Dubai, Microsoft, Tourists, Innovation

                                                           

http://www.business24-7.ae/cs/article_show_mainh1_story.aspx?HeadlineID=1602 Microsoft and Emirates sign deal

by Staff Writer on  Tuesday,January 29,2008

(SUPPLIED)                                          Microsoft and Emirates said they will set up an ‘Innovation Lab’ in Dubai to develop products and services for the travel industry.                             Both companies will invest in the project, which they say will tap into the software giant’s technologies and the carrier’s expertise and experience in developing IT solutions for the aviation sector.                             A statement said: “Microsoft will work with Emirates experts in the ‘Dubai Innovation Lab’, which will be among the first of its kind for both the companies in this field.                             “The lab will enable Emirates’ IT division, Mercator, to incubate and develop creative solutions for airline and travel customers around the world, including Emirates. Mercator’s IT solutions are today used by more than 100 airlines globally.”                             Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum (pictured above, right), Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates, and Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates (pictured above, left) witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding outlining the project during a meeting held in Dubai .                             “Innovation has been a cornerstone of Emirates’ success. By working with technology leader Microsoft to develop cutting-edge products and services, we are looking to reinforce our commanding position and continue to pioneer new ways to serve our customers,” said Sheikh Ahmed.                             The lab will take Microsoft’s latest technologies and apply them to the development of new ways of working across all parts of the travel and aviation industry – from reservations and check-in to cargo and ground handling systems.                             “Emirates airline has established a powerful reputation as a dynamic, forward-thinking company, and this agreement will strengthen this reputation further,” said Charbel Fakhoury, General Manager, Microsoft Gulf.                             “By adopting these next-generation technologies, the airline is setting an important precedent. The Gulf region has a massive potential to contribute to the global development of technology-driven innovations, and Emirates is leading the way.                             “Through the establishment of our Innovation Lab, Microsoft and Emirates airline will demonstrate how technology can play a defining role in enhancing business operations and customer experiences.”                             Through the lab, Emirates and Microsoft will explore implementation of technologies based on Microsoft software and hardware as well as online services.              Khaleej Times Online >> News >> THE U.A.E UAE, Microsoft in historic partnership By a staff reporter 28 January 2008  DUBAI — Microsoft Corporation joined hands with the Dubai Cares charity programme and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation yesterday to spread the latest knowledge technology for education and research purposes in the Arab world. The Dubai Cares-Microsoft Digital initiative was announced during a special signing ceremony attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates. The joint initiative will provide children with access to technology that will help develop the knowledge and skills necessary for students, teachers and communities within the next five years.  The programme is aimed at raising the level of computer literacy among school staff and parents in needy communities and help teachers foster a culture of innovation among students. The initiative will result in a dramatic increase in the availability of quality education and demonstrate how technology can enhance learning and improve educational systems in the least developed parts of the world. In the first phase, Microsoft will help establish Learning Resource C|e|n|t|r|e|s |that |s|er|ve |as community based e-learning hubs for students, teachers and communities. The next phase will enable Dubai Cares and governments concerned to launch targeted PC campaigns that will ensure an effective learning environment with the relevant software, capacity development and educational curricula. Microsoft founder Bill Gates met officials from the Dubai School of Government. Microsoft will also soon partner with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation to launch the Arab Education and Research Network, a first-ever knowledge portal in the Arab world.  Under an agreement signed between Gates and Mohammed Al Gergawi, Chairman of the Board of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, it has been agreed that Microsoft will provide state-of-the-art technology platform for collaborative research and knowledge creation in the Arab world. Microsoft will build the critical communications capabilities required for effective collaboration. These will include the latest knowledge sharing solutions, which will help develop an Arab Research Database and an extensive e-library. Microsoft’s world leading communication platforms, online chat and discussion boards, newsletters, and sites for blogging and social networking will also form a core of the project. This technology aims to boost the region’s capabilities and serve as a gateway to world-class knowledge, providing the right platform to encourage researchers and faculties contributing to the Arab knowledge development. The platform will facilitate communication and the exchange of information and knowledge among professors, researchers and academic institutions. It will also help construct a foundation for a data bank of digital Arabic research to provide a backbone for the Foundation’s initiatives. Microsoft in tie-up with EIA By a staff reporter ABU DHABI — Microsoft Corporation has entered into alliance with the Emirates Identity Authority (EIA) to enhance its technological capacity, besides providing developing human resources. This was stated by Microsoft Corporation Chairman Bill Gates during his keynote address at the Government Leaders Forum here. The technological support to the Emirates Identity Authority (EID) would help it secure personal data, more secure than on paper, he said.

Comments

[Hotels in Dubai]

Whats Gates doing there? I thought he had stepped down from heading Microsoft now? Or is he still the face of the company?