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Microsoft Awards RM1.7 Million in Grants to NGOs
KUALA LUMPUR, 3 August 2010 – Microsoft Malaysia announced today RM1.7 million in cash and software donations to three non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Malaysia. These grants will support NGOs to deliver technology skills and training through a network of more than 29 community technology learning centers, benefitting more than 20,000 people, by providing jobs and opportunities
The Young Women’s Christian Association (YMCA) and Yayasan Salam Malaysia (YSM) were both awarded the Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential – Community Technology Skills Program (UP-CTSP), which will help provide people across Malaysia with the opportunity to learn basic computing and technology skills with the aim to develop entrepreneurial or community employment opportunities.
Jasmine Begum, Legal and Corporate Affairs Director, Microsoft Malaysia said, “The combination of technology and education is a proven and powerful way to stimulate workforce development and create social and economic opportunity. As a leader in the IT industry, Microsoft has the opportunity to combine access to our technology with social investments to get training and skills into the hands of those who need it most. While technology is creating pathways to success, far too many people are detoured because large gaps exist between them and technology resources and training.”
Among the initiatives supported by grants are programmes aimed at equipping these communities with IT skills, as well as several programmes targeted at the long-term unemployed, youth and women.
“In the current economic climate, understanding how technology can help you start or grow your business, or simply having the basic technology skills to secure employment is critical. It can literally be the point of difference that gets our trainess a job or inspire them to create their own opportunity. To bridge this digital divide, we are providing individuals with the tools and resources that can help them discover their futures and, ultimately, to accomplish great things,” said Begum.
Receiving the UP Grant on behalf of Yayasan Salam Malaysia (YSM) was its Chief Operation Officer Md. Ghani Ibrahim, who works with underserved women and youth, improving employability and encouraging entrepreneurship. “We are very grateful for this UP Grant that Microsoft Malaysia is awarding us. This would go a long way in funding our activities to train these underserved women, which will later provide them with job opportunities with specific project partners or become entrepreneurs. It’s a sense of fulfillment knowing that these youths will be able to venture into targeted IT businesses to help develop the communities in which they live”, said Ghani.
 Pictured here at the Microsoft Unlimited Potential Grant Award Ceremony was (from L-R): Ir. Amran Mahzan, Honorary Treasurer, Mercy Malaysia, Dr. Marina David, President, Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), Jasmine Begum, Legal and Corporate Affairs Director, Microsoft Malaysia and En. Md. Ghani Ibrahim, Chief Operation Officer, Yayasan Salam Malaysia.
The President of Young Women’s Christian Organization (YWCA), Dr Marina David, received the UP Grant on behalf of the association which aims to develop young women by providing them with skills training which will improve their employability potential. “YWCA has proven a track record for assisting their vocational training graduates in finding jobs, with a job placement target of 60-80%. The Microsoft UP Grant will enable us to continue training women and girls on ICT, be it computer usage or getting them excited in the Internet. Our mission is to promote self-worth, dignity, self-determination and leadership amongst women and girls, and being technologically-empowered is a key ingredient in this day and age," said David.
During the ceremony, Microsoft Malaysia also awarded Mercy Malaysia with the Large Software Grant (LSG) to enhance its relief efforts, making it faster and more efficient through the use of ICT, which would be able to match volunteers to the types of relief work on the ground.
Present on behalf of Mercy Malaysia to receive the grant was its Honorary Treasurer Ir. Amran Mahzan, who said, “In our relief efforts, being swift and efficient is very crucial. Therefore, the software grant that Microsoft is awarding Mercy Malaysia, would increase efficiency through the use of ICT. Mercy Malaysia lauds Microsoft Malaysia’s initiatives and we urge more corporations to come forth to support NGOs in their causes.”
At the ceremony, Jasmine Begum also presented a contribution from Microsoft Malaysia to Deborah Henry, co-founder of the Save Education Centre, a charity organization for Somali refugee children in Kuala Lumpur.
Since the Microsoft UP program was launched in 2004, communities across Malaysia have benefitted from the computing skills programs through these grants. Microsoft Malaysia supports NGOs focused on employability and workforce development. Many of these partners operate community technology centers (CTCs) which are found in various locations.
In Malaysia, there are close to 30 CTCs which provide people of all ages and abilities free or low-cost access to resources that enable them to learn about computers, use the Internet, explore new careers, further their education, participate in community activities and develop job-related technology skills.
Past recipients of the UP Grants include the National Council of Women’s Organizations (NCWO) and eHomemakers.
MERCY Malaysia received the HAP (Humanitarian Accountability Partnership) certification in 2007 and subsequently revamped or introduced methods and processes in order to be truly accountable to donors, partners and beneficiaries.
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