Amman, February 2015 - Microsoft Jordan held at the Grand Hyatt Amman Hotel, an event aimed at discussing the latest programming technology advancements within the education and higher education sectors. The event brought together a host of Information Technology Managers and Chief Information Officers from several educational institutions across Jordan to introduce them to Microsoft’s cloud computing technology and demonstrate how it can be implemented within their respective organizations.

The event featured presentations and discussions on the newest socio-economic trends regarding the utilization of cutting-edge technologies, in addition to information communications technology (ICT) mega trends in higher education. Furthermore, Microsoft MEA Education Alliance Manager, Walid Mohamed, spoke about learning and education in the 21st century, and co-delivered with Microsoft Solution Sales Professional, Hadi Mehio, a presentation on the mechanism of the cloud. The event also included testimonials from academic organizations that have integrated cloud computing into their educational systems such as Al-Balqa' Applied University (BAU), which comprises 13 campuses including faculties in Irbid, Maan and Karak, as well as the main BAU faculty in Salt.

“Academic institutions are no longer able to overlook the vital role of advanced technology systems and programs in developing modern, interactive learning processes that were traditionally very rigid. Utilizing cloud computing guarantees that educators, students, researchers and administration members gain direct access to educational content, resources and other relevant data, thus ensuring faster and more effective performance. Organizing this event is closely aligned with our commitment to supporting the national plan for education across the Kingdom. It also corresponds with Microsoft Jordan’s efforts to advance education and job creation by extending our equipment, services and software in order to promote the integration of technology within the education field and positively impact the local community,” commented Hussein Malhas, Country Manager of Microsoft Jordan.

In turn, BAU Computer Center Manager, Dr. Abdulraheem Al-Zubaidi, expressed his pleasure at deploying the cloud computing technology at the university’s two data centers, which offer various electronic services to students, education committee and administration. “This step has helped us significantly reduce costs, especially given that we were considering establishing 13 data centers to serve the university’s multiple faculties. Microsoft’s cloud computing systems have eliminated this need and have presented us with many administrative benefits in terms of enhanced flexibility and easy access to data and references.”

Dr. Al-Zubaidi also discussed the key role of cloud computing in e-learning and online examinations in terms of helping avoid interface delays, time effectiveness, availability, accessibility and speed.

Microsoft’s cloud computing system is an open, flexible global platform that supports multiple languages, tools and frameworks. As such, Microsoft Jordan strives to encourage different academic institutions to integrate cloud computing into their learning processes, in line with efforts to ensure that the education sector remains on par with the latest technology innovations.