Dubai has become the region's "capital of technology" because it has attracted the world's top technology companies, the chief executive of Microsoft Corporation, the US software giant, said yesterday.

WAM
A memo stating that Microsoft would help Dubai develop software applications and fight piracy was signed by Shaikh Mohammad and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and the UAE Minister of Defence, received Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's chief executive, at Dubai Internet City yesterday.

Shaikh Mohammad stressed the need for Microsoft and Dubai's Government to work together. Ballmer praised Dubai's rapid economic development.

The meeting was attended by Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Economy and Planning, Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone, Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, chairman of Dubai Holding company, and other officials.

Later in the day, Microsoft and the Dubai Government signed a memorandum of understanding.

Khalfan Hareb, director of the Dubai Ruler's Court, signed for the Government, while Ballmer signed for Microsoft. According to the terms of the memorandum, the company will help Dubai develop software applications.

The company and the Government will work together to fight piracy as well.

Meanwhile, Microsoft yesterday launched three educational initiatives to strengthen IT education efforts in the Middle East.

"Students, teachers and communities around the Middle East stand to benefit from Microsoft's educational solutions," Ballmer said.

He spoke to participants in the Government Leaders Forum (GLF)-Arabia in Dubai.

"These three initiatives Learning Gateway for Higher Education, Information and Communication Technology [ICT] Digital Curriculum and the Innovative Teachers Network will give this region's educators, students and communities vital opportunities to learn new skills, share best practices and pioneer innovative education solutions through the region," Ballmer said.

All three education initiatives are available in Arabic.

They have been developed in partnership with stakeholders, including schools and government ministries, to ensure they are relevant to the needs of users in the region.

Speaking at the forum, Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mub-arak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Education, said: "We must educate boys and girls, men and women, well at every level and provide a broad base of knowledge, understanding and analytical capability.

"This will build the self-confidence that allows individuals to become risk-takers and innovators. Education allows us to make technology our productive servant.

"Ignorance allows technology to become our fearsome master."

The GLF-Arabia, which concluded yesterday, brought together more than 120 high-level government officials and business leaders from across the Middle East.

Microsoft is collaborating with 93 governments around the world to promote IT education, Ballmer said.

"Our five-year goal is to train more than 400,000 teachers to reach 15 million students. Over the last two years in the Middle East and Africa, we have trained more than 60,000 teachers and reached more than 270,000 students," he said.