[WATCH] Microsoft to offer students free software training

Microsoft to offer students free software training

Microsoft will grant free basic software training to all students in Malta, before eventually rolling out the offer to all Maltese citizens. The courses will include fundamentals in software development, HTML5 app development, security and cloud-based technology. The deal is part of a €12.5 million contract extension signed between Microsoft and the government's IT agency MITA that will run till 2021.

"The government is committed to investing in cutting-edge IT and technology," competitiveness minister Manuel Mallia said at a press conference held to commemorate the signing of the contract extension. "We believe in educating our children, as education is the foundation of progress and the improvement of society."

The deal will also see Microsoft provide 17,500 workstation licenses to the public service, free software and cloud services for 20 start-ups, ongoing start-up mentoring, and assistance on government's digital strategies. Microsoft will also organise mobile app development training camps and 'hackaton' competitions for app developers.