This was announced by visiting vice-president of Microsoft for the Middle East and Africa Emre Berkin while addressing a press conference here on Tuesday after singing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for "Partners in Learning" programme.
Federal Education Minister Zubaida Jalal was also present on the occasion.
Emre Berkin said that environment for investment in Pakistan is very conducive. This country has strategic importance for us and it has apparent vision to become an IT producer, he said, adding, hopefully, Microsoft is capable to turn this vision into reality.
He observed that Pakistan is rapidly becoming a commercial hub for software development, saying, environment in Pakistan is safe and secure for foreign investment.
After signing the MoU, he said that Microsoft has embarked upon very important journey today with the ministry of education for the closing of digital divide and promotion of IT skills and training
among the common people of Pakistan.
Briefing journalists, Education Minister Zubaida Jalal said that her ministry with the help of Microsoft would expand IT promotion programme to far-flung areas to inculcate (aptitude for IT skills) in children of lower income groups.
We have spent over Rs 1.8 billion for the promotion of information technology and provision of internet services to about 1900 remote villages in the last three years, she said, adding that the government is planning to establish about five IT academies throughout the country.
Regarding reforms in religious seminaries, Zubaida Jalal said that teachers would also be trained to educate students of these institutions about the IT know-how under "Partners in Learning" programme.
She announced that the education ministry has signed a MoU with the Microsoft's "Partners in Learning" programme, which will offer resources for skills training in ICT for teachers and students in Pakistan through June 2008.
"Microsoft has a responsibility to help make technology more accessible and affordable to students, teachers, and school administrators. We are truly excited about this partnership with the ministry of education in Pakistan" Emre Berkin said.
"We look forward to designing a local partner in learning programme with the ministry and to providing a sustained investment in technology and training to help students and teachers in Pakistan", he added.
Responding to a query, Zubaida Jalal said that her ministry is not bound to purchase hardware or other equipment from Microsoft under this agreement.
'Education is one of the key drivers to establishing a solid platform for socio-economic growth in Pakistan, and we are pleased to welcome Microsoft's support and expertise to roll out this initiative in the country," she said.
"We are committed to equipping our students with the knowledge and education to utilise latest technologies to build a dynamic workforce for the future."
The "Partners in Learning" programme will provide resources over the next five years to deliver skills training, technical support, and broader access to technology to empower students and teachers in Pakistan.
The programme supports Microsoft's long-term commitment to bolster ICT skills for students, educators and school leaders with a vision of forming a community of skilled innovators.
Employing a systemic and comprehensive approach to the challenge of empowering students and teachers, 'Partners in Learning' provides an investment of resources to deliver technology skills training to students, teachers and school administrators and to assist in ICT integration into curricula and learning.
Emre Berkin in response to a question said that Microsoft would donate personal computers (PCs) to primary and secondary-level government schools.
Recognising this, the fresh start programme will help schools make maximum use of donated computers, promoting increased access for students through wider deployment of PCs in classrooms, he further said.