Microsoft supports for Community technology learning centres in rural India

World's largest software company, Microsoft and < ?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Delhi based Indian Society of Agribusiness Professionals, a not-for-profit organization that undertakes livelihood promotion activities for the rural community are working together for an innovative project of community technology learning centres (CTLCs).< ?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Microsoft and Indian Society of Agribusiness Professionals are working together to set up CTLCs at 350 villages to provide training in IT skills to rural area. The project is part of Microsoft's Unlimited Potential Programme. According to P.V. Thomas, Chairman, ISAP, Microsoft will provide software and partial financial help to implementing agency ISAP for the technology training in Parbhani, Aurangabad, Jalna, Sangli, Beed, Latur and Jalgaon villages. ISAP trainers have already done such training programmes in such 60 centres. The total cost of the project is INR 4.5 crore, in which Microsoft is contributing INR 1.5 crore for the syllabus of course, certification of participants at the end of the training.