Microsoft to Provide Educational Opportunities for 500,000 Students and Trainees in Morocco Via the Cloud and New IT Academies

REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Morocco's Office of Vocational Training and Employment Promotion (OFPPT), a public training institution that offers vocational education across 35 fields of study via 327 training institutes across Morocco, has chosen Microsoft Office 365 to help enhance its education and vocational training solutions. In addition, OFPPT will work with Microsoft Corp. to create 100 new Microsoft IT Academies across the country. This strategic partnership is designed to transform education and enable OFPPT to continue its mission to offer quality training that aligns with the needs of young Moroccans and the regional economy.

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"The approach we've taken with Microsoft is a model of public and private partnership for advanced professional training in the ICT sector," said Larbi Bencheikh, general director, OFPPT. "The use of new technologies will actively contribute to human development, as well as support the growth of the national economy and ongoing infrastructure projects through effective, efficient and proven Microsoft solutions."

Extending Adult Education

Founded in 1974, OFPPT manages vocational training centers across Morocco and provides diversified services, such as seminars and technical courses, training via mobile units, remote learning, intensive adult training, functional literacy courses, and evening classes. Along with adding 500,000 users to the Office 365 cloud solution, OFPPT and Microsoft will create 100 new IT Academies, including some in the midst of prisons around Morocco.

In addition, the partnership with Microsoft is expected to lead to 60,000 Microsoft Office Specialist and Microsoft Certified Professional certifications over the next three years for OFPPT's trainers.

Office 365 will deliver the power of cloud productivity to OFPPT institutions, helping to save time and money while increasing student and faculty productivity. In addition, one of the major factors in the decision to choose Office 365 was Microsoft's comprehensive commitment to quality products and programs, as well as the system's seamless interoperation with the entire Microsoft product portfolio.

"These new deployments of Office 365 will give OFPPT trainees the best and most up-to-date tools to be competitive in the workplace," said Samir Benmakhlouf, country manager for Microsoft Morocco. "In addition, the new IT Academies will provide opportunities for people to develop the necessary skills to be successful in the 21st century."

More information about how organizations are turning to Microsoft technology is available on the Microsoft Customer Spotlight newsroom.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.