Microsoft has partnered with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in an effort designed to identify the opportunities offered by Information and Communication Technology for governments to drive change. In this regard, the duo announced the UNESCO-Microsoft Task Force on Higher Education and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). According to the Redmond company, the task force will be responsible for putting together a strategic plan tailored to higher education institutions across the globe to prepare students for the growing challenge associated with economic stimulus efforts but also for the workforce needs of 21st century companies. The UNESCO World Conference on Higher Education acted as the stage where Microsoft and UNESCO announced the creation of the task force. The focus of the initiative is to drive the evolution of ICT in post-secondary teaching, but also in learning efforts and research initiatives. In this sense, the task force will analyze conclusions presented by the WCHE as well as feedback from organizations involved in education worldwide.
In addition, Microsoft explained that the task force as well as its own Education Alliance would serve as sources or resource packages designed to catalyze improvements for short-term higher education.
