Zindagi Trust along with its partner Microsoft has opened up the first IT academy at Govt SMB Fatima Jinnah Girls Secondary School under Microsoft Partners in Learning (PIL) Program to support Government to train teachers and students on latest Microsoft technologies and products. Microsoft Regional Director for North Africa, Eastern Mediterranean and Pakistan (NEPA) Mr. Sherif Seddik along with Mr. Kamal Ahmed, Country Manager of Microsoft, Pakistan, Mr. Shehzad Roy, President, Zindagi Trust did the Inauguration.

Mr. Mustafa Kamal, City Nazim Karachi; Mr. Shafiq Ahmed Khusoo, Secretary Education Sind, Mrs. Fakhar Karim Siddiqui, EDO Education, Sind graced the occasion in support of the vision of Microsoft and Zindagi Trust for IT Education Development in Pakistan.

The main purpose of the establishment of Microsoft IT Academies is to achieve the objective of development of IT Education in Pakistan and to work for the underserved community to enable them to realize their full potential.

‘ I truly believe that this initiative by Microsoft and Zindagi Trust will bring healthy change in our Education standards and in the lives of the underserved people of Pakistan. Microsoft IT Academies and Digital Literacy Curriculum will greatly contribute to raise the IT Education level, both for the teachers and students at all levels.' stated Mr. Syed Mustafa Kamal, City Nazim, Karachi.

Mr. Shehzad Roy, President of Zindagi Trust, expressed that, ‘We are very much excited to work with Microsoft for fulfilling their long term commitment with the government for the development of IT Education in the country. Microsoft and Zindagi Trust together will continue their mission of reaching the underserved community to provide them with quality IT education'.

‘Microsoft provides necessary training and tools to create the social and economic opportunities that can transform communities. In Pakistan, our focus is to work with the education sector and equip them to adopt new curriculum, technologies and tools to build a knowledge economy for Pakistan. With our partners, we are able to offer a wide variety of educational resources, including tools, teacher-training programs, and best practices that broaden access to technology and help educators use technology more effectively for teaching and learning', said Mr. Sherif Seddik, Microsoft Regional Director for North Africa, Eastern Mediterranean and Pakistan (NEPA).

Mr. Shafiq Ahmed Khusoo, Secretary Education Sind said, “Establishment of IT Academies in Public schools is a great initiative by Microsoft through Zindagi trust. Microsoft initiatives of launching IT academies and curriculum support in government education facilities will truly benefit the teachers as well as students to enhance their IT skills and become more productive”.