DUBAI, 28 January 2008 — Microsoft Corporation will partner with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Foundation to provide the technology that will support the latter in its efforts to act as a knowledge hub in the Arab world.
Bill Gates, founder and chairman of Microsoft Corporation and Mohammed Al-Gergawi, chairman of the board, Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Foundation, yesterday signed a strategic agreement in Dubai to launch the Arab Education and Research Network, a first-ever knowledge portal in the Arab world.
This technology will boost the region’s capabilities and serve as a gateway to world-class knowledge, providing the right platform to encourage researchers and faculties contributing to the Arab knowledge development.
Microsoft will support the foundation’s objectives by designing and implementing a state-of-the-art technology platform that enables collaborative research and knowledge creation in the Arab world.
Launched with an endowment of $10 billion, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Foundation works on promoting human development and exploring development opportunities in the Arab world by investing in education and knowledge creation.
“We live in an age where information technology is providing people with powerful tools for creating new social and economic opportunities,” Gates said.
Speaking at the Build People Ready Businesses ’08 event which was held at the Emirates Towers Hotel, Gates said there was a great deal of opportunity in the emirate “as investment in education takes place” here.