta 79 euros...qabel titkellem kun af xinhu jigri madwarek habib lol
cheers
j brincat
Jul 12th 2011, 17:38
Is this the same like the Smart City which was so much in focus before the 2008 elections? We had Smart Malta, Smart this and Smart that. We had everything Smart, except the Government which promised heaven on earth and paid us back by making us pay the the highest ever utility bills, the highest cost for gas cylinders, petrol, diesel etc... We had also the highest ever weekly increase given to any one person. But to qualify you had either to be a prim minister, mister or parliamentary secretary The common people received a Smart 1.16 weekly.
I would have thought the the elections were round the corner. But Dr Gatt is not contesting the coming elections, or so he said!
(jb)
Mark Cassar
Jul 12th 2011, 19:45
oh my oh my... these are really dark times... please lets elect PL so we can see the light again... we are all starving.. nobody goes out to restaurants anymore.. nobody spends money... nobody goes abroad any longer...
for the light headed... i'm being sarcastic... stop making the world sound bad. we all living a good life here! we've had the good and the bad like in every other country around the world! if you think there are only roses abroad, you should pack up and LEAVE!
and btw.. this is a news item on Govt and Microsoft deal!
Mr robert micallef
Jul 12th 2011, 17:30
em this is the same minister responsible for TM right ?
L Brincat
Jul 12th 2011, 17:30
Aren't Live Mail, SkyDrive (25Gb) and Web Apps already given to everyone in the world for free?
Mr Mike Farrugia
Jul 12th 2011, 16:46
Do I smell elections fever?
A Zammit
Jul 12th 2011, 17:06
X'qerda ta'nies....issa jekk xi hadd jiftah xi drainage imblukkat se jibda jxomm l-elezzjoni.
Joseph Farrugia
Jul 12th 2011, 17:08
no, you smell Micro$oft Monopoly........
Mr Joe Micallef
Jul 12th 2011, 17:12
Congrats! You must have the smelling ability of a bear given that there is more then two years to go.
Maybe you can help MEPA determine once and for all what that black dust is all about - Come on make yourself useful!
Mr Dominic Zammit
Jul 12th 2011, 17:17
Miskin int ghax ma tridx tara min ikber fi taghlim
E Gatt
Jul 12th 2011, 17:21
Why? Government reforms and projects have been in full swing from day 1.
D. Xerri
Jul 12th 2011, 17:27
Could be or could be not BUT DEFINATELY the Next Upcoming Budget will give the Real Answer - Maybe a nice wage increase - maybe the Income Tax Fix - and some add-ons as usual nice predictions, nice promises and so many high-hopes - Were born and raised that way the maltese now - Only to Find out that things do drastically change when the election is over !
Liam Caruana
Jul 12th 2011, 17:27
Ghaliex kull haga li jaghmel il-gvern hi kemm hi tajba dejjem ideffsu l-elezzjoni fin-nofs?
Mark Cassar
Jul 12th 2011, 17:46
No.. i thinks its more a smell of good work being done by the Government.
Martin Borg
Jul 12th 2011, 17:58
No Mr. Farrugia, you smell Microsoft revamping the previous contracts they had in a bid to avoid the Maltese Government leaning towards the "cheaper" open source industry, comptetiors (read arch-enemies) of Microsoft. Nothing political. This is too small and too early to be election fever, and in my opinion will not win the government mnore than a handful (quite literally) of votes of people who are easily blinded. Not so many of those around any longer as one might think...
Wilfred Camilleri
Jul 12th 2011, 18:23
Never look a gift horse in the mouth! But certain Maltese people will never learn. Someone gives them something free to really cheap and they have to complain about it. Me thinks that many Maltese people know only how to complain and bitch about anything and everything!
Ms Sandra Cachia
Jul 12th 2011, 19:21
Why? Is It next month
Mr J Tonna
Jul 12th 2011, 22:14
Mike PN will win next elections which would mean almost 30 years in power. Does it tell you something about Labour?