Microsoft Malaysia announces Microsoft Virtual Academy to advance skills of Malaysian IT professionals and developers for free

Microsoft reaffirms partnership with the IT industry with MVA to offer free online training delivered by Microsoft experts, for high value, knowledge driven human capital with 21st century skills

PETALING JAYA, 14 November 2013 — In the PC-plus era marked by a world of devices and services, Microsoft is dedicated to advancing the development of IT professionals and developers, to help them transform Malaysia together through innovative technology. The launch of the Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA) in collaboration with the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) and Microsoft partners today, reiterates Microsoft’s commitment towards that cause. The MVA offers online Microsoft training delivered by experts to help technologists continually learn, with hundreds of courses, in 11 different language. The MVA is free of charge, and the entire service is hosted on Windows Azure, providing Malaysians the tools, knowledge and recognition they need to become IT heroes.

The MVA was launched at Microsoft’s Tech.Days event, which is an annual interactive gathering of local talents in software development to learn about the latest innovations in software development, software architecture and IT solutions. Speaking at the launch, Carlos Lacerda, Microsoft Malaysia’s Managing Director said that it was imperative for Microsoft to continue to work together with IT professionals as they were the backbone of technology companies, “Microsoft is committed to transforming Malaysia together by empowering developers, IT professionals and students with the tools and training needed through the Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA), offering free online training delivered by Microsoft experts. We believe that technology – encountered through devices and services like cloud computing – empowers individuals and businesses with the tools needed to be efficient and productive for the activities they value most. The key to this are the often unseen, underrated and unsung IT Heroes – professionals and developers, who often provide the backbone to enable IT for their users. Microsoft understands their role and is committed to being their partner and to empower them in the great work that they do.”

Carlos Lacerda, Managing Director, Microsoft Malaysia delivering his Welcome Address.

Also present at the launch event was Tim Park, Platform Strategy Director, Microsoft Corporation, who impressed on the key role that IT Professionals play in a world of devices and services, and how the MVA provided these individuals with a great resource in their path toward becoming IT Heroes, “Our mission is to continue to help developers, knowledgeable IT professionals and advanced students learn the latest technology, build their skills, and advance their careers. Developers and IT professionals alike can enhance their technical skills with more than 200 courses across 15 different technologies, including Windows Server 2012, Windows 8, HTML5, C# App Development, and other Microsoft technologies, and all this without costing anything to the IT professional. We’re offering this free continual learning opportunities because at Microsoft, we believe that IT professionals play an important role not just for their respective companies, but also as an IT enabler for their customers.”

Launch of the Microsoft Virtual Academy – (L-R):
• (L) - Muhammad Imran Kunalan Abdullah, Head of Talent Division, Multimedia Development Corporation
• (R) - Carlos Lacerda, Managing Director, Microsoft Malaysia

Microsoft reaffirms partnership with IT industry for high value, knowledge driven human capital with 21st century skills

The MVA not only provides hundreds of comprehensive courses on Microsoft technologies, it provides a path towards becoming an IT Hero, providing certification and recognition for their IT skills through the company’s partnership with MDeC. Muhammad Imran Kunalan Abdullah, Head of Talent Division, MDeC, who co-launched the MVA with Lacerda elaborated, “We’re proud to work together with Microsoft because we believe this partnership serves to develop a high value, knowledge driven human capital with 21st century skills that are practical and relevant to the local economy and industry needs. Microsoft provides the professional courses and we provide funding for working professionals aspiring to acquire professional certification in the ICT industry, through our MyProCert program.”

Group photo with Multimedia Development Corporation and Microsoft Malaysia at the launch of the Microsoft Virtual Academy – (L-R):
• Dinesh Nair, Director of Developer and Platform Evangelism, Microsoft Malaysia 
• Tim Park, Platform Strategy Director, Microsoft Corporation
• Wan Murdani Mohamad, Director, Digital Enablement Division, Multimedia Development Corporation
• Carlos Lacerda, Managing Director, Microsoft Malaysia
• Muhammad Imran Kunalan Abdullah, Head of Talent Division, Multimedia Development Corporation

The MyProCert programme is a one-stop catalytic programme aimed at accelerating the upskilling of Malaysian professionals in efforts to support the national economic transformation into a knowledge driven, high value economy. MyProCert is an incentive based programme for working professionals aspiring to acquire professional certification in ICT industry.

The MyProCert programme is divided into three categories:
1. Strategic Reform Initiatives (SRI) is a partnership with Performance Management and Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) to up-skill and upgrade Malaysian professionals: participants of the programme will receive a minimum reduction of up to 25% off the usual certification fees, while the government will reimburse between 25-30% of the total fees to the companies which sponsor their employees, and individuals who pass the required certification examination.

2. Data Centre (DC) - specifically designed for employees of MSC Malaysia data centre companies and provides a reimbursement of up to RM15,000 per participant.

Concurring with Muhammad Imran, Lacerda reiterated the bigger picture strategy of the MVA and its role in enticing the nation’s image to investors, “Microsoft believes a talented, highly skilled-tech workforce equipped with practical and relevant 21st century skills is the foundation for the country to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and position the country as a regional and global hub for multinational corporations (MNCs). With 20 years in Malaysia, we believe Microsoft is the best partner to IT pros to help them achieve this and support the nation’s drive to developing high-value, knowledge-driven human capital.”