Microsoft Malaysia concluded its Philanthropy Week

(6th from left) Yang Berhormat Dato’ P Kamalanathan, Deputy Minister of Education, pictured with Microsoft employees and students from the Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus

Last week, Microsoft Malaysia concluded its Philanthropy Week in Taylor's University Lakeside Campus with YouthSpark Live, which was organized in partnership with Yayasan Geenrasi Gemilang - Microsoft's partner NGO that works develop youths to equip them with skills to boost their employability.

YouthSpark Live was officiated by Yang Berhormat Dato’ P Kamalanathan, Deputy Minister of Education, who explained the importance of initiatives like YouthSpark in tandem with the country’s efforts to create a globally competitive workforce,

“The theme of this forum, YouthSpark Live: Empowering Youth, is a very important agenda of the Government under the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and the intellectual development of students are subjects very close to my heart. The Ministry welcomes the involvement of the private sector and NGOs to assist in making STEM education the preferred choice for our students. A STEM workforce is vital to growth of the country’s economy, and I believe the future of the nation will depend very much on the skills and knowledge that our young generation possess especially in the sciences, to sustain our country’s competitiveness and socio-economic wellbeing.”

Jasmine Begum, Director, Corporate, External & Legal Affairs, Microsoft Malaysia and Emerging Markets, echoed YB Dato’ P Kamalanathan’s sentiment,

From L to R:
Jasmine Begum, Director, Corporate External & Legal Affairs, Microsoft Malaysia; Prof Dr Pradeep Nair
Deputy Vice Chancellor, Taylor’s University; Yang Berhormat Dato’ P Kamalanathan, Deputy Minister of Education; Datin Rowena Florece Director, Human Resources, Microsoft Malaysia; and Michael Teoh Su Lim, a YouthSpark Icon and Founding Director & Lead Trainer, Thriving Talents

“At Microsoft, we believe every young person should have the opportunity to learn computer science, giving them the power not only to use, but also to create with technology. YouthSpark Live will discuss computer science being a fundamental skill for the next-generation workforce, and a skill that is valued by employers in every sector, not just technology.”

The event also addressed some of the emerging career opportunities and how youth can and should compete in an increasingly global economy. Nick Foong, Head of Youth Development & Communications, Generasi Gemilang explained,

“Generasi Gemilang’s mission is focused on four main pillars – community development, youth development, counselling and care, and strategic alliances, all of which serve to build human capital for a better tomorrow. Microsoft YouthSpark partnership and technology donations will help the Foundation reach over 1,200 youths across urban Malaysia and into the far interiors of East Malaysia. YouthSpark Live will identify the skills they need to reach their goals, figure out how technology will accelerate them forward, and get connected to programs that will help them get there.”

Microsoft YouthSparks is a platform for youth to learn about careers in technology, entrepreneurship, online safety, and today’s employment landscape. To date, it has created new opportunities for more than 227 million young people in over 100 countries around the world.

In other news, the were other 3 events under Microsoft Malaysia’s Philanthropy Week as well which are:-

From L to R:
Dr Raja Kumar Murugesan, Acting Dean, Taylor’s School of Computing and IT; Angela McKay, Director of the Government Security Policy and Strategy team, Trustworthy Computing, Corporate, External and Legal Affairs, Microsoft; Kaja Ciglic, Senior Cybersecurity Strategist, Trustworthy Computing, Corporate, External and Legal Affairs, Microsoft; Alecia Heng, President and Co-Founder, Gorgeous Geeks; and Melur Natasya Saufi, Board Member, PS The Children at the expert panel session

• [28 May – 12 June] Microsoft-Kidzania partnership – inculcating STEM amongst children
• [31 May] Tech4Good – empowering modern Malaysian NGOs with digital transformation
• [1 June] Expert panel on cybersecurity & vulnerable communities – catalyst for conversations on cybersecurity, diversity and inclusive technology

“At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Delivering on this mission starts with great technology, but great technology alone is not enough. Too many of technology’s benefits have yet to reach the people who need them. Through Microsoft Philanthropies, we're investing Microsoft’s strongest assets to drive greater inclusion and empowerment of people who do not have access to technology and the opportunities it offers and enables. As we do so, we will build on the foundation of Microsoft’s 30-plus years of giving, seeking new ways to achieve greater outcomes for a broader segment of the world’s population,” concluded K Raman, Managing Director of Microsoft Malaysia.

YB Senator Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, Deputy Minister of Women, Family & Community Development, receiving a token of appreciation from K Raman, Managing Director of Microsoft Malaysia, after delivering her keynote speech

To find out more about how Microsoft Philanthropies, please visit www.microsoft.com/about/philanthropies/.